Unit 2

# 

Background of

Federal Disaster Assistance

# Check Your Knowledge {#check-your-knowledge .CYK}

#  {#section-1 .CYK}

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ![](media/ima          | 1.  The Stafford Act gives FEMA the         |
| ge1.wmf){width="1.6in" |     authority to manage disaster            |
| height="               |     assistance.                             |
| 1.7465277777777777in"} |                                             |
|                        |     True\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ False\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | 2.  What is the minimum Federal/State       |
|                        |     cost-share formula for Public           |
|                        |     Assistance?                             |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | 3.  What are three significant dates and    |
|                        |     events in the development of disaster   |
|                        |     assistance?                             |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | 4.  List the three disaster assistance      |
|                        |     programs authorized in the Stafford     |
|                        |     Act.                                    |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | 5.  What is the mission of FEMA?            |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

# **Check Your Knowledge**

#  {#section-2 .CYK}

**Answers**

#  {#section-3 .CYK}

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| ![               | 1.  True.                                         |
| ](media/image2.g |                                                   |
| if){width="1.354 | 2.  75%/25%.                                      |
| 1666666666667in" |                                                   |
| height="1.25in"} | 3.  Significant dates and events:                 |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   1950---Federal Disaster Relief Act passed.    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   1969---Disaster Relief Act of 1969 passed.    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   1974---Disaster Relief Act of 1974 passed.    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   1979---FEMA created by President Carter.      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   1988---Stafford Act passed.                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   2000---Disaster Mitigation Act passed.        |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   2003---FEMA becomes part of the Department of |
|                  |     Homeland Security.                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | 4.  Individual Assistance, Public Assistance,     |
|                  |     Hazard Mitigation.                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | 5.  To provide disaster assistance to individuals |
|                  |     and communities and to reduce the impact of   |
|                  |     future events.                                |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

![](media/image3.wmf){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="4.273611111111111in"}

**Background of**

**Federal Disaster Assistance**

**Overview**

Federal disaster assistance legislation and programs have been evolving
since 1950. Through legislation, a variety of disaster relief programs
have been established and a wide range of needs addressed. This unit
highlights the milestones of Federal disaster assistance development.

Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   List three significant dates in the development of disaster       |
|     assistance programs.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Describe the function and purpose of the Stafford Act.            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Identify three sources of guidance and policy for the Department  |
|     of Homeland Security (DHS).                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Background**

Prior to 1950, there was no comprehensive disaster program. Disaster
recovery was funded by Congress on an incident-to-incident basis.
Starting in 1950 and continuing to the present, disaster relief has been
provided for through a series of legislative acts. The following
timeline shows the succession:

**Public Law 81-875** was significant for a number of reasons. Funding
was authorized for a disaster relief program rather than a
single-incident response. The responsibility for determining when
Federal disaster relief is required was transferred from Congress to the
President. The basic philosophy of Federal disaster relief was developed
establishing that Federal assistance is supplemental to State and local
resources. The basis for later legislation on cost-sharing between
Federal and State or local governments was put into place. Provisions
were made for emergency repairs to or temporary replacement of essential
public facilities. Aid was provided only to State and local governments.

![](media/image4.wmf){width="1.7847222222222223in"
height="1.2784722222222222in"}

Nearly 20 years later, the **Disaster Relief Act of 1969** was passed.
This law introduced the concept of the Federal Coordinating Officer
(FCO), and placed the management of Federal disaster relief under one
individual who was appointed by the President.

In April 1974, there was a series of devastating tornadoes that hit six
Midwestern States. This confirmed the need to add individual and family
assistance to the disaster relief program. As a result, the **Disaster
Relief Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-288)** was established. Under this
law:

-   The Individuals and Households Grant Program is available.

-   Federal and State disaster relief operations are conducted on a
    partnership basis, and a State Coordinating Officer (SCO) works
    jointly with an FCO.

-   Federal assistance supports local, Tribal, and State activities and
    resources.

-   Assistance is contingent upon a Presidential Declaration.

In **1979, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)** was created
by executive order of President Carter and was established for the
purpose of providing disaster assistance to individuals and communities.
FEMA was given the role of coordinating Federal, State, Tribal, and
local efforts when a Federal disaster is declared. FEMA was tasked with
the mission of reducing loss of life and property, protecting critical
infrastructure, and organizing and supporting a comprehensive emergency
management plan.

Before 1981, the Public Assistance (PA) Program, which provided disaster
assistance to State and local governments, was in the form of a
100-percent Federal grant. The response to the eruption of Mount St.
Helens in May 1980 was the first administrative implementation of a
75-percent Federal and 25-percent State and local cost sharing of
disaster expenses. This response was the first step toward a
cost-sharing, full-partnership concept of managing disaster response and
recovery.

![](media/image5.wmf){width="1.7555555555555555in" height="1.4125in"}

During the 1980s, the Senate expressed concern about the use of disaster
authority for responding to non-natural disasters or emergencies such as
managing the Cuban refugee influx and the Three Mile Island incident.
The Three Mile Island incident, as well as a number of perceived
deficiencies, stimulated Congress to review disaster programs. Over the
next several years, legislation was initiated to change Public Law
93-288.

![](media/image6.wmf){width="1.75625in" height="1.4513888888888888in"}

In November **1988, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency** **Assistance Act** was passed. This act provided a framework
for continued disaster relief and provided the authority for FEMA's role
in managing Federal disaster assistance. It also legislated a minimum
75-percent Federal/25-percent State and local cost sharing for the PA
Program. The Stafford Act refocused assistance for non-natural
disasters, unless caused by fire, flood, or explosion, to a more limited
scope. It also confirmed the importance of individual assistance and
added an emphasis on mitigation of future losses.

Key features of the act are:

-   State, Tribal, and local governments have the primary responsibility
    to respond to a disaster.

-   Federal assistance is designed to supplement the efforts and
    available resources of State, Tribal, and local governments, and
    voluntary relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss,
    hardship, or suffering resulting from a disaster.

-   FEMA may task any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to
    provide assistance to State, Tribal, and local disaster efforts in a
    declared disaster.

Disaster assistance programs included in the Stafford Act are:

-   Individual Assistance (IA), in the form of individual and household
    grants and temporary housing.

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-   PA, including grants for emergency work, repair and restoration, and
    debris removal.

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-   Mitigation grants, to reduce long-term risk to life and property
    from natural or technological disasters.

Congress amended the Stafford Act in October 1993 to expand the scope of
mitigation to include acquisition of properties in floodplains. An
October 1994 amendment incorporated most of the former Civil Defense Act
of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App., into the Stafford Act. This amendment allows
FEMA to implement an all-hazards approach to preparedness.

The **Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000** further modified the Stafford
Act to establish a national program for pre-disaster mitigation,
streamline administration of disaster relief, and control Federal costs
of disaster assistance.

In **2003, FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security**
**(DHS)** established by President Bush in 2002. DHS was reorganized on
July 12, 2005, with FEMA as a stand-alone agency within the department,
responsible for the response and recovery to Incidents of National
Significance reporting directly to the DHS Director.

Guidance, standards, policy, and procedures for DHS agencies are set
forth in the **National Incident Management System** **(NIMS),** the
**National Response Plan (NRP),** and the **Incident Command System
(ICS).**

**Summary**

Disaster assistance has been evolving since 1950. Public Law 81-875 was
the first legislation to address disaster relief in a broad, ongoing
way. Since then, numerous laws and amendments have been passed to ensure
systematic disaster assistance. A key piece of this disaster legislation
was the Stafford Act which guides all Federal disaster relief and
authorizes FEMA to manage Federal disaster assistance. Since its
incorporation into DHS, FEMA is guided by the department standards,
policies, and procedures set forth in NIMS, the NRP, and ICS.