This paper examines emergency management in the United States, arguing that federal and state agencies are better equipped to handle disaster relief than local authorities acting alone. It analyzes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), its legislative authority, staffing capacity, and technological resources. It also profiles the New York State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as a representative state-level agency, illustrating how even state bodies depend on federal support to fulfill their missions. The paper further addresses the consequences of Homeland Security budget cuts on state and local first responders, ultimately concluding that an integrated federal–state approach produces the most effective emergency management outcomes.
When disaster strikes, a government must be ready to mobilize any resources necessary and remedy the situation, whether the cause is a tornado, a hurricane, an earthquake, or any other natural or manmade event. Emergency management is thus vital to a government's policy of quick action. Sometimes emergency management is undertaken by local authorities, who are the first responders on the scene, but these agencies cannot command the kinds of resources that a national government or a national or international agency can provide. Since local authorities are not capable of supplying the best resources for undertaking critical disaster relief, this paper proposes utilizing federal and state entities and examines emergency management from a national government perspective to show the superiority of such management over purely local emergency responses.
The federal government agency in charge of emergency management and response is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA's mission is to support United States citizens and first responders "to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards." FEMA recognizes that disaster can strike anywhere and take many forms, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism. The agency therefore ensures that its mission encompasses all these disaster types in a comprehensive way, while still leaving room for the specific treatment each event requires based on priorities determined at the disaster site.
FEMA's authority derives from the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, signed in 1988, which amended the 1974 act and authorizes FEMA to respond to activities within its jurisdiction. The organization is now part of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Homeland Security Act further cements its mandate and authority. Additionally, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act ensures that the federal agency will be better prepared should a similarly catastrophic disaster occur again — a necessary reform given the widely criticized inadequacy of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA acts in situations within its jurisdiction, which include national-scale disasters and international terrorist acts such as the September 11, 2001 attacks. In other cases, state governments should, in partnership with federal agencies, manage disaster response. One clear advantage FEMA holds is its workforce of over 3,700 full-time employees, who can ensure speedy, organized disaster relief. As part of the federal government, and through its partnerships with the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations, FEMA also commands superior resources — technological and otherwise. Local agencies, by contrast, typically lack access to the latest technologies, which can significantly hamper their response effectiveness.
"New York OEM's mission and reliance on federal aid"
"Budget cuts strain state and local first responders"
This paper has analyzed emergency management and established that the most important relief response happens at the federal level, though this cannot take place without the first responders at state levels. Local governments cannot obtain the most up-to-date technology or attract the most qualified personnel, and they must inevitably rely on federal agencies for support. It is therefore prudent to begin with federal agencies and federally aided state agencies, which together are better positioned to address emergency management comprehensively and effectively.
You’re 52% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.