FEMA Acronyms, 

Abbreviations and Terms

A Capability Assurance Job and Field Aid

July 2023 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

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FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

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Table of Contents

Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ......................................................................................... 1

#: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms .......................................................................................... 1

A: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ........................................................................................... 1

B: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ....................................................................................... 38

C: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ....................................................................................... 48

D: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ....................................................................................... 99

E: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms...................................................................................... 123

F: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 149

G: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 172

H: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 181

I: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ....................................................................................... 196

J: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 226

K: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 233

L: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 235

M: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms .................................................................................... 247

N: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 270

O: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 306

P: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 321

Q: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 349

R: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 351

S: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 372

T: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 405

U: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................... 423

V: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 434

W: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms .................................................................................... 439

X: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 447

Y: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 448

Z: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms ...................................................................................... 448
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

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Addendums ........................................................................................................................... 451

1. Acronym of Emergency Management Offices and Agencies for U.S. States, Commonwealths, 

District of Columbia and Territories ............................................................................ 451

2. The 32 Core Capabilities Identified in the National Preparedness Goal ............................ 454

3. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act: Public Law 93-288, as 

amended, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq., and Related Authorities United States Code, Title 

42. The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 68. Disaster Relief-FEMA 592, August 

2016 ........................................................................................................................... 455

4. Common Conversion Factors ............................................................................................. 460

5. Phonetic Alphabet – U.S. Military ....................................................................................... 463

6. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Regional Offices ............................................ 460

7. FEMA Training Organizations ............................................................................................. 461

8. List of Major Department of Homeland Security Organizational Websites ........................ 462
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

1 

Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

#: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

# Number Symbol 

2D Two-Dimensional 

2SR Second Stage Review 

4WD Four-Wheel Drive

A: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

A Ampere

AA

 Administrative Assistant

 Allocation Authority

 Applicant Assistance

 Approval Authority

 Assembly Area 

 Atomic Absorption

A/A  Assistant Administrator 

 Acquisition Authority 

AAA

 Agriculture Adjustment Act

 American Ambulance Association

 Area Agency on Aging

 Authentication, Authorization and Accounting

AAACE Airport Access Authorization to Commercial 

Establishments

AAAE American Association of Airport Executives

AABB American Association of Blood Banks

AAC  Air Ambulance Company 

 Applicant Assistance Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

2 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AACES Automated, Adaptive Chemical Examination 

System

AACN Advanced Automatic Collision Notification

AACS Automated Access Control System

AAD Assistant Associate Director

AADPIA Assistant Associate Director for Public and 

Intergovernmental Affairs

AADR Age-Adjusted Death Rate 

AA&E Arms, Ammunition and Explosives 

AAEC Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team 

AAEI American Association of Exporters and 

Importers

AAER Average Annual Erosion Rate

AAFAS Automated Airborne Flight Alert System

AAML Agency Aviation Military Liaison

AAMS Automated Acquisition Management System

AAMVA American Association of Motor Vehicle 

Administrators

AANHPI Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific 

Islander

AANS Alert and Accountability Notification System

AAO  Alternate Approving Official 

 Antarctic Oscillation 

AA ORR Associate Administrator, Office of Response and 

Recovery

AAP American Academy of Pediatrics

AAPA American Association of Port Authorities

AAPD American Association of People with Disabilities

AAPI Asian American and Pacific Islander
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

3 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AAR

 After-Action Report

 After-Action Review

 Area at Risk 

 Association of American Railroads

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials

AAU Association of American Universities

AAVLD American Association of Veterinary Laboratory 

Diagnosticians

ABA

 American Bar Association

 American Baptist Association 

 Annual Budget Authorization 

 Architectural Barriers Act

ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments

ABC

 Airway, Breathing, Circulation

 American Baptist Churches

 Atomic, Biological and Chemical 

ABCI Arizona Border Control Initiative

ABCO Automated Billing and Collection Offsets

ABD Air Bridge Denial

ABEL Agent-Based Economic Laboratory

ABF Automatic Broadcast Feed

ABFE Advisory Base Flood Elevations

ABHS Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer

ABI Airborne Illness 

ABIH American Board of Industrial Hygiene

ABIS Automated Biometric Identification System 

(Department of Defense [DOD]) (see IDENT) 

ABM Anti-Ballistic Missile

ABMC American Battle Monuments Commission
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

4 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ABNCP Airborne Command Post

ABO Agents of Biological Origin

ABRO Aircraft Base Radio Operator

ABS Arson and Bomb Squad

ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council

AC

 Active Component (of the United States

Military-DOD) 

 Advisory Committee

 Alternating Current (electrical)

 Area Command

 Area Coordinator 

ACA

 Affordable Care Act 

 Airspace Control Authority 

 Alternate Command Authority 

ACAA  Air Carrier Association for Americans

 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm 

ACAC Area Command Aviation Coordinator

ACADA Automatic Chemical Agent Detection and Alarm

ACAMS Automatic Continuous Air Monitoring System

ACAP  Agency-wide Corrective Action Program

 Alien Criminal Apprehension Program

ACBIRC Advanced Chemical/Biological Integrated 

Response Course

ACC

 Agency Command Center

 Air Combat Command

 American Chemistry Council

 Aviation Command Center

ACCOE Accessibility Compliance Center of Excellence 

(Department of Homeland Security [DHS]) 

ACCS Accounting Classification Code Structure
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

5 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ACCT  Account

 Accounting Technician

ACDA United States Arms Control and Disarmament 

Agency

ACDP Aircraft Dispatcher

ACDR Area Commander

ACE

 Accumulated Cyclone Energy

 Army Corps of Engineers 

 Assistant Chief of Engineers 

 Atmosphere, Climate and Environment

 Automated Construction Estimate/Estimator

ACEC Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

(Bureau of Land Management)

ACES Automated Construction Estimate System 

ACF

 Administration for Children and Families 

(United States Department of Health and 

Human Services [HHS]) 

 Alternate Care Facility

 Alternate Control Facility

ACFM Advanced Certified Floodplain Manager

ACFT Aircraft 

ACGIH American Council of Government Industrial 

Hygienists

ACH Automated Clearing House

AChE Acetylcholinesterase (inhibition of this enzyme 

is targeted by nerve agents) 

ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

ACI

 Advanced Contracting Initiative

 Air Curtain Incinerator

 Airborne Control Intercept

 Airports Council International

 Approved Course of Instruction
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

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Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ACI/NA Airports Council International/North America

ACICIP Advisory Committee on International 

Communications and Information Policy

ACINT Acoustic Intelligence

ACIP

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

[CDC]) 

ACIS Aviation Credential Interoperability Solution

ACK Acknowledgement 

ACL  Access Control List

 Administration for Community Living (HHS)

ACLC Assistant Area Commander, Logistics 

ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support 

ACM Asbestos-Containing Material 

ACMR  Adjusted Collapse Margin Ratio 

 Assistant Cache Manager

ACN Alerting and Coordination Network 

ACO

 Administrative Contracting Officer

 Agency Claims Officer

 Agency Collection Officer

 Animal Control Officer

ACP

 Access Control Points

 Airspace Control Plan 

 Alternate Command Post

 Area Command Post

 Area Contingency Plan

ACPC Assistant Area Commander, Plans 

ACPSEM Advisory Council on Professional Standards for 

Emergency Managers

ACQ Acquisition 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

7 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ACR

 Acreage Conservation Reserve

 Advance Confirmation Report

 Adverse Condition Report

 Agency Confirmation Report

ACS

 Access

 Access Control System 

 Adventist Community Services

 Alternate Command Staff 

 American College of Surgeons 

ACSD Advanced Container Security Device 

ACSDR Adventist Community Services Disaster 

Response

ACSI American Customer Satisfaction Index

ACSM American Congress of Surveying and Mapping

ACT

 Action and Concurrence Tracker 

 American Council for Technology

 Analysis Control Team 

 Area Command Team

ACT FAST Agent Characteristics Toxicity - First Aid and 

Special Treatment

ACTD Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration

ACTY Activity

ACV  Actual Cash Value

 Alarm Check Valve (fire sprinkler system)

ACVDS Advanced Chemical Vapor Detection System 

Project 

ACVP Airline Certificate Vetting Program

ACWG Air Cargo Working Group
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

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Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AD

 Active Directory

 Addendum 

 Administratively Determined

 Assistant Director

 Associate Director 

A/D  Analog/Digital

ADA

 Aerial Damage Assessment 

 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

 Actual Date of Arrival 

 Anti-Deficiency Act

A/DACG  Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group

ADAD Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Advisor 

ADAMS Automated Disaster Assistance Management 

System

ADASHI Automated Decision Aid System for Hazardous 

Incidents

ADASP Aviation Direct Access Screening Program

ADCIRC Advanced Circulation (computer model for 

storm surges, flooding tides) 

ADD

Obsolete: Automated Deployment Database

Replaced by: Deployment Tracking System 

(DTS) 

ADDIE Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation 

and Evaluation

ADDL Additional 

ADDO Assistant Deputy Director for Operations 

ADDS

Obsolete: Automated Disaster Deployment 

System

Replaced by: Deployment Tracking System 

(DTS)

ADF Automatic Direction Finder

ADFMO Assistant District Fire Management Officer 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

9 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ADFR Arson Detection for the First Responder

ADGGS Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical 

Surveys

ADIS  Arrival and Departure Information System

 Automatic Data Interchange System 

ADIZ Air Defense Identification Zone

ADJ

 Adjudication 

 Adjustable

 Adjutant 

ADL  Activities of Daily Living 

 Automated Distance Learning

ADM

 Acquisition Decision Memorandum

 Admiral

 Administrative/Administrator

 Admissions

ADMIN  Administration

 Administrative/Administrator

ADMSYS Admissions System

ADO  Airport District Office

 Assistant Disbursing Officer 

ADOC

Appeal Document Request Letter - Individual 

Assistance Program (Federal Emergency 

Management Agency [FEMA]) 

ADO Team Assistant Disbursing Officer Team

ADOS Automated Document Ordering System

ADP Automated Data Processing

ADPAC Animal Disaster Planning Advisory Committee 

ADPE Automated Data Processing Equipment

ADR

 Address

 Alternative Dispute Resolution

 American Disaster Reserve
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

10 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ADRA Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 1990

ADRS Automated Disaster Reporting System

ADSP Administrative Specialist 

ADT Admit, Discharge, Transfer HL7 (software 

patient tracking system) 

ADTS Automated Data Telecommunications Service

ADVISE Analysis, Dissemination, Visualization, Insight 

and Semantic Enhancement 

ADVON Advanced Echelon

AE

 Advance Evaluation 

 Adverse Event

 Aeromedical Evacuation 

 After-Effects 

 American Embassy

 Architects and Engineering

 Area Effect

 Auxiliary Equipment 

A&E  Accident and Emergency Department 

 Architectural and Engineering

AEA  Actual Expenses Allowed

 Approved Enforcement Agency 

AEAO Assistant External Affairs Officer

AEAS Automated Exercise and Assessment System

AEBM Advanced Engineering Building Module 

AEC

 Agency Emergency Coordinator

 Area Emergency Coordinator 

 Obsolete: Atomic Energy Commission

Replaced by: United States Department of 

Energy (DOE) 

AECB Atomic Energy Control Board
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

11 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AECC

 Aero-Medical Evacuation Control Center

 Aero-Medical Evacuation Coordination 

Center

 American Evangelical Christian Church

AECE Aero-medical Evacuation Control Element

AECM Aero-medical Evacuation Crew Members

AED Automated External Defibrillator

AEGL Acute Exposure Guidelines Level

AEI Air Emissions Inventory (United States

Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]) 

AEC  Alaska Earthquake Center

AEL

 Acceptable Exposure Limit

 Adverse Effect Level

 Airborne Exposure Limit

 Authorized Equipment List 

AELT Aero-medical Evacuation Liaison Team

AEMER Alliance for Emergency Medical Education and 

Research

AEMSC Atlantic Emergency Medical Services Council

AEO Assistant Executive Officer 

AEOD Analysis and Evaluation of Operation Data

AEP

 Accelerated Encryption Processing 

 Airport Emergency Plan

 Annual Execution Plan

 Asia, Europe, Pacific 

 Association of Emergency Physicians

AES

 Advanced Encryption Standard

 Aero-medical Evacuation System

 Animal Emergency Sheltering 

 Automated Export System

 Automated Extinguishing System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

12 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AET Advance Evaluation Team 

AEW Airborne Early Warning

AF

 Acre Foot (volume measurement of water to 

cover one acre to a depth of one foot.)

 Administrative File 

 Air Force

 Air Freight

 Armed Forces

 Audio Frequency

AFA

 United States Air Force Academy 

 Automatic Fire Alarm

 Application for Adjustment 

AFB

 Air Force Base

 Application for Benefits 

 American Foundation for the Blind 

AFCEA Armed Forces Communications and Electronics 

Association

AFD Airport Facility Directory

AFEM Alliance for Fire and Emergency Management

AFEO Assistant Fire Equipment Operator 

AFEWES Air Force Electronic Warfare Evaluation 

Simulator

AFF Automated Flight Following 

AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam (used to extinguish 

petroleum or other flammable liquids fires) 

AFFIRM Association for Federal Information Resources 

Management

AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grant

AFGE American Federation of Government Employees

AFGWC Air Force Global Weather Central

AFIP Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

13 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AFIS Automated Fingerprint Information System 

AFL-CIO American Federation of Labor and Congress of 

Industrialized Organizations

AFM  Adjudicator’s Field Manual

 Administrative and Financial Management 

A&FM Aviation and Fire Management 

AFME Armed Forces Medical Examiner 

AFMIC Armed Forces Medial Intelligence Center

AFMLS Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section

AFMO Assistant Fire Management Officer

AFMS Automated Forms System

AFN Access and Functional Needs 

AFNSEP Air Force National Security Emergency 

Preparedness

AFO Area Field Office

AFOC Air Force Operations Center

AFOSC Air Force Operations Support Center

AFP Annual Funding Plan 

AFRAS Association for Rescue at Sea

AFRAT Air Force Radiation Assessment Team

AFRB Air Force Reserve Base

AFRCC Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

AFRES Air Force Reserve

AFRL Air Force Research Laboratory

AFRRI Armed Force Radiobiology Research Institute

AFSC Armed Forces Staff College

AFSOF Air Force Special Operations Forces

AFSPC Air Force Space Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

14 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AFSS Automated Flight Service Station

AFTAC Air Force Technical Applications Center

AFWA Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 

AG

 Adjutant General (National Guard)

 Agriculture

 Antigen 

 Attorney General

 Auditor General 

AGAR Alternate Governor’s Authorized Representative

AGAUS Adjutants General Association of the United 

States

AGC

 Agrochemicals 

 Air-to-Ground Communication 

 Associate General Counsel (legal counsel 

office)

AGCA Associated General Contractors of America

AGCR Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (nuclear reactor)

AGILE

 Advanced Generation of Interoperability 

Equipment for Law Enforcement 

 Advanced Geospatial Imagery Library 

Enterprise

AGL Above Ground Level

AGR Active Guard/Reserve

AGS Aviation Group Supervisor

AGV

 Aggregate Value

 Autonomous or Automated Guided Vehicle 

(mobile robots used in industrial or 

warehouse facilities) 

AGY Agency

AGZ Actual Ground Zero (center of a nuclear 

detonation)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

15 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AH

 Absolute Humidity (measurement of 

moisture in the air regardless of 

temperature) 

 Alternate Headquarters

 Hospital Ship (Auxiliary, Hospital)

AHA American Heart Association 

AHAM Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

AHCC Alternate Host Communications Center

AHG Ad Hoc Group

AHIMT All Hazards Incident Management Team

AHIMTA All Hazards Incident Management Teams 

Association 

AHJ Authority Having Jurisdiction 

AHMA American Hotel and Motel Association

AHP All Hazards Plan

AHRQ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 

(HHS)

AHT  Animal Health Technician

 Average Handle Time 

AHU Air Handling Unit

AHUA America Highway User Alliance

AHWG Ad Hoc Working Group 

AI Artificial Intelligence 

AI&H Assistance to Individuals and Households

AI2 Acquisition Improvement Initiative

AIA  American Institute of Architects

 American Insurance Association

AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

16 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AIATP Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Awareness Training 

Program

AIBS American Institute of Biological Sciences

AIC

 Access Identification Code 

 Animal Identification Coordinator

 Automated Inventory Control

AID

 Acute Infectious Disease 

 Aerial Ignition Device (National Wildfire 

Coordinating Group [NWCG]) 

 United States Agency for International 

Development (United States Department of 

State [DOS]) 

AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (see HIV) 

AIEE American Institute of Electrical Engineers 

AIF Assistance Information Form

AIG Address Indicating Group

AIR Assess, Inform, and Report

AIHEC American Indian Higher Education Consortium

AIHL

Obsolete: Army Industrial Hygiene Laboratory

Replaced by: United States Army Environmental 

Hygiene Agency (USAEHA)

AILA American Immigration Lawyers Association

AIMS

 Arson Information Management System

 Assess, Improve, Measure and Sustain 

 Automated Inventory Management System

AIP

 Agreement in Principle

 Airport Improvement Program

 Assisted Imaging Processing

AIPC All Indian Pueblo Council
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

17 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AIR

 Accident Incident Report 

 Adopt, Innovate and Respond 

 Airlines 

 Assess, Inform and Report 

AIREP Aircraft Report

AIREVAC Air Evacuation 

AIS

 Air Safety Investigator 

 Automatic Identification System

 Obsolete: Automated Information System

Replaced by: Automated Inventory Control 

(AIC)

AIT Aeromedical Isolation Team

AIXM Aeronautical Information Exchange Model 

AJ Administrative Judge 

AKA Also Known As

AKDT Alaska Daylight Time (GMT-8)

AKST Alaska Standard Time (GMT-9)

AL

 American Legion (United States veterans 

service organization)

 Applicant Liaison

ALA American Lifelines Association (National 

Institute of Building Sciences) 

ALARA As Low as Reasonably Achievable (radiation and 

radioactive material exposure)

ALB

Administration and Logistics Branch (United 

States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator 

Technology [US-VISIT]) 

ALC

 Administration and Logistics Center 

 Agency Location Code

 Agency Logistics Center

 Air Logistics Center 

 Annual Letter of Certification
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

18 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ALCC  Airlift Coordination Cell

 Airlift Control Center

ALCE Airlift Control Element

ALCOM Alaskan Command

ALCON All Concerned 

ALDS Automatic Lightning Detection System

ALE  Additional Living Expenses

 Automatic Link Establishment

ALERT Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time

ALICE Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate 

ALO Air Liaison Officer 

ALOF Assistant Liaison Officer 

ALOHA Aerial Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres

ALPA Airline Pilots Association

Alpha Phonetic Alphabet for A 

ALS

 Advanced Life Support

 Airborne Laser Survey 

 Alternate Landing Site 

 Analytical Laboratory System (United States 

Army) 

 Approach and Landing System 

ALSM Airborne Laser Swath Mapping (aka “LIDAR”)

ALT  Alternate 

 Altitude 

ALTRETCO Alternate Regional Emergency Transportation 

Coordinator

AM

 Amplitude Modulation (radio frequency)

 Ante Meridiem (from midnight to noon = 12 

hours)

 Aviation Mechanic 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

19 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

A&M Air and Marine (United States Customs and 

Border Protection [CBP]) 

AMA  Against Medical Advice 

 American Medical Association

AMAP Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme 

AMB

 Administrative Management Branch

 Air and Marine Branch (ICE)

 Ambassador

 Ambulance 

AMBUS Ambulance Bus

AMC

 Air Mobility Command

 Army Materiel Command

 America Mexico And Canada 

AMCCOM Armament Munitions and Chemical Command

AMD

 Acquisition Management Division

 Air and Missile Defense 

 Army Medical Department 

AMEAGS Automated Major Emergency Action Guidelist 

System

AMEDD Army Medical Department 

AMF Alternative Morgue Facility

AMGS  Air and Marine Group Supervisor

 Air Mission Group Supervisor

AMHS Automated Message Handling System

AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction 

AMID Air and Marine Interdiction Division

AMINESKAL American Indian Eskimo Aleutian

AMIO Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations

AML  Airfield Marking and Lighting 

 Army Medical Laboratory 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

20 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AMMG Air Mission Coordination Manager 

AMO Air and Marine Operations (DHS/United States 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE]) 

AMOC Air and Marine Operations Center

AMP

 Advanced Medical Post

 Agency Management Plan 

 Amperage

 Amputation 

AMPS Automated Message Processing System

AMR

 Agricultural Mitigation and Restoration

 Air Movement Request 

 Antimicrobial Resistance 

 Appropriate Management Response

AMRS All Hazards Meteorological Response System 

AMS

 Aerial Measuring System

 American Meteorological Society

 Atmospheric Monitoring System

 Atomic Mass Spectrometry 

 Automated Manifest System

AmSam American Samoa 

AMS/C Area Maritime Security/Committee 

AMSLAN American Sign Language

AMSP  Administration Specialist 

 Area Maritime Security Plan

AMT Amount

AMTL Administrative Task Force Leader, Public 

Assistance 

AMTOR Amateur Telegraphy Over Radio

AMWA Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

21 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AN  Above Normal

 Account Number 

A/N  Alert and Notification

ANACI Access National Agency Check and Inquiry

ANAD Anniston Army Depot

ANCA Anniston Chemical Activity

ANCDF Anniston Chemical Disposal Facility

ANFAZD Academic Network for Foreign Animal and 

Zoonotic Disease

ANFO Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (industrial 

explosive)

ANG  Air National Guard

 Army National Guard

ANG-CAT Air National Guard-Crisis Action Team 

ANGB Air National Guard Base

ANI  American Nuclear Insurers

 Area Not Included

ANL Argonne National Laboratories

ANMCC Alternate National Military Command Center 

ANN Annual 

ANOC Association of National Olympic Committees 

ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition 

(technology for reading vehicle number plates) 

ANPRM Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

ANPSC Alternate National Processing Service Center

ANRC American National Red Cross

ANS

 Adaptable Navigation System 

 Alert and Notification System

 Answer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

22 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ANSC Auxiliary National Supply Center 

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ANSI-HSSP American National Standards InstituteHomeland Security Standards Panel

ANX Anthrax 

ANZUS Australia, New Zealand and United States

AO

 Action Officer 

 Administrative Officer

 Approving Official 

 Area of Operations

 Assistance Officer

 Authorizing Official 

AOA

 Administration on Aging (HHS)

 Air Operations Area 

 Alive On Arrival 

 Aviation Operations Area

AOAC Association for Official Analytical Communities

AOB Air Operations Branch

AOBD Air Operations Branch Director

AOBS Aerial Observer

AOC

 Air Operations Center 

 Aircraft Operating Center (National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]) 

 Area of Concentration 

 Area of Concern

 Army Operations Center

AOCO Air Operations Coordinator 

AOI Area of Interest 

AOIC Acting Official in Charge

AOIC Additional Operational Issues and Criteria 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

23 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AoMI Areas of Mitigation Interest 

AOO Area of Operations 

AOP

 Advanced Operations Plan

 Annual Operating Plan

 Area Operation Plan

AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

AOR

 Acknowledgement Of Receipt 

 Address of Record 

 Area of Responsibility

 Authorized Organizational Representative 

AOSSP Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program 

AOV Agency Owned Vehicle

AP

 Aerial Port

 Alternate Power

 Armor Piercing (ammunition) 

 Arrival Point

 Assembly Point

 Associated Press

APA  Approvable Pending Adoption

 American Planning Association 

APC Animal Pest Control 

AP&CP Arson Prevention and Control Plan

APA

 Accident Prevention Analysis 

 Administrative Procedure Act (regulates how 

federal agencies may propose and establish 

regulations)

 American Planning Association

APAT Accident Prevention Analysis Team 

APC  Agency Program Coordinator

 Armored Personnel Carrier 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

24 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

APCO Association of Public Safety Communications 

Officials-International

APE Area of Potential Effect

APEX Adaptive Planning and Execution 

APG

 Acquisition Planning Guide 

 Advance Planning Group 

 Annual Performance Goals 

 Annual Planning Guidance 

 Automatic Password Generator 

APHA American Public Health Association

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHL Association of Public Health Laboratories

APHT Applied Public Health Team (United States 

Public Health Service) 

API  Air Pollution Index (EPA) 

 Avian and Pandemic Influenza 

APIS Advance Passenger Information System (DHS)

APL

 Animal Protective League

 Annex Planning Leaders

 Anti-Personnel Landmines

 Application 

APLS Advanced Pediatric Life Support 

APMB Acquisition and Program Management Branch 

(US-VISIT)

APMG Accountable Property Manager 

APO

 Accountable Property Office 

 Accountable Property Officer 

 Animal Protection Officer 

 Army and Air Force Post Office 

 Authorized Personnel Only 

 Auxiliary Police Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

25 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

APOD Aerial Port of Debarkation

APOE Aerial Port of Embarkation

APP

 Apparatus

 Applicant

 Application

 Approach (Aircraft and Aviation) 

APPA American Public Power Association 

APPN  Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking 

 Appropriation

APPT Appointment

APR

 Agency Procurement Review

 Air-Purifying Respirator

 Annual Progress Report 

APRN Advanced Practice Registered Nurses 

APRS Acquisition Purchasing Specialist 

APS

 Adult Protective Services 

 Air Purification System 

 Applicant Services 

 Auxiliary Power Supply 

APSO Asylum Pre-Screening Officer (DHS)

APSP  Accountable Property Specialist 

 Automated Passenger Screening Profile

APSRS Aerial Photography Summary Record System

APSS Automated Personnel Security System (DHS)

APT

 Administrative Payment Team

 Advanced Persistent Threat 

 Apartment 

 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity 

APTA American Public Transportation Associations
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

26 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

APTS  Airport, Port and Terminal Security

 Association of Public Television Stations

APVD Approved 

APW  Air-Pressurized Water Fire Extinguisher 

 Anti-Personnel Weapon 

APWA American Public Works Association

AQAS Acquisitions Quality Assurance Specialist 

AQI  Agricultural Quarantine Inspections

 Air Quality Index (EPA) 

AQMAL Air Quality Maintenance Area 

AQSP Acquisition Business Specialist 

AR

 Acknowledge Receipt

 Aerial Reconnaissance

 Arabic 

 Army Reserve 

 Assault Rifle 

 Augmented Reality 

ARA

 Associate Regional Administrator 

 Assistant Regional Administrator 

 Assigned Responsible Agency 

ARAA Advanced Radiological Accident Assessment

ARAC Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability

ARB

 Academic Review Board

 Administrative Review Board 

 Air Reserve Base

ArboNET Arboviral Disease Surveillance System (CDC)

ARC

 AIDS Related Complex 

 Airborne Radio Communications 

 American Red Cross (NGO)

 Appalachian Regional Commission 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

27 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ARCA Area Requiring Corrective Action

ARCHIE Automated Resource for Chemical Hazard 

Incident Evaluation

ARD

 Acute Respiratory Disease 

 Advanced Radiation Detection

 Associate Regional Director 

ARDA American Rescue Dog Association

AREAL Atmospheric Research and Exposure 

Assessment Laboratory

AREMA American Railway Engineering and 

Maintenance Right-of-Way 

AREP Agency Representative

ARES  Amateur Radio Emergency Services

 Anthrax Response Exercise Series 

ARF

 Action Request Form

 Adult Residential Facility 

 Aviation Route Forecast

ARFCAM Autonomous Rapid Facility Chemical Agent 

Monitor

ARFF Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting 

ARFI Areas Recommended for Improvement

ARFOR  Area Forecast 

 Army Forces

ARG Accident Response Group

ARI Acute Respiratory Infection

ARI Average Recurrence Interval 

ARIES Airborne Rapid Imagery for Emergency Support

ARIO Advanced Radiation Incident Operations

ARIP Accidental Release Information Program

ARJIS Automated Regional Justice Information System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

28 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ARL  Activities Result List

 Airborne Reconnaissance Low

ARL-M Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Multifunction

ARM  Aerial Radiological Monitor

 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement 

ARMS Automated Resource Management System 

ARNG Army National Guard

ARNGOPS Army National Guard Operations

A-ROC Alternate Regional Operations Center

ARP

 Administration and Resource Planning 

 Airport Reference Point 

 Alarm Resolution Protocols

ARPA  Advanced Research Projects Agency

 Archaeological Resources Protection Act 

ARPANET Advanced Research Projects Agency Network

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

ARRAS Automatic Residential Remote Alarm System

ARRL American Radio Relay League

ARS

 Acute Radiation Syndrome

 Agricultural Research Service

 Air Rescue Service 

 Automatic Route Selection

ARSOF Army Special Operations Forces

ARSP Airborne Mission Systems Specialist

ARSR Air Route Surveillance Radar

ART

 Alternate Response Technologies 

 Anti-Retroviral Therapy 

 Awards Review Team

ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

29 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ARTS Audit Report Tracking System

ARV Anti-Retroviral (drugs used against retroviruses) 

ARWO Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Office

AS

 Applicant Services

 Ardent Sentry (NORTHCOM exercise) 

 Automatic Sprinkler

ASA

 Air Stagnation Advisory 

 American Society on Aging 

 As Soon As 

ASA (IE&E) Assistant Secretary of the Army/Installation, 

Energy and Environment

ASAC Aviation Security Advisory Committee

ASAP

 Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 

 All-Hazards Situation Assessment Prototype

 As Soon As Possible 

 Automated Secure Alarm Protocol

 Automated Standard Application for 

Payment

ASC

 Advanced Systems Center

 Anthrax Steering Committee (DHS) 

 Application Support Center

 Area of Special Consideration

ASCADS Automated Sorting, Conversion and Distribution 

System

ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers

ASCII American Standard Code for Information 

Interchange

ASCL Applicant Services Crew Leader 

ASCS Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 

Services
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

30 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ASD

 Accredited Standards Developer 

 Acoustic Surveillance Device

 Administrative Security Division

 Allowable Stress Design

 Assistant Secretary of Defense

ASD (HD) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland 

Defense)

ASD (SO/LIC) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special 

Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict) 

ASD NII Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks 

and Information Integration 

ASDAR Aircraft to Satellite Data Relay

ASDRC Automated Systems Disaster Recovery 

Capabilities

ASDSO Association of State Dam Safety Officials

ASDWA Association of State Drinking Water 

Administrators

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations 

ASFPM Association of State Floodplain Managers

ASGS Air Support Group Supervisor 

ASH Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS)

ASHA Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs (HHS)

ASHG Accident Site Health Group

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and 

Air-Conditioning Engineers

ASIA  Anti-Smuggling Investigators Association

 Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis

ASIANPACI Asian-Pacific Islander

ASIP Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection

ASIS American Society for Industrial Security
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

31 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ASIWPCA Association of State and Interstate Water 

Pollution Control Administrators

ASL  Above Sea Level

 American Sign Language

ASLB Atomic Safety and Licensing Board

ASM Air Support Manager

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASMG Aviation Support Manager

ASMRO Armed Services Medical Regulating Office

ASMT Assessment

ASN Advance Shipping Notification 

A&SO Administrations and Staff Offices 

ASOF Assistant Safety Officer

ASOS Automated Surface Observing System

ASP

 Advance Support Plan 

 Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (radiation 

detection technology) 

 Associate Safety Professional

 Aviation Security Program

ASPA American Society of Public Administration 

Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs

ASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 

to Animals

ASPE American Society of Professional Estimators

ASPECT

 Airborne Spectral Environmental Collection 

Technology

 Airborne Spectral Photographic 

Environmental Collection Technology

ASPHEP Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency 

Preparedness (HHS)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

32 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ASPR Administration for Strategic Preparedness and 

Response 

ASPR TRACIE

Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 

and Response - Technical Resources, 

Assistance Center and Information Exchange 

(HHS) 

ASPRS American Society of Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing

ASR

 Aquifer Storage Recovery

 Atmosphere Supplying Respirator

 Automatic Sprinkler Riser

ASSE American Society of Safety Engineers

ASSET Advanced Simulation and Software Engineering 

Technology

ASSN Association 

ASSP Applicant Services Program Specialist 

ASST  Assistance

 Assistant

AST

 Aboveground Storage Tank

 Accessible Systems and Technologies

 Aviation Survival Technician

ASTA American Society of Travel Agents

ASTC

 Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center 

 Assistance Client (individual assistance 

applicant database-FEMA) 

ASTHO Association of State and Territorial Health 

Officials

ASTI Airport Security Technology Integration

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTS Aeromedical Staging Squadron

ASTSWMO Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste 

Management Officials 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

33 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ASU All-Source Situational Understanding 

AT

 Advanced Technology

 Air Tanker 

 Anti-Terrorism

A/T  Air Tanker 

A-Team

 Advance Team (Emergency Management 

Assistance Compact) 

 Advisory Team for Environmental, Food and 

Health 

ATA

 Actual Time of Arrival

 Airline Transportation Association

 American Trucking Association

ATB Applied Technology Board

ATBM Air Tanker Base Manager

ATC  Air Traffic Control

 Air Transport Command (DOD) 

A-TCET

 Anti-Terrorism Combat Enforcement Team

 Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement 

Team

ATCO Air Tanker Coordinator

ATCT Air Traffic Control Tower

ATD

 Actual Time of Departure

 Advanced Technology Demonstration

 Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion

ATDI Advance Trade Data Initiative

ATDP Annual Training and Development Plan

ATDT Atlantic Daylight Time (GMT-3)

ATE  Actual Time En Route 

 Advanced Technological Education (NSF) 

ATEC United States Army Test and Evaluation 

Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

34 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ATF

United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms and Explosives (United States

Department of Treasury)

AT/FP Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection

ATH Air-Transportable Hospital

ATIM Aircraft Timekeeper 

ATIS Alliance for Telecommunications Industry 

Solutions

ATL

 Assistant Team Leader

 Atlantic 

 Attempt To Locate 

AT&L  Acquisition, Technology and Logistics

ATLS Advanced Trauma Life Support 

ATM

 AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (also known 

as the Global Fund)

 Air Transportation Management 

 Atmosphere 

 Automated Teller Machine

ATMU  Advanced Technology Meteorological Unit

 Air Transportable Modular Unit 

ATMWU Air Transportable Mobile Weather Unit

ATN Aeronautical Telecommunications Networks

ATO

 Administrative Time Off 

 Air Traffic Operations 

 Anti-Terrorism Officer 

ATON Aids to Navigation 

ATP

 Advance Threat Protection (cybersecurity) 

 Air Transit Program

 Authority to Participate

ATR Advanced Thermal Reactor

ATRAP Air Transportable RADIAC Package
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

35 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ATS

 American Trauma Society 

 Acquisition Tracking System 

 Air Traffic System 

ATSA Aviation and Transportation Security Act

ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease 

Registry (USPHS)

ATST Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4)

ATT  Anti-Terrorism Technologies

 Authorization to Test Letter 

ATTF Antiterrorism Task Force 

ATTN Attention

ATV All-terrain vehicle

ATWC

Obsolete: Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Replaced by: West Coast and Alaska Tsunami 

Warning Center (see WCATWC)

AU African Union 

AUH Attached Unit Housing

AUMF Authorization for the Use of Military Force

AUSA Assistant United States Attorney

AUTHN Authorization

AUTHY Authority

AUTO D Auto Determination 

AUTO REG Automobile Registration 

AUTO TITLE Automobile Title 

AUTODIN Automatic Digital Network

AUTOSEVOCOM

Obsolete: Automatic Secure Voice 

Communications Network

Replaced by: Defense Red Switch Network 

(DRSN)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

36 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AUTOVON Obsolete: Automatic Voice Network

Replaced by: Defense Switched Network (DSN)

AUVSI Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems 

International 

AV

 Antivenom (also known as antivenin, venom 

antiserum or antivenom immunoglobulin) 

 Anti-Viral 

 Aviation

 Audiovisual

AVC

 Alaska Volcano Center

 Audio Visual Center 

 Audio Visual Conference 

 Automatic Voltage Control 

AVG Average 

AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

AVI

 Audio-Visual Interleave

 Automatic Vehicle Identification 

 Aviation 

AVIC Area Veterinarian in Charge

AVIP Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program

AVL

 Agency Vehicle Licensure Committee 

(National Association of State EMS Officials) 

 Approved/Authorized Vendor List 

 Available 

AVLIS Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation

AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association

AVN Aviation 

AVO

Alaska Volcano Observatory (joint program of 

the U. S. States Geological Survey, the 

Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska 

Fairbanks and the State of Alaska)

AVOps Aviation Operations
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

37 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

AVSEC Aviation Security

AVSP Aviation Support Specialist 

AW American Whitewater 

AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System

AWBA Average Weekly Benefit Amount

AWC American Wood Council

AWD Available Without Declaration

AWG American Wire Gauge 

AWIPS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing 

System

AWIS Automated Weather Information System

AWN Alert, Warning and Notification 

Ancillary Wireless Network 

AWO American Waterway Operators

AWOL Absent Without Leave

AWOP Absence Without Pay

AWRA American Water Resources Association

AWS

 Advanced Warning System 

 Air Weather Service (United States Air Force) 

 Alternate Work Schedule

 Alternative Workplace Strategies 

 Animal Welfare Society 

 Automatic Weather Station 

AWWA American Water Works Association

AYE Alternate Year Exercise
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

38 

B: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

B Byte (equal to 8 bits of computer data) 

BAA  Broad Agency Announcement

 Broad Area Announcement

BAC Blood Alcohol Concentration 

BACM

 Best Available Control Measures 

 Business Alliance for Customs 

Modernization

BACT Best Available Control Technology 

BAER Burned Area Emergency Response (FS)

BAI Boat Accident Investigation 

BAIRAC Boating Accident, Investigation, Reporting and 

Analysis Committee 

BALV Best Available Lodging Value

BAND Bioagent Autonomous Networked Detectors

BAPCO British Association of Public Safety 

Communications Officers 

BAR  Before Action Report 

 Burned Area Rehabilitation 

Bar

Barometric pressure (a unit of pressure 

approximately equal to atmospheric pressure at 

sea level) 

BARD Boating Accident Report Database 

BARDA Biomedical Advanced Research and 

Development Authority

BARD-I Boating Accident Report Database–Internet 

BAREPP Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness 

Project

BART Bay Area Rapid Transit 

BAS Building Automation System (see BMS) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

39 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BASIS Biological Aerosol Sentry and Information 

System

BATT Battery

BAWS Biological Aerosol Warning System

BBP Blood Borne Pathogen

BBRS Board of Building Regulations and Standards

BBS Bulletin Board System

BC

 Base Camp

 Battalion Chief 

 Birth Certificate 

 Branch Chief

B/C Benefit/Cost

BCA Benefit-Cost Analysis

BCC

 Blind Carbon Copy 

 Blind Courtesy Copy 

 Border Crossing Card

BCEM Big City Emergency Managers 

B/C EmOC Basic/Complex - Emergency Obstetric Care 

BCF Billion Cubic Feet

BCLC Business Civic Leadership Center

BCMC Board for the Coordination of Model Codes

BCMG Base/Camp Manager

BCMR Board of Correction of Military Records

BCN

 Beacon 

 Biomedical Communications Network 

(National Library of Medicine) 

BCP Business Continuity Planning

BCPR Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

40 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BCR  Benefit-Cost Ratio 

 Biological, Chemical or Radiological 

BCS Border Cargo Selectivity 

BCT Brigade Combat Team 

BDA Battle Damage Assessment

BDC Bomb Data Center (Bureau of ATF)

BDE Brigade

BDLS Basic Disaster Life Support 

BDO Battle Dress Overgarment (United States

military)

BDR Building Drift Ratio 

BDRP Biological Defense Research Program

BDS Biohazard Detection System

BDU Battle Dress Utility

BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis

BEAP Boating Education Advisory Panel 

BEEF Big Explosive Experimental Facility

BEHAVE Manage Security-Related Behavior 

BEIR Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

BENS Business Executives for National Security

BENT SPEAR Nuclear Incident Code Word

BEOC Business Emergency Operations Center 

BEP Budget Execution Plan

BERD Blocked Erosion Rate Database

BERT Building Emergency Response Team

BEST

 Biomonitoring of Environment Status and 

Trends 

 Bus Explosive Screening Technology
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

41 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BFA  Basic First Aid 

 Benefit Fraud Assessment

BFC Bills for Collection

BFD Base Flood Depth

BFE Base Flood Elevation

BFM Budget and Financial Management Branch (USVISIT)

BGAD Blue Grass Army Depot

BGAN Broadband Global Area Network

BGCA Blue Grass Chemical Activity

BGP Border Gateway Protocol

BHCP Behavioral Healthcare Provider

BHEF Business-Higher Education Forum

BHS Bureau of Health Services 

BI

 Background Investigation (security 

clearance) 

 Burn Index (effort needed to contain a single 

fire in a particular fuel type within a rating 

area-NOAA) 

BIA 

 Board of Immigration Appeals (United States

Department of Justice [DOJ]) 

 Bureau of Indian Affairs (United States

Department of the Interior [DOI]) 

BIA OEM Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Emergency 

Management 

BICE Obsolete: Bureau of Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

BICEP Basic Investigation of Computer and Electronic 

Crimes Program

BICEPP Business and Industry Council for Emergency 

Preparedness and Planning

BIDS Biological Integrated Detection System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

42 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BIEC Business Information Exchange Component 

BIFC 

Obsolete: Boise Interagency Fire Center

Replaced by: NIFC (National Interagency Fire 

Center)

BIIDB Badge Imaging Information Database

BIL Band Interleaved by Line (Format) Image File

BIMG Billeting Manager 

BIO Biological

BIS Benchmarks, Indicators and Scoring 

BISC Border Interdiction Support Center

BIT  Built-In Test

 Business and Information Technology 

BITE Biometric Identification Technology Ethics

BIWG Bilateral Interdiction Working Group

BJA Bureau of Justice Assistance (DOJ)

BKC

Biodefense Knowledge Center (National 

Biosecurity Analysis and Countermeasures 

Center [NBACC]) 

BKR Breaker

BLA Boating Law Administrator 

BLESTP Basic Law Enforcement Supervisor Training 

Program

BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

BLM Bureau of Land Management

BLS

 Basic Life Support (level of medical care)

 Below Land Surface 

 Bureau of Labor Statistics (United States

Department of Labor)

BLUF Bottom Line Up Front 

BM Benchmark
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

43 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BMBL Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical 

Laboratories

BMC Bomb Management Center

BMD Borders and Maritime Security Division 

(DHS/S&T)

BMI Body Mass Index 

BMP Best Management Practice

BMS

 Building Management System (also known 

as Building Automation System) 

 Broadcast Monitoring System 

 Bio Metric System (security identification 

base on human characteristic metrics) 

BN

 Beacon

 Billing Number

 Billion

BNA Baseline Needs Assessment

BNICE Biological, Nuclear, Incendiary, Chemical, 

Explosive

BNML Battalion Military Liaison

BO Boarding Officer 

BOA Basic Ordering Agreement 

BOAT Boat Operations and Training 

BOC Basic Operating Cost

BOCA Building Officials and Code Administrators

BOH Board of Health 

BOL  Bureau of Labs 

 Bills of Lading 

BOLO Be On the Lookout (law enforcement alert) 

BOM  Bill of Materials

 Board of Medicine 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

44 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BON Board of Nursing

BOO Base of Operations

BOP  Board of Pharmacy 

 Bureau of Prisons (DOJ)

BOR Bureau of Reclamation (DOI)

BORCAP Border Patrol Criminal Alien Program

BORP Building Occupancy Resumption Program

BORSTAR Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue 

Team 

BORTAC Border Patrol Tactical Unit

BOS Base Operating Support 

BOSAR Boat Operator for Search and Rescue 

BOV Board of Visitors

BOXER Bulk-Only X-ray Enhanced Region

BP Blood Pressure 

BPA  Blanket Purchasing Agreement

 Border Patrol Agent

BPAT Building Performance Assessment Team

BPD Blast-Protective Design

BPI Business Performance Improvement 

BPM Basic Property Management

BPML Business Process Markup Language

BPN Business Partner Network

BPO Blanket Purchase Order

BPP Business Policy and Planning Branch (US-VISIT)

BPR Business Process Reengineering

BPRM/PRM Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration 

(DOS) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

45 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BPRP Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response 

Program

BPS

 Battery Power Supply

 Bits Per Second (digital data transfer rate) 

 Bulk Power System (electrical transmission 

system) 

BPSS Business Process Specification Schema

BPWG Best Practices Working Group

BRAC

 Base Realignment and Closure Act (DOD)

 Bioterrorism Response Advisory Committee 

(HHS) 

BRASS Border Release Advance Screening and 

Selectivity (DHS)

Bravo Phonetic Alphabet for B 

BRI Building Related Illness

BRIC

 Baseline Resilience Indicators for 

Communities 

 Building Research Infrastructure and 

Capacity (HHS)

 Building Resilient Infrastructure and 

Communities

BRIDGES Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance 

Security 

BRM

 Building Repair and Maintenance

 Business Reference Model

 Business Risk Management

BROKEN ARROW Nuclear Accident Code Word

BRT Business Round Table

BS Base Station 

BSA

 Base Support Area

 Business Software Alliance 

 Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry 

Reform Act of 2002 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

46 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

B&SA  Bureau and Statistical Agent (National Flood 

Insurance Program [NFIP]) 

BSAC [National] Boating Safety Advisory Council 

BSC  Biometrics Support Center

 Building Security Committee

BSCO Biosafety Coordinating Official

BSD Berkeley Software Distribution 

BSD Border Security Deployment

BSE Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow 

Disease)

BSEE Bureau of Safety and Environmental 

Enforcement 

BSI

 Base/Basic Support Installation

 Body Substance Isolation 

 Border Safety Initiative

 British Standards Institute 

BSIR Biannual Strategy Implementation Report

BSO Biosafety Officer

BSOP Battle Staff Operating Procedures

BSPP Broadcast Station Protection Program

BSSC Building Seismic Safety Council

BST  Border Support Team

 Burn Specialty Team

BT  Bioterrorism

 Buying Team

BTA  Bioterrorism Act

 Border Trade Alliance

BTC Bitcoin (digital currency) (see XBT) 

BTCP  Biological Terrorism Contingency Plan

 Biological Threat Characterization Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

47 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BTLS Basic Trauma Life Support 

BTM Boarding Team Member 

BTO Business Transformation Office

BTS

 Blood Transfusion Service 

 Obsolete: Border and Transportation 

Security

 Budget Tracking System

 Bureau of Transportation Statistics

BTU British Thermal Unit

BU  Base Unit 

 Bargaining Unit 

BUI

 Browser User Interface 

 Buildup Index (cumulative long-term drying 

effect on fire danger) 

BULK Bulk Cargo 

BUMED Bureau of Medicine

BUS Business

BUYL Buying Team Leader

BUYM Buying Team Member

BV Butterfly Valve

BVO

Obsolete: Black Vinyl Overboot

Replaced by: Multipurpose Rain/Snow/CB 

Overboot (MULO) 

BVM Bag Valve Mask (for ventilating a patient) 

BW  Biological Warfare

 Biological Weapon

BW-12 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 

2012 

BWA Balanced Workforce Analysis 

BWAT Balanced Workforce Assessment Tool 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

48 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

BWC Biological Weapons Convention

BWIC Biological Warning and Incident 

Characterization

BWR Boiling Water Reactor

BWS Balanced Workforce Strategy 

BY Budget Year

Byte A Byte is equal to 8 Bits 

BZ Breathing Zone

BZPP  Buffer Zone Protection Plan

 Buffer Zone Protection Program

C: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

C Celsius/Centigrade 

C2 Command and Control

C2C Command and Control Constellation 

C2CRE Command and Control CBRN Response 

Element (DOD)

C2W Command and Control Warfare 

C3

 Command, Control and Communications

 Customs Cyber-Smuggling Center

 Cyber Crimes Center

C3I Command, Control, Communications, 

Information

C3ISR Command, Control, Communications, 

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

C3MP Contact Center Capabilities and Modernization 

Platform 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

49 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

C4

 Command, Control, Communications and 

Computers

 Plastic Explosive known as Composition C 

C4ISR or C4ISR

Command, Control, Communications, 

Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and 

Reconnaissance (DOD)

C-5 Lockheed Galaxy (Military Passenger and 

Transport Aircraft) 

C-9 McDonnell Douglas Nightingale/Skytrain II 

(Military Passenger and Transport Aircraft) 

C-12 Beechcraft Huron (Military Passenger and 

Transport Aircraft) 

C-17 Boeing Globemaster III (Military Passenger and 

Transport Aircraft) 

C-130 Lockheed Hercules (Military Passenger and 

Transport Aircraft) 

C-141 Lockheed Starlifter (Military Passenger and 

Transport Aircraft) 

CA

 Capability Assurance

 Certification Agent (Cyber Security)

 Chemical Agent

 Civil Affairs

 Congressional Affairs

 Cooperating Agency

 Cooperative Agreement

 Criticality Assessment

 Certifying Authority

C&A Certification and Accreditation 

C/A Controller/Analyst

CAA  Civil Aviation Authority 

 Clean Air Act

CAAHEP Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health 

Programs 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

50 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CAAP Critical Asset Assurance Program

CAARS Cargo Advanced Automated Radiography 

System

CAAS Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance 

Services 

CABIN Chemical and Biological Information Network

CAC

 Citizens’ Advisory Commissions

 Civil Applications Committee

 Climate Analysis Center

 Common Access Card

 Community Assistance Contact

 Crisis Action Center

CACB Camp Crew Boss

CACP Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police 

CACTIS Computer-Assisted CSEPP Training Information 

System

CAD

 Computer Aided/Assisted Dispatch System

 Computer-Aided/Assisted Design 

 Computer-Aided Disaster 

 Contract Award Date 

CADD Computer-Assisted Drafting and Design

CADET Computer-Assisted Design for Exercise Training

CADW Civil Air Defense Warning

CAE Command Assessment Element (NORTHCOM)

CAEM Committee for Animal Emergency Management

CAEO Competitive Analysis and Evaluation Office

CAER Community Awareness and Emergency 

Response
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

51 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CAF

 Child, Adolescent and Family 

 Common Assessment Framework 

 Corrective Action Form 

 Critical Assessment Factors 

CAFC Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs 

CAFS Compressed Air Foam Systems

CAG

 Civil Affairs Group (USMC) 

 Commander Air Group 

 Core Agency Group

CAGE Commercial and Government Entity 

CAH Child and Adolescent Health Program 

CAI

 Case Identification

 Chemical Accident/Incident

 Computer-Aided Instruction

CAIC Chemical Accident/Incident Control

CAICO Chemical Accident/Incident Control Officer

CAIDI Customer Average Interruption Duration Index 

CAIRA Chemical Accident/Incident Response and 

Assistance

CAIS Civil Authority Information Support Element 

CALEA Commission on Accreditation for Law 

Enforcement Agencies 

CAL-FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire 

Protection 

CALM Cognitive and Affective Learning Model 

CALS Common Analytical Laboratory System (DOD) 

CAM

 Chemical Agent Monitor

 Computer-Aided Manufacturing

 Curriculum Analysis Module 

CAMDS Chemical Agent Munition Disposal System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

52 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CAMEO Computer-Aided Management of Emergency 

Operations

CAMEXPAN Central America, Mexico, Panama

CAMPS Civil Aircraft Missile Protection System

CAMRA Center for Advancing Microbial Risk

Assessment

CAMS  Continuous Air Monitoring System

 Corrective Action Management System (DOI) 

CAMTS Commission on Accreditation of Medical 

Transport Systems 

CAMU Companion Animal Management Unit

CAMV Covered Aerial Medium Voltage 

CANAR Consortia of Administrators for Native American 

Rehabilitators 

CANDU Canada Deuterium Uranium (Reactor)

CANUS Canada-United States 

CAO

 Caribbean Area Office

 Chief Administrative Officer

 Civil Affairs Operations 

C and O / C&O Concept and Objectives 

CAP

 Capability Assessment Program

 Civil Air Patrol

 Collection, Analysis and Planning

 Community Action Program

 Community Assistance Program

 Corrective Action Program

 Crisis Action Plan/Process 

CAPA Coalition of Airline Pilots Association 

CAPC Civil Aviation Planning Committee

CAPCO Controlled Access Program Coordination Office
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

53 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CAP-FASSE Corrective Action Program—Federal Agency 

Support Services Element

CAPPS II Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening 

System (II equals 2nd generation)

CAPR Categorical Assistance Progress Reports

CAPRA Critical Asset and Portfolio Risk Analysis

CAPSS  Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety 

CAP-SSSE Corrective Action Program—State Support 

Services Element

CapTel Captioned Telephone 

CapWIN Capital Wireless Integrated Network

CAR

 Capability Assessment for Readiness 

 Capability Assessment Report 

 Congressional Affairs Representative

CARAT Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training

CARCAH Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination—All 

Hurricanes

CARD Collaborating Agencies for Responding to 

Disasters

CARDA Continental Airborne Reconnaissance for 

Damage Assessment

CARE-USA Cooperative for Assistance and Relief 

Everywhere (NGO) 

CARIBROC Caribbean Regional Operations Center 

CARICOM Caribbean Community 

CARL Obsolete: Computerized Activities Results List

CARRI Community and Regional Resilience Institute 

CARRI-CRS Community and Regional Resilience Initiatives - 

Community Resilience System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

54 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CART

 Common Assessment Reporting Tool 

 Communities Advancing Resilience Toolkit 

 Community/County Animal Response Team 

 Computer Aided Real-time Translation 

 Computer Analysis and Response Team

CARVER Criticality, Accessibility, Recuperability, 

Vulnerability, Effect and Recognizability

CAS

 Chemical Abstract Service

 Chemical Attribution Signature 

 Comprehensive Assessment System

 Crisis Action System

CASC Cache Supply Clerk

CASE Computer-Aided Software Engineering

CASEVAC Casualty Evacuation (DOD) 

CASP

 Community Recovery Assistance Specialist 

 Contracting and Acquisition Specialist 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Specialist

CASPER C-130 Airborne Sensor with Palletized 

Electronic Reconnaissance

CASREP Casualty Report 

CASS Cockpit Access Security System

CAST Commercial Aviation Safety Team

CASU Centralized Administrative Services Unit

CAT

 Catalog

 Catastrophic or Catastrophic Risk 

 Category

 Crisis Action Team

C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquets 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

55 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CATEGORY–1 Hurricane

Very Dangerous Winds Will Produce Some 

Damage (NOAA) = 74-95 mph / 64-82 kt / 

119-153 km/h Hurricane Sustain Winds (SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale) 

CATEGORY–2 Hurricane

Extremely Dangerous Winds Will Cause 

Extensive Damage (NOAA) = 96-110 mph / 83-

95 kt / 54-177 km/h Hurricane Sustain Winds 

(Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) 

CATEGORY–3 Major Hurricane

Devastating Damage Will Occur (NOAA) =

111-129 mph / 96-112 kt / 178-208 km/h 

Hurricane Sustain Winds (Saffir-Simpson 

Hurricane Wind Scale) 

CATEGORY–4 Major Hurricane

Catastrophic Damage Will Occur (NOAA) =

130-156 mph / 113-136 kt / 209-251 km/h 

Hurricane Sustain Winds (Saffir-Simpson 

Hurricane Wind Scale) 

CATEGORY–5 Major Hurricane

Catastrophic Damage Will Occur (NOAA) =

157 mph or Higher / 137 kt or higher / 252 

km/h or Higher Hurricane Sustain Winds (SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale) 

CATEX  Catastrophic Exercise

 Categorical Exclusion

CATF Catastrophic Task Force

CATL Chronology and Timeline

CATS Consequences Assessment Tool Set

CAUL Contracting, Acquisition and Ordering Unit 

Leader 

CAV Community Assistance Visit

CAVU Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited 

CAW Center for Asymmetric Warfare 

CAX  Capability Assurance Exercise

 Computer-Assisted Exercise
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

56 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CB or C/B

 Chemical Biological or Chemical/Biological

 Citizens Band

 Cluster Bomb

CBA  Collective Bargaining Agreement 

 Cost-Benefit Analysis

CBARS Coastal Barrier Resources System

CBCF Cross-Border Crime Forum

CBCT Chemical/Biological Countermeasures Training

CBD  Chemical and Biological Defense

 Chemical and Biological Division (DHS/S&T)

CBDCOM

Obsolete: Chemical and Biological Defense 

Command

Replaced by: Soldier and Biological Chemical 

Command (SBCCOM)

CBDRR Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction 

CBEFF Common Biometric Exchange Formats 

Framework

CBEK Compendium of Basic Exercise Knowledge

CBEP Career Builder Express Program

CBET Computer-Based Education and Training

CBI  Chandler Burning Index

 Computer-Based Instruction

CBIA Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990

CBIAC Chemical and Biological Defense Information 

Analysis Center

CBIG Caribbean Border Interagency Group

CBIRF Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force 

(United States Marine Corps)

CBL  Commercial Bill of Lading

 Computer-Based Learning
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

57 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CBN  Chemical, Biological, or Nuclear

 Cooperative Base Network

CBO  Community-Based Organization

 Congressional Budget Office

CBP Customs and Border Protection (DHS)

CBPMO United States Customs and Border Protection 

Modernization Office

CBPO Customs and Border Protection Officer

CBQRF Chemical-Biological Quick Response Force

CBR Chemical, Biological and/or Radiological

CBR&D Chemical and Biological Research and 

Development Sector

CBRA Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982 (see 

CoBRA)

CBRD Chemical, Biological and Radiological Defense

CBRDEC Chemical and Biological, Research, 

Development and Engineering Center

CBRDT Chemical/Biological Rapid Deployment Team

CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear

CBRNE Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and 

Explosive

CBRNE-CM

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or 

High-Yield Explosive—Consequence 

Management

CBRRT Chemical and Biological Rapid Response Team

CBRS

 John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources 

System

 Concept-Based Requirement System

CBRT Chemical and Biological Response Team

CBRTA Chemical, Biological and Radiological 

Technology Alliance
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

58 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CBSA Canada Border Services Agency 

CBT

 Chemical Biological Toxin

 Combat 

 Computer-Based Training 

CBW Chemical and Biological Warfare

CBZ Costal Building Zone 

CC

 Citizen Corps

 Combatant Command/Commander 

 Commander 

 Congregate Care

 Coordination Center

 Core Capabilities 

 Courtesy Copy

 Crisis Counseling

 Cadre Coordinator

 Chief Council

cc Cubic Centimeter

C&C Components and Cladding

CCA

 Circuit Card Assembly

 Climate Change Adaptation 

 Continuity Communications Architecture

 Obsolete: Comprehensive Cooperative 

Agreement

Replaced by: Cooperative Agreement (CA)

CCAM Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility

CCAMS Obsolete: Comprehensive Cooperative 

Agreement Monitoring System

CCAP  Center Coordination Action Plan 

 Child Citizenship Act Project

CCAT Center for Commercialization of Advanced 

Technology 

CCB Configuration Control Board
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

59 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CCC

 Citizen Corps Council

 Congregate Care Center

 Crisis Coordination Center

CCD

 Charge-Coupled Device 

 Consular Consolidated Database

 Corporate Communications Division 

(DHS/S&T)

CCDB Consolidated Counterdrug Database

CCDPH Cook County Department of Public Health

CCDR Combatant Commander 

CCF Coded Cities Forecast

CCFP

 Center for Civil Force Protection (National 

Institute of Justice) 

 Certified Cyber Forensics Professional 

 Collaborative Convective Forecast Product

CCG  Canadian Coast Guard 

 Crisis Coordination Group

CCGD Commander, Coast Guard District 

CCI Command, Control and Interoperability

CCIO Command and Control Incidents Operations

CCIP Canadian Communications Interoperability Plan 

CCIR Commander's Critical Information Report

CCITP Counterterrorism Cyber-crime Investigations 

Training Program 

CCITT Consultative Committee for International 

Telephony and Telegraphy

CCL Contamination Control Line

CCCL Coastal Construction Control Line 

CCLS Command Center Liaison Section

CCMD Combatant Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

60 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CCMIS Crisis Consequence Management Information 

System

CCMRF CBRNE Consequence Management Response 

Force

CCN Canonical Correlation Analysis

CCND Consultative Committee on Natural Disasters

CCO

 Claims Coordinating Office

 Complex Contingency Operations 

 Consultation Coordination Officer 

CCP

 Casualty Collection Point

 Citizen Corps Program

 Crisis Counseling Program

CCR Central Contractor Registration (GSA)

CCRF Commissioned Corps Readiness Force

CCS  Congregate Care System

 Contamination Control Station

CCSL Command and Control Simulation Lab

CCSO Cook County Sheriff's Office

CCSP Certified Cargo Screening Program

CCST Chemical Casualty Site Team

CCT  Communications Coordination Team

 Critical Care Transport

CCTV Closed Circuit Television

CCU  Correspondence Control Unit

 Critical Care Unit 

CCUSA Catholic Charities USA (NGO)

CCV Characteristics and Common Vulnerabilities
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

61 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CD

 Casualty Department 

 Center Director 

 Civil Defense

 Code

 Commander 

 Compact Disc

C&D  Clean and Disinfect

 Construction and Demolition 

CDBG Community Development Block Grant

CDBG-DR Community Development Block Grant Disaster 

Recovery

CDC

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(HHS)

 Critical Data Change 

CDD

 Capability Development and Demonstration

 Consecutive Dry Days 

 Cross-Disaster Database

CDE Committed Dose Equivalent

CDER Computer Data Entry Recorder

CDEX Civil Defense Exercise

CDF Capability Development Framework 

CDHA Center for Disaster and Humanitarian 

Assistance 

CDHAM Center for Disaster and Humanitarian 

Assistance Medicine 

CDII Cyber Dependent Infrastructure Identification 

CDIS CDI Technical Specialist 

CDL  Commercial Driver’s License

 Community Disaster Loan
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

62 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CDM

 Content Design Manager

 Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation 

 Curriculum Delivery Module (part of FEMA’s 

DTS) 

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access (allows various 

radio signals to occupy a single transmission)

CDMS Comprehensive Data Management System 

CDO

 Central Dense Overcast (area of 

thunderstorms surrounding a tropical or 

subtropical cyclone’s circulation center)

 Communications Duty Officer 

CDP

 Candidate Development Program

 Center for Domestic Preparedness

 Chemical Demilitarization Program

CDPD Cellular Digital Packet Data

CDPX

 Community Recovery Assistance Specialist – 

Community Planning Expert 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Specialist – Community Design Expert 

CDR

 Christian Disaster Response

 Commander

 Critical Design Review

 Crude Death Rate

CDRDB Conventional Disaster Resource Database

CDRG Catastrophic Disaster Response Group

CDRG-PAC Catastrophic Disaster Response Group−Primary 

Agency Committee 

CDRJSOTF Commander, Joint Special Operations Task 

Force 

CDRS Call Detail Reporting System

CDRUSSTRATCOM Commander-United States Strategic Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

63 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CDS

 Capability Development Support (group) 

 Charge Data System

 Customer and Data Services 

CDSO Collateral Duty Safety Officer

CDSP Cache Demobilization Specialist 

CDSX

 Community Recovery Assistance Specialist – 

Community Design Expert 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Specialist – Community Design Expert

CDT Central Daylight Time (GMT-5)

CDU Contagious Disease Unit

CDVX

 Community Recovery Assistance Specialist – 

Community Development Expert 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Specialist – Community Development Expert

CDX Control and Direction Exercise

CE

 Categorical Exclusion 

 Civil Engineer

 Command Element 

 Continuing Education 

C/E Communications/Electronics

CEA  Council of Economic Advisors

 County Executives of America

CEB Contractor Evaluation Board

CEC Chief Exercise Controller

CECBEMS Continuing Education Coordinating Board for 

EMS 

CED Committee for Economic Development

CEDAP Obsolete: Commercial Equipment Direct 

Assistance Program 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

64 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CE-DAT Complex Emergency Database 

CEDE Committed Effective Dose Equivalent 

CEE Consolidated Enforcement Environment

CEEP Critical Employee Emergency Planning 

CEF  Cost Estimating Format

 Critical Emergency File

CEI Critical Elements of Information

CEM

 Certified Emergency Manager

 Civil Emergency Management (United States

Army) 

 Community Environmental Monitoring (DOE) 

CEMD County Emergency Management Director

CEMIS Crisis and Emergency Management Information 

System

CEMP Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

CEMS Continuous Emission Monitoring System

CENL Chemical Event Notification Level

CENR Committee on Environment and Natural 

Resources

CEO  Chief Executive Officer

 Community Education and Outreach

CEOC County Emergency Operations Center

CEOS Committee on Earth-Orbiting Satellites

CEP

 Civil Emergency Planning (NATO)

 Civil Emergency Preparedness

 Combine Exercise Planning 

CEPAP Cost Estimating for the Public Assistance 

Program, Expert Panel on 

CEPC Civil Emergency Planning Committee (NATO) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

65 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CEPI

 Catastrophic Emergency Preparedness 

Initiative

 Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness 

Innovations 

CEPPO Chemical Emergency Preparedness and 

Prevention Office (EPA)

CEPT Conference of European Postal and 

Telecommunications Administrations 

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CERC

 Coastal Engineering Research Center 

(United States Army Corps of Engineers

[USACE]) 

 Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication

CERCLA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund ActEPA)

CERDEC Communications-Electronics Research 

Development and Engineering Center

CERES California Environmental Resources Evaluation 

System

CERFPs CBRN Enhanced Response Force Packages 

(National Guard) 

CERLCA Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation and Liability Act 

CERP

 Certification of Hazardous Materials 

Packaging 

 Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan 

CERT

 CDC Emergency Response Team 

 Certificate

 Community Emergency Response Team

 Computer Emergency Readiness Team

 Computer Emergency Recovery Team

CERT/CC Computer Emergency Response 

Team/Coordination Center

CESP Community Education and Outreach Specialist 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

66 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CES  Certified Explosives Specialist (ATF) 

 Critical Emergency Supplies 

CEST Cyber Emergency Support Team

CET Contraband Enforcement Team

CETAT

CSEPP Exercise Training Analysis Tool 

(Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness 

Program) 

CEU

 Civil Engineering Unit (United States Coast 

Guard [USCG]) 

 Continuing Education Unit

CEW Counter Electronic Warfare 

CEXS Cooperative Extension Service

CFA

 Capability Focus Area

 Certified Financial Accountant

 Cognizant Federal Agency

CFAI Commission on Fire Accreditation International

CFAO Cognizant Federal Agency Official

CFATS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards

CFBCI Center for Faith Based and Community 

Initiatives (CFBCI)

CFC Combined Federal Campaign

CFC-NCA Combined Federal Campaign of the National 

Capital Area

CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

CFI

 Certified Fire Investigators (ATF) 

 Certified Flight Instructor 

 Credentialing Framework Initiative (DHS)

cfm cubic feet per minute

CFO  Chief Fire Officer 

 Chief of Field Operations
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

67 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CFP Cooperative Fire Protection 

CFPA Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement 

CFR

 Case Fatality Rate 

 Catastrophic Failure Rate 

 Code of Federal Regulations

 Community First Responder 

 Crash Fire Rescue (airport) 

CFS  Canadian Forest Service 

 Commercial Facilities Sector 

cfs cubic feet per second

CFSI Congressional Fire Services Institute

CFST Coalition Forces Support Team 

CFTC Commodity Futures Trading Commission

CG

 Commanding General

 Contingency Guidance 

 Obsolete: Coast Guard

Replaced by: USCG

CGAP Consolidated Grant Application Program 

CGAS Coast Guard Air Station 

CGAUX Coast Guard Auxiliary 

CGC Coast Guard Cutter 

CGCIS Coast Guard Counterintelligence Service 

CGD Coast Guard District

CGDEFOR Coast Guard Defense Force 

CGE Concur Government Edition (FEMA Automated 

Travel System) 

CGH Center for Global Health (CDC) 

CGI Common Gateway Interface

CGISS Center for Geophysical Investigation of the 

Shallow Subsurface
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

68 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CGM Computer Graphics Metafile

CGP Cooperative Grants Program (CRDF Global) 

CGS Coast Guard Station 

C&GS Command and General Staff 

cGy 1 centiGray (= 0.01 Gy - a unit of absorbed 

radiation) 

CH Channel

CH4 Methane 

CH-53/HH53 Sikorsky (S-65) Sea Stallion (heavy lift 

helicopter) 

Charlie Phonetic Alphabet for C 

CHARM Complex Hazardous Release Model

CHAWS Chemical Hazard Warning System

CHCO Chief Human Capital Officer 

CHCOC

Chief Human Capital Officers Council (United 

States Office of Personnel Management 

[OPM]/United States Office of Management and 

Budget [OMB]) 

CHDS Center for Homeland Defense and Security

ChE Cholinesterase

CHECK 21 Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act

Chem FP Chemical Forensics Program 

CHEMM Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical 

Management (HHS) 

CHEMTREC Chemical Transportation Emergency Center 

CHERCAP Comprehensive HAZMAT Emergency Response 

Capability Assessment Program

CHER-CAP Community Hazards Emergency 

Response−Capability Assurance Process

CHF Congestive Heart Failure 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

69 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CHIP  Capability and Hazard Identification Program

 Critical Homeland Infrastructure Protection

CHIS Criminal History Information Sharing 

CHM Chemistry of Hazardous Materials

CHN Community Health Nurse/Nursing 

CHHA Coastal High Hazard Area 

CHOP Change of Operational Control 

CHPPM Center for Health Promotion and Preventive 

Medicine (United States Army) 

CHRCL Center for Human Rights and Constitutional 

Law

CHRIS Chemical Hazard Response Information System

CHRP Contaminated Human Remains Pouch 

CHS Correctional Health Services

CHT

 Certified Hemodialysis 

Technologist/Technician) 

 Chemical Holding Tank 

 Community Health Team 

CHW Community Health Worker 

Ci Curie 

CI

 Clinical Investigation 

 Counter-Intelligence 

 Criminal Investigation 

 Critical Infrastructure

 Critical Issues 

CIA  Catastrophic Incident Annex 

 Central Intelligence Agency

CIAD Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs 

Division

CIAETP Criminal Investigation in Automated Equipment 

Training Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

70 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CIAO

 Chief Infrastructure Assurance Officer

 Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office

 Critical Infrastructure Assurance Officer

CIB

 Controlled Image Base (geographic digital 

imagery) 

 Current Intelligence Briefing 

CIC

 Chemical Industry Council 

 Citizenship and Immigration Canada 

 Commander-In-Chief 

 Continuous Improvement Coordinator 

CICAD Center for Intelligence Collection Analysis and 

Dissemination 

CICG Critical Infrastructure Coordination Group

CID

 Caller Identification 

 Command, Control and Interoperability 

Division (DHS)

 Counterintelligence Division 

 Criminal Investigation Division or 

Department

 Critical Incident Detection 

CIDCON Civil Defense Condition

CIDER Computer Interactive Display, Entry and 

Retrieval

CIDI Center for International Disaster Information 

CIDR Classless Inter-Domain Routing (Protocol) 

CIEE Common Information Exchange Environment

CIF  Central Information File

 Cost, Insurance and Freight

CIG Central Intelligence Group

CIGSS Common Imagery Ground/Surface System 

CIH Certified Industrial Hygienist
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

71 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CIHL Customary International Humanitarian Law 

CII Critical Infrastructure Information

CIIA Critical Infrastructure Information Act of 2002

CIID Counterintelligence and Investigations Division 

(DHS)

CIII Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies 

Integrator

CIIMS Critical Infrastructure Inspection Management 

System

CIIP IWG Critical Information Infrastructure Protection 

Interagency Working Group

CIK Crypto-Ignition Key 

CIKR Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources

CIM Civil Information Management 

CIMA Channel Industries Mutual Aid 

CIMIC Civil-Military Cooperation (NATO) 

CIMRT Critical Incident Management Response Team 

CIMS

 Correspondence and Issues Management 

System

 Crisis Information Management Software 

 Critical Incident Management Support

 Critical Infrastructure Modeling System

CIMST Critical Incident Management Support Team

CINC Commander-in-Chief

CINCAMC Commander-in-Chief, Air Mobility Command

CINCFOR Commander-In-Chief, Forces Command 

CINCLANT Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet

CINCNORAD Commander-in-Chief, North American 

Aerospace Defense Command

CINCPAC Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

72 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CINCSOC Commander-in-Chief, Special Operations 

Command

CINCTRANS Commander-in-Chief, Transportation Command

CINDI

 Center for Integration of Natural Disaster 

Information

 Compact Integrated Narcotics Detector 

Instrument

CINS Catastrophic Incident of National Significance

CINT Chief Intelligence Officer

CIO  Centers/Institutes/Offices (CDC) 

 Chief Information Officer

CIP

 Common Intelligence Picture 

 Continuous Improvement Process 

 Continuous Improvement Program

 Critical Infrastructure Protection

CIP IWG Critical Infrastructure Protection Interagency 

Working Group

CIPAC Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory 

Council (DHS)

CIPB Critical Infrastructure Protection Board

CIP-DSS CIP-Decision Support System

CIPIC Critical Infrastructure Protection Information 

Center

CIPP Certified Information Privacy Professionals

CIPWG Critical Infrastructure Protection Working Group

CIQ Customs, Immigration and Quarantine 

CIR  Critical Information Requirements 

 Critical Infrastructure Resiliency

CIRA Catastrophic Incident Response Annex

CIREN Crash Injury Research Engineering Network 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

73 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CIRES Catastrophic Incident Response Execution 

Schedule

CIRG Critical Incident Response Group

CIRMS Council of Ionizing Radiation Measurements 

and Standards

CIRP Catastrophic Incident Response Plan

CIS  Communications and Information Systems 

USCIS 

CISCP Cybersecurity Information Sharing and 

Collaboration Program 

CISD Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

CISM Critical Incident Stress Management 

CISMT Critical Incident Stress Management Team

CISO Chief Information Security Officer

CISOMB Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Ombudsman

CISSC Central Information Systems Storage Center

CISSO Classified Information Sharing and 

Safeguarding Office (Executive Order 13587) 

CITAC Computer Intrusion Threat Assessment Center

CITEL

Inter-American Telecommunications 

Commission (Comisión Interamericana de 

Telecomunicaciones) 

CITIG Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest 

Group 

CITMO Commercial Information Technology for 

Multinational Operations 

CITO Central Imagery Tasking Office

CITP Criminal Investigator Training Program

CIV  Civil 

 Civilian 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

74 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CIVPOL Civilian Police (United Nations) 

CIWG Communications Interoperability Working Group 

CJ Congressional Justification 

CJCS Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

CJCSI Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 

CJIS

 Criminal Justice Information Services (FBI)

 Criminal Justice Information Sharing 

 Criminal Justice Information System

CJOC Canada Joint Operations Command 

CJTF  Combined Joint Task Force 

 Commander Joint Task Force

CJTF-CS Commander, Joint Task Force−Civil Support 

CJTF-NCR Commander, Joint Task Force−National Capital 

Region 

CK  Containerized Kitchen (mobile kitchen) 

 Conversion Kit 

C/Kg One Coulomb/kilogram (=3,876 R) 

CL

 Common Language 

 Compliance Letter 

 Container Load 

CLAIMS Computer Linked Application Information 

Management System

CLASP Consular Lost and Stolen Passport System

CLASS  Consular Lookout and Support System

CLC Corporate Lodging Consultants 

CLDC Connected Limited Device Configuration
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

75 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CLGX

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Specialist – Local Government

Administration Expert

 Community Recovery Assistance Specialist–

Local Government Administration Expert 

CLIA Civil Liberties Impact Assessment

CLIVAR Climate Variability

CLMS Claims Specialist

CLO

 Chief Logistics Officer

 Community Liaison Office 

 Congressional Liaison Officer

CLOMA Conditional Letter of Map Amendment

CLOMR Conditional Letter of Map Revision

CLOMR-F Conditional Letter of Map Revision based on Fill 

CLR Common Language Runtime

CLS Central Locator System

CLT Civil Liaison Team 

CLZ Craft Landing Zone 

CM

 Cadre Manager

 Chief of Mission

 Consequence Management

 Counter-Measure(s)

 Crisis Management 

cm Centimeter

CMA

 Certified Medical Assistant

 Chemical Manufacturers Association

 Chemical Materials Agency

 Current Mailing Address 

CMAA Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement 

(USCBP)

C-MANPADS Counter-ManPortableAirDefense Systems
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

76 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CMAOC Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations 

Center 

CMAS  Circular Map Accuracy Standard

 Commercial Mobile Alert System

CMAT Consequence Management Advisory Team

CMC

 Center for Marine Conservation

 Civilian-Military Cooperation Office 

 Crisis Management Center

 Crisis Management Coordinator

 Customs Management Centers

CMCAC Crisis Management Center Augmentation Cadre

CMCOORD Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN)

CMCU Consequence Management Coordination Unit 

CME

 Chief Medical Examiner

 Continuing Medical Education

 Coronal Mass Ejection (solar-space weather) 

CMSEC Communication Security 

CMETL Core Mission Essential Task List 

CMF Case Management File

CMG Consequence Management Group

CMHIS Contract Management and Housing Inspection 

Services 

CMHS Center for Mental Health Services

CMIA Cash Management Improvement Act

CMIR Currency and Monetary Instruments Report

CMIS Corporate Management Information System

CML Commercial

CMLO Civil-Military Liaison Officer 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

77 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CMM  Capability Maturity Model

 Conflict Management and Mitigation Office 

CMMG Planning and Products Manager

CMMI Capability Maturity Model Integration

CMO

 Chief Medical Officer

 Chief Military Officer 

 Civil Military Operations

CMOC  Catastrophic Medical Operations Center 

 Civil Military Operations Center

CMOS

 Cargo Movement Operations System 

 Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic 

Society 

CMOT Civil Military Operations Team 

CMPP DHS Case Management Pilot Program

CMPS Section Civil-Military Planning and Support Section 

CMR  Collapse Margin Ratio 

 Crude Mortality Rate 

CMRT Consequence Management Response Team

CMS

 Call Management System

 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

 Consumable Medical Supplies 

 Crisis Management Support 

 Crisis Management System

CMSP Communications Specialist (see also COSP) 

CMST Consequence Management Support Team 

CMSY Commissary Manager 

CMT  Content Mapping Templates 

 Crisis Management Team

CMTB Countermeasures Test Bed

CMTS Comments 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

78 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CMU  Concrete Masonry Unit

 Crisis Management Unit

CMV Commercial Motor Vehicle

CMX Crisis Management Exercise

CN

 Charge Nurse 

 Communications Network

 Corporate Telecommunications Network 

CNA

 Certified Nursing Assistant

 Critical Needs Assistance (FEMA Individual 

Assistance) 

CNAC Customs National Aviation Center

CNBC Congress of National Black Churches

CNC  Central Network Control

 Computer Numerical Control

CNCS Corporation for National and Community 

Service

CND Computer Network Defense 

CNDA Certified Network Defense Architect 

CND-A Computer Network Defense−Analyst 

CND-AU Computer Network Defense−Auditor 

CND-IR Computer Network Defense−Incident 

Responder 

CND-IS Computer Network Defense−Infrastructure 

Support 

CND-SP Computer Network Defense-Service Provider

CND-SPM Computer Network Defense−Service Provider 

Manager

CNE  Continuing Nursing Education

 Office of Counter-Narcotics Enforcement 

CNGB Chief of the National Guard Bureau
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

79 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CNI Charge Number Instructions 

CNIC Commander, Navy Installations Command 

CNM Classified Notice to Mariners 

CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands

CNMS Coordinated Needs Management Strategy 

CNN Cable News Network

CNO

 Chief of Naval Operations

 Counter-Narcotics Officer

 Obsolete: Counter Narcotics Office

Replaced by: Office of Counter-narcotics 

Enforcement (CNE)

CNPPD Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness and 

Protection Division

CNR Center for National Response

C-NRCS Chief of the National Response Coordination 

Staff

CNS Central Nervous System

CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

CNSIP Classified National Security Information 

Program

CNSNS Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards

CNSS Certification and Accreditation of National 

Security Systems 

CNT  Counter-Narcoterrorism

 Crisis Negotiation Team

CNTY Country 

CNU Crisis Negotiation Unit (DOJ/FBI)

C Number Crew number 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

80 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CNWDI Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information

CO

 Carbon Monoxide 

 Commanding Officer

 Communications Officer

 Contracting Officer

 Custodial Officer

 Certifying Official

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

COA  Certification of Authorization 

 Course of Action

COAC Customs Operations Advisory Committee

COAD Community Organizations Active in Disaster

CoAEMSP Committee on Accreditation for the EMS 

Professions 

COB Close of Business

COBOL Common Business-Oriented Language

COBRA  Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, Radiological

 Coastal Barriers Resources Act

COBRE Carry-On Bag Remote Examination

CoC

 Chain of Command 

 Chamber of Commerce 

 Country of Citizenship

COC Critical Operations Capabilities 

COCA Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity 

COCL Community Education and Outreach Crew 

Leader 

COCO Computer Coordinator 

COCOM  Combatant Command

 Coordinating Committee

COD Cash on Delivery
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

81 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CODEL Congressional Delegation

CODES Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System 

CODIS Combined DNA Index System

COE

 Center of Excellence

 Obsolete: Corps of Engineers (United States

Army)

Replaced by: USACE

COEDMHA Center for Excellence in Disaster Management 

and Humanitarian Assistance 

COF Construction of Facilities Projects

COG

 Chemical, Oil and Gas 

 Continuity of Government

 Council of Governments

COGCON Continuity of Government Conditions 

COGO Coordinate Geometry

COGS Community Education and Outreach Group 

Supervisor 

COI

 Centre Of Influence 

 Community of Interest

 Critical Operational Issue

COIVPP Council on Injury, Violence and Poison 

Prevention

COL  Colonel

 Cost of Living

COLA  Combined Operating License Application

 Cost of Living Allowance

COLD Cargo Offload and Discharge System (United 

States Navy) 

COLISEUM Community On-Line Intelligence System for End 

Users and Managers

COLT Cellular on Light Truck
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

82 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

COM

 Chief of Mission (United States Ambassador) 

 Commercial

 Communications

 Consequence Management 

CoM Consequence Management 

COMC Communications Coordinator

COMCDTF Commander, Civil Disturbance Task Force

COMINT Communications Intelligence

COML Communications Unit Leader

COMM Communications

COMMDIR Communications Directory

COMMEX Communications Unit Exercise 

CoMNET Consequence Management News, Equipment 

and Training

COMP Compensation/Claims Unit Leader

COMPASS Computerized Movement Planning and Status 

System 

COMPUSEC Computer Security

COMREL Community Relations

COMSEC Communications Security

COMSTAT Communications Status 

COMSVC Component Services (Office of Health Affairs 

[OHA]) 

COMT Communications Technician 

COMTAC Tactical Communications 

COMU Communications Unit 

CONELRAD Obsolete: Control of Electromagnetic Radiation

Replaced by: Emergency Broadcast System 

CONEX Container Express 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

83 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CONEXPLAN Contingency and Exercise Plan 

CONG Congressional

CONGR Congress

CONGRESS Congressional

CONO Contracting Officer

CONOPS  Concept of Operations

 Control Operations

CONPLAN  Concept of Operations Plan 

 Contingency Plan

CONTRACT STMT Contractor Statement 

CONUS  Contiguous United States

 Continental United States

CONUSA Continental United States Army

COO Chief Operating Officer

COOP Continuity of Operations

COORDAUTH Coordinating Authority 

COP

 Chief of Party

 Chief of Police

 Committee of Principals

 Common Operating/Operational Picture

 Community of Practice 

 Contingency Operation Plan 

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

COPEM Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine

COPN Certificate of Public Need

COPS  Community Oriented Policing Service

 Community Outreach Programs and Services 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

84 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

COR

 Central Office of Record

 Change Order Request 

 Cost of Repairs 

 Country of Registration 

 Contracting Officers Representative

Replaces: Contracting Officer’s Technical 

Representative (COTR)

 Contract Officer Representative 

CORBA Common Object Request Broker Architecture

CORE

 Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery 

Employees 

 Communities Organized to Respond in 

Emergencies 

CORR Correction 

CORS Continuously Operating Reference Station

COS

 Cash on Shipment

 Central Operating System 

 Chief of Staff

 Chief of Station (also called Station Chief) 

COSIN Control Staff Instruction

COSMIC 

Computer Software Management and 

Information Center (National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration [NASA]) 

COSO  Central Operations Services Office 

 Chief of Staff Office/Operations

COSP Communication Specialist (see also CMSP) 

COST Cost Unit Leader

COTHEN Customs Over the Horizon Enforcement 

Network

COTL Community Education and Outreach Task Force 

Leader 

COTP Captain of the Port
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

85 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

COTR

Obsolete: Contracting Officer’s Technical 

Representative

Replaced by: Contracting Officers 

Representative (COR)

COTS  Cargo Offloading and Transfer System (DOD) 

 Commercial Off the Shelf

Co-SITREP County Situation Report 

COUL Communication Leader 

COV Commonwealth of Virginia 

COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic of 2019

COW Cellular on Wheels

CP

 Check Point 

 Collection Point 

 Command Post

 Community Policing 

 Control Point

 Coordination and Planning

CP&I Coastal Patrol and Interdiction 

CPA

 Certified Public Accountant

 Comprehensive Plan of Action 

 Critical Path Analysis 

CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure 

CPARS Contractor Performance Assessment and 

Reporting System 

CPAS Cellular Priority Access System 

CPAV Community Program Assistance Visit 

CPC

 City Planning Commission 

 Central Process Center (Public Assistance 

Project Worksheet-FEMA) 

 Chemical Protective Cover

 Climate Prediction Center (NOAA)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

86 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CPCB Community Planning and Capacity Building

CPCB RSF Community Planning and Capacity Building - 

Recovery Support Function 

CPCL Community Planner Crew Leader 

CPD

 Collection, Processing and Disposal/Reuse

 Community Planning and Development 

 Community Preparedness Division

 County Planning Division 

CPE  Contingency Planning Exchange

 Customer Premises Equipment 

CPEX Center for Planning Excellence

CPG

 Civil Preparedness Guide

 Comprehensive Preparedness Guides 

 Contingency Planning Guidance 

CPH Current Phone (Number) 

CPHC Central Pacific Hurricane Center

CPHU County Public Health Unit 

CPI

 Civilian Police International 

 Consumer Price Index

 Continuous Product/Process Improvement 

CPIC Capital Planning and Investment Control

CPL Certified Product List

CPM  Contingency Planning Management

 Critical Performance Measure

CPMCC Coalition Partner Mobile Command Center

CPN Customer Premises Network 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

87 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CPO

 Chief Planning Officer 

 Chief Procurement Officer

 Command Post Operations 

 Community Post Office (contract postal unit—

United States Postal Service) 

CPOD Community Point(s) of Distribution 

CPOPC Component Organization Program Coordinators 

CPOT Consolidated Priority Organization Target

CPPA Certified Professional Property Administrator

CPPM Certified Professional Property Manager

CPPS Certified Professional Property Specialist

CPR

 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

 Citizen Preparedness Review 

 Computerized Patient Record 

CPRM Common Property Resource Management

CPS

 Child Protective Services 

 Chemical Protection Suit 

 Community Psychiatric Services 

CPSC Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSD Contingency Planning and Support Division

CPSP  Community Planner Specialist 

 Comprehensive Passenger Screening Profile

CPT Collaborative Planning Team 

CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental 

Design 

CPTL Community Planner Task Force Leader 

CPTR Connect, Plan, Train and Report 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

88 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CPU

 Contract Postal Unit (United States Post 

Office station) 

 Critical Patch Updates 

CPUL Current Planning Unit Leader 

CPX Command Post Exercise

CQA Commandant's Quality Award

CQI Continuous Quality Improvement 

CQPSK

Compatible differential offset Quadrature Phase 

Shift Keying (a suite of standards for digital 

radio communications) 

CR

 Civil Rights

 Claims Representative

 Community Relations

 Community Resiliency 

 Congressional Relations

 Continuing Resolution (Congressional 

Funding) 

 County Road

CRAA Constrained Resource Allocation Approach

CRAD Civil Rights Advisor

CRADA Cooperative Research and Development 

Agreement

CRAF Civil Reserve Air Fleet

CRAMP Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program

CRASH Clean-Slate Design of Resilient, Adaptive, 

Secure Hosts 

CRC

 Community Reception Center 

 Contamination Reduction Corridor

 Convention on the Rights of the Child 

 Crisis Response Cell

 Curriculum Review Conference
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

89 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CRCL

 Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

 Community Recovery Assistance Crew 

Leader 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Crew Leader

CRCPD Conference of Radiation Control Program 

Directors

CRDC Cybersecurity Research and Development 

Center

CRDS Consolidated Remote Delivery Site

CREATE Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of 

Terrorism Events (DHS)

CRED

 Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of 

Disasters

 Credentials and Authentication Management 

CREM Classified Removable Electronic Media

CREP Crew Representative 

CREST Contingency Real Estate Support Team

CREW Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup

CRF Community Resilience Framework 

CRG Cyber Response Group 

CRGS

 Community Recovery Assistance Group 

Supervisor 

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Group Supervisor

CRI Cities Readiness Initiative

CRITIC Critical Information/Critical Intelligence 

Communication 

CRL  Certificate Revocation Lists

 Civil Rights Lead
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

90 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CRM

 Comment Review Matrix 

 Common Risk Model

 Communications Resource Manager 

 Crisis Resource Manager

 Customer Relationship Manager

CrM Crisis Management 

CRMG Acquisition Contracting Manager 

CRN Contract Reference Number 

CRO

 Community Relations Office

 Congressional Relations Officer

 Crisis Response Operation 

CROP Common Relevant Operational Picture

CROSS Counterterrorism Reporting on Suspicious 

Surveillance

CRP

 Certified Risk Professional/Planner 

 Crisis Response Plan 

 Critical Review Phase

CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with 

Disabilities 

CRPG Community Resilience Planning Guide 

CRR Case Resolution Records

C-RRCS Chief of the Regional Response Coordination 

Staff 

CRRDB Comprehensive Reference Resource Database

CRREL Cold Region Research and Engineering 

Laboratory (United States Army)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

91 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CRS

 Catholic Relief Services 

 Commercial Remote Sensing (United States

Geological Survey)

 Community Rating System (National Flood 

Insurance Program-FEMA)

 Community Resilience System 

 Congressional Research Service

CRSP Acquisition Contracting Specialist 

CRT

 Certified Radiologic Technologist 

 Certified Respiratory Therapist 

 Critical Response Team (FBI)

CRTF  Commander, Response Task Force

 Crisis Response Task Force

CRTL

 Communication Restoration Task Force 

Leader 

 Community Recovery Assistance Task Force 

Leader

 Community Planning and Capacity Building 

Task Force Leader

CRTS CART Technical Specialist 

CRUD Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete

CRWB Crew Boss

CRWG  Comprehensive Review Working Group

 Crisis Response Working Group

CRWRC Christian Reformed World Relief Committee

CRYPTO Cryptographic 

CRYSYS Cryospheric/Cryosphere System

CRZ Contamination Reduction Zone
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

92 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CS

 Call Sign 

 Chaplain Service 

 Chief of Staff 

 Command Staff 

 Community Service 

 Cybersecurity 

CS&C Cyber Security and Communications (DHS) 

CS&T

Obsolete: Cyber Security and 

Telecommunication

Replaced by: Cyber Security and 

Communications (DHS)

CS1M Contracting Specialist, 1M

CS25 Contracting Specialist, 25K

CSA

 Chief of Staff (United States Army) 

 Civil Service Annuitant (retired federal 

employees)

 Cognizant Security Authority

 Community Services Administration

 Component Staging Area 

 Cybersecurity Advisor 

CSAC  Chemical Security Analysis Center

 Caller Services and Casework

CSAF Chief of Staff, Air Force

CSB

 Chemical Safety Board 

 United States Chemical Safety and Hazard 

Investigation Board

CSBC Canadian Safe Boating Council 

CSBG Community Services Block Grant

CSC Crisis Standards of Care

CS&C Cybersecurity and Communications, DHS Office 

of 

CSCSWG Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Working Group 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

93 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CSD  Committee Specification Draft 

 Container Security Device

CSDGM Content Standard for Digital Geospatial 

Metadata

CSDP Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program

CSE Communications Security Establishment 

CSELS Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and 

Laboratory Services (CDC) 

CSEM Center for the Study of Emergency 

Management

CSEPP Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness 

Program

CSFP Commodity Supplemental Food Program 

CSG

 Coordinating Sub-Group

 Council of State Governments (supports the 

National Emergency Management 

Association)

 Counterterrorism Security Group

CSH Combat Support Hospital (United States Military 

Field Hospital)

CSHCN Children with Special Health Care Needs 

CSHEMA Campus Safety, Health and Environmental 

Management Associations

CSHIB Chemical Safety and Hazards Investigation 

Board

CSHO

Compliance Safety and Health Officer 

(Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

[OSHA]) 

CSI

 Container Security Initiative

 Crime Scene Investigation 

 Critical Safety Item 

 Customer Satisfaction Index

CSIA Cyber Security and Information Assurance 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

94 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CSID

 Call Subscriber ID

 Centralized Scheduling and Information 

Desk 

CSIL  Commercial Satellite Imagery Library

 Critical and Sensitive Information List 

CSIRC Computer Security Incident Response Center

CSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team

CSIS  Canadian Security Intelligence Service

 Center for Strategic International Studies

CSLF Changes Since Last FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate 

Map) 

CSM  Chemical Surety Material

 Configuration Settings Management 

CSMIP California Strong-Motion Instrumentation 

Program (recording of damaging earthquakes)

CSO

 Campus Security/Safety Officer 

 Chief Security Officer

 Civil Society Organization 

 Component Security Officer

CSP Certified Safety Professional

CSPI  Critical Structure Protection Initiative

 Critical Systems Protective Initiative

CSPO Cargo Systems Program Office

CSREES Cooperative State Research, Education and 

Extension Service

CSRS Civil Service Retirement System

CSS Combat Service Support 

CSSC Center and Staff Support Section Chief 

CSSI Comprehensive School Safety Initiative

CST  Central Standard Time (GMT-6)

 Civil Support Team (National Guard)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

95 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CSTARC Cyber Security Tracking, Analysis and Response 

Center

CSTE Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists

CSU

 Clearing-Staging Unit

 Crime Scene Unit

 Containerized Shower Unit

 Crisis Stabilization Unit (emergency 

behavioral health care) 

CSV Countersurveillance 

CSZ Cascadia Subduction Zone 

CT Counterterrorism

CT/NP-ESG Counterterrorism and National Preparedness 

Exercise Sub-Group

CTA  Chemical Threat Agents 

 Combined Travel Authorization

CTAC Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee

C-TAP Counter-Terrorism Airport Primacy 

CTAT Counterterrorism Threat Analysis Team 

CTB  Climate Test Bed (NOAA) 

 Communications Test Bed (NIST) 

CTBT Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

CTC

 Cholera Treatment Centre 

 Conference and Training Center

 Counterterrorism Center

CTCC Counter-Proliferation Technology Coordinating 

Committee

CTD

 Concept and Technology Development

 Counterterrorist Division

 Cumulative Trauma Disorder

C-TECC Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty 

Care 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

96 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CTF Combined Task Force

CTG Continuing Training Grants Program

CTHA Continued Temporary Housing Assistance 

CTI Computer Telephony Integration

CTIA Cellular Telecommunications and Internet 

Association

CTIIC Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center 

CTISS Common Terrorism Information Sharing 

Standards

CTITC Cyber Threat Intelligence Technical Committee 

CTITF Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force 

(United Nations) 

CTJTF Counter-Terrorism Joint Task Force

CTM Cooperative Topographic Mapping 

CTOC Containerized Tactical Operations Center

CTOS Counter-Terrorism Operations/Operational 

Support 

CTOTF Counter-Terrorism Operations Training Facility

CTP  Common Tactical Picture 

 Cooperating Technical Partners Program 

C-TPAT Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism

CTR  Crew Time Report 

 Contractor 

CTS

 Cellular Telephone Service/System 

 Commodity Tracking System 

 Certified Trauma Specialist 

CTSP Computer Technical Specialist 

CTTA Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority 

CTTP Consolidated Trusted Traveler Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

97 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CTU Chemistry/Toxicology Unit

CTUIR Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 

Reservation

CU Coordination Unit 

cu Cubic

CUI Controlled Unclassified Information

CUL Cost Unit Leader

CULS Cultural Specialist

CUREE Consortium of Universities for Research in 

Earthquake Engineering

CUSEC Central United States Earthquake Consortium

CUSI-SL Commonly Used Sheltering Items and Services 

Listing 

CUSP Central United States Partnership

CV  Combined Verification

 Curriculum Vitae

CVA Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) 

CVE  Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

 Countering Violent Extremism 

CVI Commercial Vehicle Inspection 

CVMBS College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical 

Sciences 

CVO Cascades Volcano Observatory

CVP Citizenship Verification Procedures

CVR

 Chemical Vapor Reaction 

 Conversion Rate 

 Cost, Value and Risk 

 Civil Rights Cadre (FEMA Office of Equal 

Rights) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

98 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

CVS

 Clearance Verification System 

 Commercial Vendor Services 

 Commercial Vessel Safety 

CVSP Creative Services Specialist

CVVFA Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s 

Association

CW  Chemical Warfare/Weapons

 Continuous Wave

CWA

 Chemical Warfare Agent

 Clean Water Act

 County Warning System 

CWC Chemical Weapons Convention

CWG  Concept Working Group

 Continuity of Operations Working Group

CWIN

 Critical Infrastructure Warning Information 

Network

 Cyber Warning Information Network

CWMD Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction 

CWN Call When Needed

CWO

 Chief Watch Officer 

 Climate/Weather/Ocean (modeling and 

simulation) 

 Communications Watch Officer 

CWP Center for Watershed Protection 

CWPP Community Wildfire Protection Plan 

CWS

 Check Writing System

 Church World Service

 Compressed Work Schedule

CWSN Children with Special Needs 

CWU Church Women United

CY Calendar Year
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

99 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

cy cubic yard

CZ Combat Zone 

CZM Coastal Zone Management

CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act

D: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

D2PC An Army computer dispersion modeling 

capability

D2Puff

An Army computer dispersion modeling 

capability that can factor in terrain and wind 

changes

DA

 Damage Assessment 

 Declaration of Applicant

 Direct Assistance 

 Disaster Assistance

D/A Department and Agency 

DAA Designated Accrediting Authority

DAAC Distributed Active Archive Center

DAAMS Depot Area Air Monitoring System

DAAO Disaster Alternate Approving Official 

DAC

 Damage Assessment Center 

 Disaster Application/Assistance Center

 Disaster Assistance Center 

DACL Preliminary Damage Assessment Crew Leader 

DACS Deportable Alien Control System

DAD Deputy Assistant Director

DAE Disaster Assistance Employee

DAEO Designated Agency Ethics Official
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

100 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DAFC Department of the Air Force Civilians 

DAGC Deputy Associate General Counsel

DAICC Domestic Air Interdiction Coordinator Center 

DAID Delayed Aerial Ignition Devices 

DAIP Disaster Assistance Improvement Program

DALIS Disaster Assistance Logistics Information 

System

DALO Disaster Area Liaison Officer

DAM Digital Asset Management

DAMAGES Disaster Accountability Management System

DAMO Department of the Army Military Operations 

DAN Document Accountability Number

DANA Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis 

DAO Defense Attaché Office

DAP

 Disaster Assistance Policy 

 Disaster Assistance Program (United States

Small Business Administration)

DA PAM Department of the Army Pamphlet

DAR

 Damage Assessment Routines 

 Decision, Analysis and Resolution 

 Designated Agency Representative

DARAC Direct Assistance Replacement Assistance 

Consideration

DARCOM Development and Readiness Command

DARIS Disaster Automated Reporting and Information 

System

DARNG Director, Army National Guard 

DARO Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office

DARP Data Access Request Process 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

101 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DARRT Disaster Assistance Response and Recovery 

Technology 

DART

 Daily Advisories/Risk and Threat

 Damage Assessment Reconnaissance Team

 Disaster Animal Response Team 

 Disaster Assessment and Recovery Team 

 Disaster Assistance Response Team (Office 

of United States Foreign Disaster 

Assistance) 

DASA(ECW) Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for the 

Elimination of Chemical Weapons

DASC Disaster Assistance Support Center 

DASH Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS)

DASHO Designated Agency Safety and Health Official

DASP  Damage Assessment Specialist 

 Disaster Assistance Support Program

DAST Disaster Assessment Survey Team

DAT  Damage Assessment Team 

 Disaster Action Team (American Red Cross) 

DAWG Disaster Attaché Working Group

DAWIA Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement 

Act

DB Database

dB Decibel

dB(A), dB(B), dB(C)

Decibel A, B, C (Indicating the Method Used to 

weight Sound Frequencies when Measuring 

Sound Pressure Levels) 

DBA

 Database Administrator

 Design Basis Accident (a postulated 

accident that a nuclear facility must 

withstand while ensuring public health and 

safety)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

102 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DBD1, DBD2 Disaster Survivor Assistance Branch Director 

Type 1, Type 2 

DBF Database File 

DBMS Database Management System

DC

 Dialysis Center

 Direct Current (electrical)

 Distribution Center 

 District of Columbia

 Dry Chemical (type of fire extinguisher) 

DC3 Cyber Crime Center (DOD) 

DCA  Disaster Communication Agreement

DCAA Defense Contract Audit Agency

DCAC Demilitarization Chemical Agent Concentrator

DCAS Document Control and Accountability System

DCBP Double Check Backflow Preventer

DCC  Document Control Center

 Donation Coordination Center

DCCC Defense Collection Coordination Center 

DCCL Hazard Mitigation (HM) DRC Coordination Crew 

Leader 

DCD Deseret Chemical Depot

DCE

 Data Circuit-terminating Equipment 

 Defense Coordinating Element

 Disaster Communications Equipment 

 Disaster Coordinating Element

DCE/MED TF Disaster Coordinating Element/Medical Task 

Force

DCEX HM Advisor Specialist Expert 

DCFO Deputy Chief Financial Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

103 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DCFSA Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

DCG Disaster Control Group

DCGS Distributed Common Ground System 

DCHA Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian 

Assistance, Bureau for (DOS) 

D/CIA Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

DCID Director of Central Intelligence Directive

DCIS Defense Criminal Investigative Service

DCLN Declaration

DCLO Deputy Congressional Liaison Officer

DCM

 Dangerous Cargo Manifest 

 Deputy Chief of Mission (DOS)

 Disaster Case Management 

DCMI Dublin Core Metadata Initiative

DCMS Deputy Commandant for Mission Support 

DCN  Disaster Contractors Network

 Document Control Number

DCO  Defense Coordinating Officer (DOD)

 Disaster Coordinating Office

DCOP Deputy Chief of Party 

DCOS Deputy Chief of Staff 

DCP Development Concept Plan

DCPA Defense Civil Preparedness Agency

DCPDS Defense Civilian Personnel Data System

DCPS Digital Cartographic Production System

DCR Damage Control Resuscitation

DCRF Defense CBRN Response Force (DOD) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

104 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DCS

 Data Collection System

 Defense Communications System

 Defense Courier Service

 Deputy Chief of Staff

 Domestic Communication Strategy 

DCSP Digital Communications Specialist 

DCT  Data Collection Tool

 Donations Coordination Team

DCV Detector Check Valve

DCWDB Direction, Control and Warning Database

DCX Direction and Control Exercise

DD

 Damaged Dwelling

 Data Dictionary 

 Decimal Degrees (Latitude and Longitude) 

 Defensive Driving

 Direct Dial

 Dynamic Data

DDA  Damaged Dwelling Address 

 Deputy Development Advisor 

DDD  Direct Distance Dialing

 Damage, Description, and Dimensions

DDE Dynamic Data Exchange

DDF DHS Data Framework 

DDL Data Definition Language

DDN Obsolete: Defense Data Network (DOD)

DDNR Durable Do Not Resuscitate 

DDNRO Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance 

Office 

DDO  Deputy Director of Operations

 Director of Disaster Operations 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

105 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DDOC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center 

DDOS Distributed Denial of Service

DDP Data-Derived Product

DDR Diaphragm Drift Ratio 

DDRM Deputy Disaster Recovery Manager

DDS Department of Disability Services 

DDT

 Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane 

(Insecticide) 

 Disaster Data Technology

DE

 Defense Emergency (DOD) 

 Detonation 

 District Engineer 

DEA  Data Exchange Agreement

 Drug Enforcement Administration (DOJ)

DEAC Deemed Export Advisory Council

DEAS

Obsolete: Digital Emergency Alert System

Replaced by: IPAWS Open Platform for 

Emergency Networks (OPEN)

DEASTP Digital Evidence Acquisition Specialist Training 

Program

DEC

 Decisions 

 Declaration 

 Director’s Executive Council

 Disaster Emergency Communications

 Disasters Emergency Committee

DECA  Digitally Enhanced Computerized Aide

DECD Department of Economic and Community 

Development

DECK Deck Coordinator

DECON Decontamination

DED Department of Economic Development 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

106 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DED Deferred Enforced Departure (USCIS) 

DEE Department Environmental Executive (DHS)

DEEDS Data Elements for Emergency Department 

Systems (CDC)

DEERS Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System

DEFAC Dining Facility (United States Army) 

DEFCON Defense Condition

deg

Degree - Used as a unit of measurement: of 

angles; a unit of latitude or longitude; denote a 

measurement of temperature (Celsius or 

Fahrenheit); or medical classification of the

severity of an injury 

DEGS Disaster Emergency Communications Group 

Supervisor 

DEI Dose Equivalent Iodine

DELO Deputy Environmental Liaison Officer

Delta Phonetic Alphabet for D 

DEM

 Demobilization 

 Department of Environmental Management

 Department or Division of Emergency 

Management 

 Digital Elevation Model

DEMA  Department of Energy and Military Affairs

DEMS Domestic Emergency Management System

DEN Domestic Events Network

DEO Detention Enforcement Officer

DEOC Emergency Operations Center (CDC)

DEP

 Department of Environmental Protection

 Dependent 

 Domestic Emergency Preparedness

DEPER Deployed Personnel Report 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

107 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DEPS Domestic Emergency Planning System

DEPSEC Deputy Secretary

DEPSECDEF Deputy Secretary of Defense

DEQ Department of Environmental Quality

DERC Damage Estimates, Ranges and Casualties

DERF Defense Emergency Response Fund

DERIS Domestic Emergency Response Information 

Services

DES

 Data Encryption Standard/System

 Disaster Emergency Services

 Distribution of Emergency Supplies 

 Division of Emergency Services

DESCOM Depot System Command

DESCON Designated Control Burn 

DEST Domestic Emergency Support Team (FBI)

DETER Defense Technology Experimental Research

DEW Distant Early Warning

DF Dangerous Fallout 

DFA Direct Federal Assistance

DFAA Delegation of Financial Assistance Authority

DFAIT

Obsolete: Department of Foreign Affairs and 

International Trade

Replaced by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 

Trade and Development (DFATD) (also known 

as Global Affairs Canada)

DFAS Defense Financial Accounting Service

DFATD

Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and 

Development (also known as Global Affairs 

Canada)

DFCO Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

108 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DFIRM Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map

DFIRM-DLG Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map - Digital Line 

Graph

DFMO Duty/District Fire Management Officer 

DFO  Designated Federal Official

 Obsolete: Disaster Field Office

DFOM Disaster Field Operations Management

DFOMC Disaster Field Operations Management Course

DFRN Disaster Federal Register Notice

DFS Department of Family Services 

DFSG Disaster Financial Services Group

DFSR Disaster Financial Status Report

DFTO

 Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization 

 Disaster Field Training Office

 Disaster Field Training 

Operations/Organization 

DG/CS Dangerous Goods/Cargo Security

DGCO Deputy Grant Coordinating Officer

DGLS Differential Global Location System 

DGMQ Division of Global Migration and Quarantine 

(CDC) 

DGN Design Filename Extension

DGPS Differential Global Positioning System

DGS Department Guidance Statement 

DGSA DOD Goal Security Architecture

DGZ Desired Ground Zero (location of a planned 

nuclear explosion)

DH Disaster Housing
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

109 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DHA

 Direct Housing Assistance 

 Disaster Housing Assistance (Department of 

Housing and Urban Development [HUD]) 

DHAP Disaster Housing Assistance Program (HUD)

DHAT

Obsolete: Direct Housing Assistance Team

Replaced by: Sheltering and Housing Field 

Team (SHFT)

DHC Disaster Housing Checkwriter

DHCD Department of Housing and Community 

Development

DHelp Disaster Help Website

DHF Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

DHHS United States Department of Health and 

Human Services 

DHO

Obsolete: Disaster Housing Officer

Replaced by: Individual Assistance/Housing 

Assistance Program Manager 

DHP

Obsolete: Disaster Housing Program

Replaced by: Individuals and Households 

Program (IHP)/Housing Assistance (HA)

DHS

 Disaster Health Service

 United States Department of Homeland 

Security

DHS IP

Obsolete: DHS Office of Infrastructure 

Protection

Replaced by: DHS National Protection and 

Programs Directorate (NPPD) Office of 

Infrastructure Protection (IP)

DHUD Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

DI

 Disability Integration (Office of Disability 

Integration and Coordination [ODIC]) 

 Data Integration 

DIA Defense Intelligence Agency

DIAC Defense Intelligence and Analysis Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

110 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DIAD Disability Integration Advisor

DIAO Deputy Individual Assistance Officer

DIB Defense Industrial Base

DIC Deputy Incident Commander

DID  Direct Inward Dial

 Digital Identification 

DIDA Detection, Identification and Assessment

DIDS Decision Information Distribution System

DIFAX Digital Facsimile

DIHS Division of Immigration Health Services

DII Defense Information Infrastructure

DIL Derived Intervention Level

DIMC Digital Identity Management Center

DIME Delayed, Immediate, Minimal or Expectant 

(Radiation Triage Category) 

DIMHRS Defense Integrated Military Human Resources 

System

DIMO Defense Institute for Medical Operations

DIMOS Drug Intelligence Method of Operation System

DIR  Director

 Domestic Imagery Requirement(s)

DIRC Disaster Information Resource Center

DIRNSA Director, National Security Agency

DIS 

 Defense Investigative Service

 Designed-in Security 

 Distributed Interactive Simulation

DISA Defense Information Systems Agency

DISC Disaster Information System Clearinghouse
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

111 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DISCO Distribution/Consolidation 

DISE Distributed Incident Simulation Exercise 

DISN Defense Information System Network 

DISN-LES DISN Leading Edge Services 

DISP Data Integration Specialist 

DISUM  Daily Intelligence Summary

 Disaster Summary

DITA Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) 

DIVS Division/Group Supervisor

DL Distance Learning 

DLA Defense Logistics Agency (DOD)

DLG Digital Line Graph

DLG-3 Digital Line Graph Level 3

DLL Dynamic-Link Library

DLN Department of Defense Lab Network 

DLS  Day Light Savings (Time) 

 Disaster Legal Services

DLSGP Driver's License Security Grant Program

DLT Department Leadership Team

DM

 Damage Measure 

 Decimal Minutes (latitude and longitude) 

 Dimension

 Disaster Management

DMA

 Defense Mapping Agency

 Department of Military Affairs 

 Designated Market Area

 Disaster Mitigation Act

DMA 2000, DMA2K Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

112 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DMAC  Disaster Management Advisory Committee

 Diversity Management Advisory Council 

DMAG DHS Deputy’s Management Action Group 

DMARC Demarcation Point 

DMARTS Document Management and Records Tracking 

System 

DMAT Disaster Medical Assistance Team (HHS)

DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center

DME

 Decision Making Exercise 

 Deputy Medical Examiner 

 Designated Medical Examiner 

 Development, Modernization and 

Enhancement 

 Distance Measuring Equipment 

 Durable Medical Equipment 

DMER Disaster Management and Emergency 

Response 

DMG Damage 

DMH  Department of Mental Health

 Disaster Mental Health

DMHT Disaster Mental Health Team 

DMI  Disaster Management Interoperability

 Director Military Intelligence (DOD) 

DMIATF Data Management Improvement Act Task Force 

DMIGS Domestic Mobile Integrated GeospatialIntelligence System

DMIS

 Disaster Management Information System 

 Disaster Management Interoperability 

Services

DMOB Demobilization Unit Leader
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

113 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DMORT Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team 

(HHS)

DMRIS Defense Medical Regulating Information 

System

DMRS Data Management and Retrieval System

DMS

 Defense Message System 

 Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (latitude and 

longitude) 

 Dispatch Messaging System 

 Document Management System

DMSE Disaster Management Support Environment 

DMSO Defense Modeling and Simulation Office 

DMSP Donation Management Specialist 

DMSS Defense Medical Surveillance System

DMT Disaster Management Team (United Nations) 

DMV  Department of Motor Vehicles

 DC, Maryland, Virginia

DNAT Defense Nuclear Advisory Team

DNBI Disease and Non-battle Injury 

DND Department of National Defense

DNDO Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DHS)

DNF Did Not Finish

DNFSB Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

DNI Director of National Intelligence

DNR Department of Natural Resources

DNS

 Date Not Specified 

 Defense National Stockpile 

 Department of Nuclear Safety

DNSC Defense National Stockpile Center (DOD) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

114 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DNSSEC Domain Name System Security Extensions

DNU Do Not Use 

DNV Diarrhea and Vomiting 

DO

 Designated Official

 Digital Orthophoto (aerial photography or 

satellite imagery)

 Director of Operations

 Disaster Operations 

 Distribution Order 

DOA 

 Date of Arrival 

 Dead On Arrival

 Delegation Of Authority 

 Department of Agriculture

DOB 

 Date of Birth

 Depth of Burn 

 Duplication of Benefits

DOC 

 United States Department of Commerce

 Department of Conservation

 Department of Corrections

 Department Operations Center

 Discrete Organic Chemicals

DOCL Documentation Unit Leader

DOCU Documentation Unit 

DOD United States Department of Defense

DODAF Department of Defense Architecture Framework 

DODD Department of Defense Directive

DODESB Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board

DODI Department of Defense Instruction 

DODMS DOD Discovery Metadata Standard

DODRDB Department of Defense Resource Database
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

115 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DOE United States Department of Energy

DOEd, DoED United States Department of Education

DOF Department of Forestry 

DOG Deployable Operations Group

DOH Department of Health

DOHMH Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 

DOI United States Department of the Interior

DOIM Director of Information Management

DOJ United States Department of Justice

DOK Disaster Operations Keystone

DOL United States Department of Labor

DOLP Disaster Operations Leadership Program

DOM  Disaster Operations Manager 

 Disaster Operations Manual

DOMO Domestic Operations (USCIS)

DOMS Director of Military Support (United States Army) 

DON

 Department of the Navy 

 Determination of Need 

 Donation

DONAT Donation

DOQ 

Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (image 

rectification related to aerial photography or 

satellite imagery)

DOS 

 Department of State

 Director of Security

 Dosimeter (personnel radiation exposure 

device)

DOSC Deputy Operations Section Chief 

DOSP Document Specialist 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

116 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DOT United States Department of Transportation

DOTMLPF

Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, 

Leadership and Education, Personnel and 

Facilities 

DOZB Dozer Boss (bulldozer) (NWCG) 

DP

 Delivery point

 Departure Point

 Depth

 Disaster Preparedness

 Distribution Point 

DP#

Drop Point Number (Drop points are numbered 

and marked locations on a fire where people 

meet, equipment is exchanged and resources 

may be stationed)

DPA

 Daily Plan of Action 

 Deepwater Ports Act

 Defense Procurement Agency 

 Defense Production Act

 Delegation of Procurement Authority

DPAO  Deputy Public Affairs Officer

 Deputy Public Assistance Officer

DPAS Defense Priorities and Allocations System

DPC Domestic Policy Council

DPETAP Obsolete: Domestic Preparedness Equipment 

Technical Assistance Program

DPFO Deputy Principal Federal Official

DPG Defense Planning Guidance

DPIC Deputy Incident Commander 

DPIG Disaster Preparedness Improvement Grant

DPM Disintegrations Per Minute

DPMG Public Assistance Data Processing Manager 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

117 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DPMT Disaster Pediatric Medical Team

DPMU Disaster/Deployable Portable Morgue Unit

DPOD Disaster Personnel Operations Division

DPO-MA Defense Program Office for Mission Assurance 

DPP  Disaster Processing Procedures

 Domestic Preparedness Program

DPPC Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners

DPRE Displaced Persons, Refugees and Evacuees

DPRO Display Processor

DPS  Department of Public Safety

 Defense Planning Scenario (DOD) 

DPSP Public Assistance Data Processing Specialist 

DPT Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus 

DPV Dry Pipe Valve (fire sprinkler systems) 

DPW Department of Public Works

DQ2 Data Quality Framework Project 

DR

 Disaster Declaration Number

 Disaster Recovery

 Disaster Request 

 Disaster Response

D&R Debrief and Reintegrate 

DR/N Disaster Request/Number 

DRASH Deployable Rapid-Assembly Shelter

DRAT District Response Advisory Team

DRC

 Diplomatic Residence Compound 

 Disability Resource Center 

 Disaster Recovery Center

 Disaster Recovery Coordinator 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

118 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DRD Direct-Reading Dosimeter

DREC Deputy Regional Emergency Coordinator

DRES Disaster Response Evaluation System

DREX Disaster Recovery Center Support Specialist 

Expert 

DRF

 Disaster Relief Fund

 Disaster Resilience Fellows 

 Disaster Response Force

DRG

 Digital Raster Graphic (scan digital image)

 Disaster Response Group

 District Response Group

 Domestic Readiness Group 

 Domestic Resilience Group 

DRGS Disaster Recovery Center Group Supervisor 

DRI Disaster Risk Index 

DRII Disaster Recovery Institute International 

DRL Derived Response Levels

DRM

 Data Reference Model

 Disaster Recovery Manager

 Disaster Risk Management 

DRMG Disaster Recovery Center Manager 

DRMT Disaster Response Management Team 

(American Red Cross) 

DRMU Deployment Risk Mitigation Unit (CDC) 

DRO

 Detention and Removal Office (ICE) 

 Disaster Recovery Operations 

 Dispute Resolution Officer 

DRP Division of Radiation Protection

DRR Disaster Risk Reduction 

DRR/M Disaster Risk Reduction/Management 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

119 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DRS  Disaster Reconnaissance System

 Disaster Readiness and Support 

DRSF Disaster Response Support Facilities

DRSS Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards

DRT Disaster Response Team 

DRTF Disaster Relief Task Force

DRTL Disaster Recovery Center Task Force Leader 

DRTS Debris Removal Tracking System 

DRU

 Direct Reporting Unit

 Disaster Resistant Universities

 Disaster Response Unit

DRWD Disaster Reserve Workforce Division

DS

 Damage Survey

 Deputy Secretary

 Diplomatic Security 

DS 0-4 Digital Signal 0-4 (use in telecommunications 

systems to carry a digitized voice/phone call)

DSA

 Digital Standard Algorithm

 Disaster Survivor Assistance Program 

 Daily Subsistence Allowance 

DSA CL Disaster Survivor Assistance Crew Leader 

DSA GS Disaster Survivor Assistance Group Supervisor 

DSA SA Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist Advisor 

DSA TFL Disaster Survivor Assistance Task Force Leader 

DSAS Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist 

DSAT Disaster Survivor Assistance Team 

DSB Defense Science Board

DSBCC Detection Systems for Biological and Chemical 

Countermeasures
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

120 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DSC  Digital Selective Calling

 Dual-Status Commander 

DSCA  Defense Security Cooperation Agency 

 Defense Support to Civil Authorities

DSCO Deputy State Coordinating Officer

DSCS Defense Satellite Communications System

DSE Deployable Support Elements 

DSEA Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003

DSEC Deputy Secretary

DSEL Dynamic Synchronization Event Log

DSER Disaster Static Economic Resilience 

DSES Directory Services and Email System

DSFO Deputy Senior FEMA Official

DSFS Disaster Survivor Field Services 

DSGS Disaster Survivor Assistance Group Supervisor 

DSL Digital Subscriber Line

DSM  Data Storage Management

 Dry Skim Milk 

DSN Defense Switched Network 

D-SNAP Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance 

Program 

DSNET 1

Obsolete: Defense Secure Network One

Replaced by: Secret IP Router Network 

(SIPRNet)

DSNET 2

Obsolete: Defense Secure Network Two

Replaced by: Joint Worldwide Intelligence 

Communications System (JWICS)

DSNET 3

Obsolete: Defense Secure Network Three

Replaced by: Joint Worldwide Intelligence 

Communications System (JWICS)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

121 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DSNS Division of Strategic National Stockpile (CDC) 

DSO  Director of Site Operations

 Disaster Safety Officer

DSP Disaster Support Package

DSPD Defense Support to Public Diplomacy 

DSR  Daily Summary Report 

 Damage Survey Report

DSRI Disaster Science Research Initiative 

DSS

 Digital Signature Standard

 Diplomatic Security Service

 Disaster Severity Scale 

 Disease Surveillance System 

DSSG Defense Science Study Group

DST Decision Support Tools 

DSTL Disaster Survivor Assistance Task Force Leader 

DSU Distress Signal Unit 

DSWA Defense Special Weapons Agency (DOD)

DT Development Team

DTAC Disaster Technical Assistance Center (HHS)

DT/CPS Domestic Terrorism/Counterterrorism Planning 

Section (FBI)

DTAPPS Disposable Toxicological Agent Personal 

Protection System

DTD  Data Transfer Device

 Document Type Definition

DTE  Data Terminal Equipment 

 Disaster Temporary Employee

DTED Digital Terrain Elevation Data

DTG Date-Time Group
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

122 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DTIC Defense Technical Information Center

DTM Digital Terrain Model

DTMF Dual Tone Multi-Frequency 

DTMS Disaster Transportation Management System

DTO Drug Trafficking Organization

DTOC Deployable Tactical Operations Center

DTOS Deployable Tactical Operations System

DTP Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis 

DTRA Defense Threat Reduction Agency

DTRG  Defense Technical Response Group

 DOD Technical Response Group

DTRIM Domestic Threat Reduction and Incident 

Management

DTS  Deployment Tracking System 

 Diplomatic Telecommunications Service

DTSA Defense Technical Security Agency

DU

 Dobson Unit (measuring ozone 

concentration)

 Dwelling Unit 

DUA Disaster Unemployment Assistance 

DUH Detached Unit Housing

DUI Driving Under the Influence 

DUL Documentation Unit Leader (NWCG) 

DULL SWORD Nuclear Safety Deficiency or Accident Code 

Word 

DUNS Number Data Universal Numbering System Number

DUP Duplicate Application 

DUS Deputy Under Secretary 

DUSM Deputy United States Marshal
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

123 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

DUSTOFF Call Sign for Army MEDEVAC Helicopter

DV

 Dengue Virus 

 Digital Video 

 Distinguished Visitor

DVD Digital Versatile Disk

DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

DW Data Window

DWCA Defense Workforce Certification Application 

DWG Drawing Filename Extension

DWI

 Disaster Welfare Information (American Red 

Cross)

 Disaster Welfare Inquiry (American Red 

Cross)

 Drinking Water Intake 

 Driving While Intoxicated

DWL Directed Work Location 

DWM Dry Whole Milk 

DWML Digital Weather Markup Language 

DWR Department of Water Resources

DWT Dead Weight

DXF Drawing Exchange Format

DZ Drop Zone 

DZOP Dozer Operator 

E: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

E 911 Enhanced 9-1-1 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

124 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EA

 Emergency Action or Assistance

 Enterprise Architecture

 Environmental Assessment

 Executive Assistant 

 Expedited Assistance 

 External Affairs

EAAC Emergency Access Advisory Committee 

EAB  Enterprise Architecture Board

 Exclusion Area Boundary

EAC Emergency Action Committee (DOS) 

EACC Eastern Area Coordination Center

EACG Eastern Area Coordinating Group

EACOE Enterprise Architecture Center of Excellence

EACRS Emergency Automated Computerized Retrieval 

System

EACT Emergency Action and Coordination Team

EAD

 Employment Authorization Document

 Environmental Assistance Division 

 Executive Associate Director

EADB Emergency Authorities Database (DOD) 

EADRCC Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination 

Center

EADRU Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Unit 

EAEX Engineering and Architect Technical Specialist 

EAG

 Emergency Action Guideline 

 Exercise Analysis Group

 External Affairs Guidance 

EAGLE Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading 

Edge Solutions

EAGLE-1 Environment for Analysis of Geo-Located Energy 

Information (DOE) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

125 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EAI Enterprise Application Integration

EAIR EAR Enterprise Architecture Repository 

EAL

 Emergency Action Level

 Entry Authority List

 Evaluation Assurance Level 

EAM Emergency Action Message

EAN Extended Area Network 

EAO  Emergency Action Officer 

 Energy Assurance Office

EAP

 Emergency Action Plan 

 Emergency Action Procedures

 Emergency Assistance Personnel

 Employee Assistance Program

 Event Action Plan

e-APIS electronic-Advanced Passenger Information 

System

EAPMO Enterprise Architecture Program Management 

Office

EAR  Emergency Alert Radio

 Exercise Analysis Report

EARN Employer Assistance Referral Network

EARS Emergency Animal Rescue Service

EART Evening Advisory Risk Threat

EAS

Obsolete: Emergency Alert System

Replaced by: Digital Emergency Alert System 

(DEAS)

EASP  Engineering and Architect Specialist 

 External Affairs Specialist 

EAWA Employ American Workers Act

EBG Evidence-Based Guidelines 

EBMO Enterprise Business Management Office (DHS) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

126 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EBR Endogenous Biological Regulators

EBS Obsolete: Emergency Broadcast System

Replaced by: Emergency Alert System (EAS)

EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer

EC

 Education Coordinator 

 Elevation Certificate

 Emergency Coordinator

 Emergency Care 

 Extraordinary Circumstances 

 Executive Committee 

ECA  Earth-orbit Crossing Asteroid 

 Emergency Controlling Authority 

ECAPS Enterprise Coordination and Approval 

Processing System

ECBC Edgewood Chemical Biological Center

ECC  Emergency Communications Center

 Emergency Coordination Center 

ECCC Emergency Care Coordination Center 

ECCS  Emergency Command and Control System 

 Emergency Core Cooling System

ECCV Emergency Command and Control Vehicle

ECD

 Effective Cumulative Dose

 Emergency Contacts Directory

 Estimated Completion Date

ECDC European Center for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

ECF  Emergency Communications Forum 

 Extended Care Facility 

ECFG Emergency Coordination Functional Group
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

127 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ECG

 Emergency Coordination Group

 Exercise Control Group

 Enduring Constitutional Government

ECH Echelon (subdivision of a headquarters) 

ECHA Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs 

(United Nations) 

ECHO European Community Humanitarian Office 

Echo Phonetic Alphabet for E 

ECI Export-Controlled Information

ECIP Enhanced Critical Infrastructure Protection 

ECL Emergency Classification Level

ECM Electronic Countermeasures 

ECMA European Computer Manufacturers Association 

ECN Executive Control Node

E-Correspondence Electronic Correspondence 

ECO  Elected County Official

 Emergency Coordinating Officer 

ECP

 Emergency Conservation Program 

 Entry Control Point

 Exposure Control Plan 

ECPC Emergency Communications Preparedness 

Center (DHS)

ECRE European Council on Refugees and Exiles 

ECS

 Electronic Certification System

 Emergency Communications Staff

 Emergency Coordinating Staff

ECSA Exchange Carriers Standards Association 

ECSAP Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program

ECSP Environmental Compliance Review Specialist 

(Environmental Historic Preservation) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

128 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ECT  Emergency Coordinating Team

 Exercise Control Team

ECTF Electronic Crimes Task Force

ECU Environmental Control Unit

ECWAG Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant

ED

 United States Department of Education 

 Effective Dose

 Emergency Declaration 

 Emergency Department

 Executive Director 

ED&DG Exercise Design and Development Group

EDA

 Economic Development Administration

 Estimated Date of Arrival 

 Event, Decision, Action 

EDAC Economic Defense Advisory Committee

EDAP Excess Delivery Acquisition Program

EDC

 Energy Disruption Committee

 Earth Resources Observation and Science 

(EROS) Data Center (United States 

Geological Survey)

EDD Explosive Detection Device

EDE Effective Dose Equivalent

EDEN Education Disaster Extension Network

EDGE Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment 

(virtual training platform) (DHS) 

EDI Electronic Data Interchange

EDIFACT EDI for Administration, Commerce and 

Transport

EDIS Emergency Disaster Information System

EDITH Exit Drills in the Home
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

129 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EDL Environmental Disposal Liability

EDMO Enterprise Data Management Office

EDPP Electronic Design and Pre-Press

EDR

 Earthquake Data Report 

 Economic Development Representative

 Emergency Detour Route 

EDRC

 Emergency Disaster Response Coordinator 

(Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance

[OFDA]) 

 Expanded Dispatch Recorder

EDS Explosive Detection System

EDT  Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4)

 Explosive Device Team

EDW Enterprise Data Warehouse 

EDXL

Emergency Data Exchange Language 

(Organization for the Advancement of 

Structured Information Standards [OASIS]) 

EDXL-CAP EDXL Common Alerting Protocol (OASIS) 

EDXL-DE EDXL Distribution Element (OASIS)

EDXL-HAVE EDXL Hospital Availability Exchange (OASIS) 

EDXL-RM EDXL Resource Messaging (OASIS)

EDXL-TEC EDXL Tracking of Emergency Clients (OASIS) 

EDXL-TEP EDXL Tracking of Emergency Patients (OASIS) 

EEE  Eastern Equine Encephalitis

 Essential Evaluation Elements

EEFI Essential Elements of Friendly Information 

EEG Exercise Evaluation Guide

EEGL Emergency Exposure Guidance Level

EEI  Essential Elements of Information 

 External Environment Interface
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

130 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EEM Exercise Evaluation Methodology

EENA European Emergency Number Association 

EENET Emergency Education Network 

EEO

 Equal Employment Office

 Equal Employment Opportunity 

 Explosives Enforcement Officer (ATF) 

EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EEP Exercise and evaluation Program 

EEPT Entry Exit Program Team 

EER Eligible Existing Resources

EERA Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement 

EERI Earthquake Engineering Research Institute

EESL Extreme Events Simulation Laboratory

EET Emergency Evacuation Team

EEVS Employment Eligibility Verification System

EEW/S Earthquake Early Warning/System 

EEX Employee Express

EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone

EFAP Emergency Food Assistance Program

EFF Emergency Firefighter 

EFH Essential Fish Habitat 

EFO Emergency Field Office

EFOP Executive Fire Officer Program

EFP Emergency Food Program

EFp Emission Factor 

EFPOP Executive Fire Prevention Officer Program

EFS Emergency Food and Shelter 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

131 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EFSA Escaped Fire Situation Analysis 

EFSNB Emergency Food and Shelter National Board

EFSP

 Emergency Food and Shelter Program 

 Environmental Floodplain Specialist

(Environmental and Historic Preservation) 

EFT Electronic Funds Transfer

E-GIS DHS-wide Enterprise GIS System

EGM Enhancing Grants Management

E-Gov Electronic Government (OMB)

EGSP Energy Specialist 

EHAD Environmental and Historic Preservation 

Advisor

EHM Earthquake Hazard Mitigation

EHMG Environmental and Historic Preservation 

Manager

EHP Environmental and Historic Preservation

EHR Electronic Health Records

EHRP Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (United 

States Geological Survey) 

EHS

 Emergency Health Services 

 Environmental Health and Safety 

 Extremely Hazardous Substance

EHU Emergency Housing Unit

EI Exercise Information

EIA Electronic Industries Alliance 

EIC  Engineer in Charge 

 Emergency Interoperability Consortium

EICC Emergency Information and Coordination 

Center

EID Enforcement Integrated Database
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

132 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EIDA Executive Information and Display Area

EIDL Economic Injury Disaster Loan

EIE Emergency Information Exchange 

EIEIO Engineering Instruction/Engineering 

Implementation Order 

EIEM Enterprise Information Exchange Model 

EIF European Interoperability Framework 

EIIP Emergency Information Infrastructure 

Partnership

EIM Emergency Information Management 

EIMA Emergency Information and Media Affairs

EIN Employer Identification Number

EIO Emergency Information Officer

EIPA Emergency Information and Public Affairs

EIPT Exercise Integrated Process Team

EIRS Emergency Information Retrieval System

EIS

 Emergency Information System

 Environmental Impact Statement

 Epidemiological Intelligence Service (CDC)

EIT Electronic Information Technology

E&IT Electronic and Information Technology 

EITS Enhanced International Travel Security System

EJ Environmental Justice

EKG Electrocardiogram 

EL Engineering Laboratory 

ELA Emergency Lodging Assistance 

ELC Engineering Logistics Center

ELEC Electric 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

133 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ELF

 Earth Liberation Front 

 Emergency Loan Fund 

 Extremely Low Frequency 

ELINT Electronic Intelligence

ELO  Enabling Learning Objectives

 Environmental Liaison Officer

ELR Emergency Logistics Request 

ELSEC Electronic Security 

ELT  Emergency Location Transmitter

 Evacuation Liaison Team 

EM

 Emergency Declaration 

 Emergency Management

 Emergency Manager

 Environmental Management

 Exercise Manual

EMA Emergency Management Agency

EMAC Emergency Management Assistance Compact 

EMAP Emergency Management Accreditation Program

EMAS Emergency Management Assessment System

EMBAG Emergency Management Baseline Assessment 

Grant Program

EMC

 Emergency Management Coordinator

 Emergency Medical Care 

 Equilibrium Moisture Content 

 Expanded Medical Capacity 

EMCA Europe, Middle East and Central Asia 

EMD

 Electronic Monitoring Device

 Emergency Management Director

 Emergency Management Division

 Emergency Medical Dispatcher
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

134 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EMERCOM Emergency Command

EMERGCON Emergency Condition

EMERS Emergency Management Exercise Reporting 

System

EMF  Electromagnetic Field 

 Expeditionary Medical Facility 

EMI  Electromagnetic Interference

 Emergency Management Institute 

EMIO Expanded Maritime Interdiction Operation

EMIS Emergency Management Information System

EML Environmental Measurements Laboratory

EMMA Emergency Managers Mutual Aid 

EMMIE Emergency Management Mission Integrated 

Environment (FEMA’s grant tracking program)

EMNPP Emergency Management and National 

Preparedness Program

EMO

 Emergency Management Organizations 

(Provincial and Territorial-Canadian) 

 Emergency Medical Operations 

EMOP Emergency Operations 

EMOC  Emergency Management Operations Center

 Emergency Management Operations Course

EMP

 Electromagnetic Pulse

 Emergency Management Plan or Program

 Emergency Medical Personnel 

 Emergency Preparedness 

 Environmental Management Program 

(USACE)

EMPA Emergency Management Planning and 

Assistance 

EMPG Emergency Management Performance Grant
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

135 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EMPO Emergency Medical Preparedness Office

EMPP Emergency Management Professional Program 

EMPS Emergency Management Program Specialist

EMPTY QUIVER Theft, Seizure, or Loss of a Nuclear Weapon or 

Component Code Word

EMR

 Electromagnetic Radiation

 Emergency Medical Responder 

 Emergency Minimal Repair

 Environmental Management Review

EMR-ISAC Emergency Management and ResponseInformation Sharing and Analysis Center 

EMRS Emergency Management Response System

EMRT Emergency Medical Response Team

EMS

 Emergency Management Specialist

 Emergency Medical Services

 Emergency Medical System

 Environmental Management System

 Evacuation Management System

 Expeditionary Medical Support 

EMSAT Emergency Medical Satellite Training 

EMSC EMS for Children 

EMSCC Emergency Medical Services Chiefs of Canada 

EMSEC Emission Security 

EMSHG Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare 

Group

EMSI Emergency Medical Services Instructor 

EMSR Emergency Medical Services Registry 

EMSSA Emergency Medical Services System Act

EMSTF Emergency Medical Services Training Fund 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

136 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EMT

 Emergency Management Team

 Emergency Management Training

 Emergency Medical Technician

EMTALA Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor 

Act

EMTASC Emergency Management Training, Analysis and 

Simulation Center

EMT-B Emergency Medical Technician – Basic

EMTC Emergency Management Training Center 

EM-TC Emergency Management Technical Committee 

(OASIS) 

EMT-I Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate

EMT-P Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic

EMWIN Emergency Managers Weather Information 

Network

ENA  Emergency Nursing Association 

 Emergency Nutrition Assessment 

ENC Emergency News Center 

END Exotic Newcastle Disease

ENDEX End of Exercise

ENGB Engine Boss

ENOP Engine Operator

ENR Environmental and Natural Resources

ENS Emergency Notification Service/System

ENSO El Nino-Southern Oscillation

ENSP Environmental Specialist (Environmental and 

Historic Preservation)

ENUL Energy Unit Leader 

E number Equipment number

ENVL Environmental 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

137 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EO

 Earth Orbit 

 Elected Officials 

 Emergency Office

 Emergency Operation 

 Environmental Officer

 Executive Order

 Explosive Ordnance 

E.O. Executive Order of the President

EO/IR Electro-Optical/Infrared

EOC

 Emergency Operations Center

 Enterprise Operations Center 

 European Olympic Committee

EOC-I EOC-interconnectivity (Washington, DC) 

EOD  Entered on Duty

 Explosive Ordnance Disposal

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

EOEA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

EOF

 Emergency Operating Facility

 Emergency Operations Facility

 End of File 

 Escalation of Force 

EOG  Executive Office of the Governor 

 Exercise Observation Group

EOIR Executive Office for Immigration Review

EOM End of Month

EOMS Emergency Operations Management System 

EOO Emergency Operations Organization

EOP

 Emergency Operations/Operating Plan

 Executive Office of the President

 Extent of Play
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

138 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EOPT Emergency Operations Planning Template

EOS

 Earth-Observing System

 Emergency Management Assistance 

Compact (EMAC)-Operations System 

 Emergency Operating System 

 Emergency Operations Software

 Emergency Operations Staff 

EOT Emergency Operations Team

EOUSA Executive Office for United States Attorneys 

(DOJ) 

EOV Emergency Operations Vehicle

EOW Envelope of Water

EP

 Electric Power

 Emergency Physician 

 Emergency Procedures 

 Emergency Programs

 Environmental Protection

EP&A Environmental Planning and Assessment 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

EPAD Emergency Provider Access Directory

EPAL Enterprise Privacy Authorization Language

EPAP

 Equipment Purchase Assistance Program

 Emergency Pharmaceutical Assistance 

Program 

EPC  Emergency Preparedness Council 

 Emergency Preparedness Canada

EPCA Energy Policy and Conservation Act

EPCIP European Programme for Critical Infrastructure 

Protection 

ePCR Electronic Patient Care Record 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

139 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act

EPD Electronic Personnel Dosimeter

EPEAT Electronic Product Environmental Assessment 

Tool

EPG

 Electrical Power Generator 

 Emergency Planning Guide

 Enhanced Protective Glass 

 Environmental Planning Group 

 Exercise Preparation Guide

EPI

 Emergency Public Information

 Epinephrine (use in an emergency autoinjector device) 

 Expanded Program for Immunization 

EPIC

 Electronic Privacy Information Center

 Emergency Preparedness Information 

Coordinator

EPICS Emergency Preparedness Incident Command 

Stimulation

EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon 

EPL Evaluated Products List

EPLO Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer

EPMS Environmental Portable Monitoring System

EPO Environmental Protection Officer

EPOC  Emergency Point of Contact

 Emergency Preparedness Operations Center

EPP  Emergency Preparedness Program

 Employee Personal Page

EPPC Emergency Prevention and Preparedness 

Council 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

140 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EPPM

 Emergency Planning, Preparedness and

Mobilization

 Environmental Planning Program Manager

EPR or EP&R Emergency Preparedness and Response

EPRCA Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act 

EPRF Electronic Patient Report Form 

EPRO Emergency Preparedness and Response Office 

EPRS Emergency Preparedness and Response 

Section (UNHCR) 

EPS

 Earthquake Protective Systems 

 Electrical Power System

 Emergency Power Supply 

 Exercise Planning Staff 

EPSCoR Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 

Research

EPT Emerging Pandemic Threats (United States

Agency for International Development [USAID]) 

ePTB Electronic Position Task Book (FEMA’s National 

Qualification System)

EPW Exercise Planning Workshop

EPZ  Emergency Planning Zone

 Exposure Pathway Zone 

EQPCE Earthquake Preparedness Center of Expertise

EQPI Equipment Inspector

EQPM Equipment Manager

EQTR Equipment Time Recorder

EQUIP Earthquake Impacts Projection (Model)

E-Quip Electronic Questionnaire for Investigation 

Processing
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

141 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ER

 Emergency Relief

 Emergency Response 

 Emergency Room 

 Equal Rights

 Evaluation Report 

E-R 

Entity-Relationship (describes inter-related 

things of interest in a specific domain of 

knowledge) 

ERA Equal Rights Amendment

ERAC Engineering, Reporting and Analysis Committee 

ERAMS Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring 

System

ERB Economic Resources Board

ERC

 Emergency Response Center

 Emergency Response Coordinator

 Energy Release Component (potential 

energy per square foot of flaming front at the 

head of a fire) 

ERCG Emergency Response Coordination Group

ERCP Emergency Response Concept Plan

ERDA Energy Research and Development 

Administration

ERDC

 Engineer Research and Development Center 

(United States Army)

 Enhanced Rapid Deployable Capacity 

ER-EHR Emergency Responder Emergency Health 

Record 

ERF Emergency Response Facility

ER-FOG Emergency Responder Field Operating Guide

ERG Emergency Relocation Group

ERHMS Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and 

Surveillance 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

142 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ERL Environmental Research Laboratories 

ERLink Emergency Response Link

ERLN Environmental Response Laboratory Network 

ERM  Elevation Reference Mark

 Enterprise Risk Management 

ERMS  Emergency Resource Management System

 Emergency Response Management System 

ERN Emergency Response Network

ERO

 Emergency Response Official

 Equal Rights Office

 Equal Rights Officer

EROS Earth Resources Observing Satellite

ERP

 Elevation Reference Point

 Emergency Recovery Plan 

 Emergency Response Plan

 Emergency Response Procedures 

ERPA Emergency Response Planning Area

ERPG Emergency Response Guidelines

ERPS  Effluents Radiation Protection Section

 Emergency Response Planning Scenario

ERRO Emergency Response/Recovery Office (USACE)

ERRS Emergency and Rapid Response Services

ERS  Emergency Relocation Site

 Executive Reporting System

ERSAC Emergency Response Senior Advisory 

Committee

ERT

 Emergency Response Team

 Environmental Response Team

 Evidence Recovery Team

 Evidence Response Team
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

143 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ERT:BC Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic 

Concepts

ERT:SS Emergency Response to Terrorism: Self-Study

ERT-A Emergency Response Team - Advance Element 

ERT-N Emergency Response Team – National 

ERT-N-NCR National Emergency Response Team for the 

National Capital Region 

ERT-S Emergency Response Team Support Capability

ERU  Emergency Response Unit 

 Emergency Recovery Unit 

ERV Emergency Response Vehicle

ERW Enhanced Radiation Weapon

ERWG Emergency Response Working Group 

ES

 Elementary School 

 Emergency Services 

 Emergency Shelter 

 Emergency Support

 Environmental Specialist 

ES-SSA Emergency Services Sector-Specific Agency 

ESA

 Endangered Species Act

 Essential Support Activities 

 Emergency Services Access 

ESAP Energy Security and Assurance Program

ESBD Emergency Services Branch Director

ESAR-VHP

Emergency System for the Advanced 

Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals 

(HHS)

ESC  Executive Steering Committee

 Executive Steering Council 

ESCAT Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic Plan 

(Canada) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

144 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ESD  Emergency Services Director

 Enterprise Service Desk 

ESDP Engineering Study Data Package

ESDPF Engineering Study Data Package Facility

ESDRB Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Branch

ESEC Executive Secretariat

ESF Emergency Support Function

ESF 01 Transportation (ESF Coordinator: DOT) 

ESF 02 Communications (ESF Coordinator: DHS/CISA) 

ESF 03 Public Works and Engineering (ESF Coordinator: 

DOD/USACE) 

ESF 04

Firefighting (ESF Coordinator: United States

Department of Agriculture [USDA]/United States

Forest and DHS/FEMA United States Fire 

Administration)

ESF 05 Information and Planning (ESF Coordinator: 

DHS/FEMA)

ESF 06

Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary 

Housing and Human Services (ESF Coordinator: 

DHS/FEMA)

ESF 07 Logistics (ESF Coordinator: General Services 

Administration [GSA] and DHS/FEMA)

ESF 08 Public Health and Medical Services (ESF 

Coordinator: HHS) 

ESF 09 Search and Rescue (ESF Coordinator: 

DHS/FEMA)

ESF 10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response (ESF 

Coordinator: EPA) 

ESF 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources (ESF 

Coordinator: USDA) 

ESF 12 Energy (ESF Coordinator: DOE) 

ESF 13 Public Safety and Security (ESF Coordinator: 

DOJ/ATF) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

145 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ESF 14 Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure (ESF 

Coordinator: DHS/CISA)

ESF 15 External Affairs (ESF Coordinator: DHS)

ESFLG Emergency Support Function Leadership Group 

ESGR Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

ESGS Emergency Services Group Supervisor 

ESHCO Environment, Safety and Health Compliance 

Office 

ESI

 Emergency Safety Information 

 Emergency Services Interface 

 Emergency Severity Index 

ESIC Earth Science Information Center

ESIF Emergency Services Interconnect Forum

ESL English as a Second Language

ESM

 Electronic Support Measures

 Emergency Scene Management 

 Enterprise Security Manager

 Enterprise System Management 

ESN Electronic Serial Number

ESO Energy Senior Official

ESP

 Early Site Permit

 Education Standards Panel 

 Electric Service Priority

 Extranet Secure Portal

ESPC Energy Savings Performance Contract

ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute 

ESS

 Electronic Switching System

 Emergency Services Sector

 Environmental Sensor Station

ESS TOOLS Essential Tools 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

146 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ESSA Enhance Shared Situational Awareness 

ESSCC Emergency Services Sector Coordinating 

Council 

ESSN

Emergency Services Staff Network 

(international organization addressing 

emergency call handing) 

ESSP ESF Liaison Specialist (emergency support 

function) 

ESS-SSA Emergency Services Sector-Sector Specific 

Agency

ESSV Emergency Support Service Vehicle

EST

 Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5)

 Emergency Support Team

 Estimate 

ESTA Electronic System for Travel Authorization

ESTD Established 

ESTED Estimated Safe Time Before Evacuation 

Decisions

ESTI Emergency Services Training Institute

ESW Enterprise Shared Workspace 

ET

 Electronic Technician

 Electronic Transmission 

 Emergency Telecommunications 

ETA

 Estimated Time of Arrival 

 Employment and Training Administration 

(United States department of Labor)

ETAG Employee Training Advisory Group

ETAT Emergency Triage, Assessment and Treatment 

ETC Emergency Transportation Center

etc. Et Cetera (means: “and other things", or "and so 

forth”)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

147 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ETD  Estimated Time of Departure

 Explosives Trace Detector

ETE  Estimated Time En Route

 Evacuation Time Estimate

ETEE Education, Training, Exercise and Evaluation 

ETF Executive Task Force 

ETIC Estimated Time in Commission

ETIS Emergency Traffic Information System

ETJ Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction

ETL  Engineering Technical Letter (USACE) 

 Extraction, Transformation and Loading

ETO Exercise and Training Officer

ETOC Emergency Tactical Operations Center

ETP Employment and Transition Plan

ETRMS Emergency Transportation Resource 

Management System

ETS Evacuation Time Study

ETSI European Telecommunications Standards 

Institute 

ETT Eligible Travel Trailer

ETZ Equipment TEMPEST Zone 

EU  European Union

 Explosives Unit 

EUA Emergency Use Authorization (FDA) 

EUCOM European Command (DOD) 

EUL Environmental Unit Leader 

EUROPOL European Police Office 

eV Electron volt (unit of energy) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

148 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EVM Earned Value Management

EVOC  Emergency Vehicle Operation and Control 

 Emergency Vehicle Operations Course 

EVT

 Emergency Vehicle Technician

 Extreme Value Theory (determines the 

statistical probability of extreme events) 

EVVE Electronic Verification of Vital Events 

EW

 Early Warning 

 Emergency Ward 

 Emergency Worker

EWAC Emergency Worker and Assistance Center

EWARN Early Warning 

EWC Emergency Worker Center

EWF Electronic Warfare

EWI Entry Without Inspection

EWMDS Emergency Worker Monitoring and 

Decontamination Station

EWO Emergency War Order

EWP Emergency Watershed Protection

EWRI Environmental and Water Resources Institute

EX/IM Bank Export/Import Bank of the United States

EXAO Extrernal Affairs Officer

EXB Export-Import Bank

EXD Explosives Division (DHS)

EXEC Federal Coordinating Officer Executive 

Specialist

EXORD Execute Order 

EXPLAN Exercise Plan

ESXP External Affairs Specialist
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

149 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

EXSUM Executive Summary 

EXT Extension 

EXTIN Extinguisher

F: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

F1 FEMA Administrator 

F2 Deputy FEMA Administrator 

F&A Facilities and Administrative (expenses) 

FAA  Federal Aviation Administration

 Functional Area Analysis 

FAADS Federal Assistance Award Data System

FAAP Foreign Airport Assessment Program

FAAR Facilitated After Action Report

FAAS FEMA Automated Acquisition System

FAAT

 FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms 

(Book)

 Fully Analytical Aerial Triangulation (use of 

aerial photographs to coordinate ground

positions) 

FAB FEMA Advisory Board

FAC

 Facility 

 Family Assistance Center

 Foreign Air Carrier

 Functional Area Chief 

FACA Federal Advisory Committee Act

FACL Facilities Unit Leader

FACMAN Facilities Management System

FACNET Federal Acquisition Network
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

150 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FACP Fire Alarm Control Panel

FACT Field Assessment and Coordination Team 

FAD Foreign Animal Disease 

FADED GIANT Military Nuclear Reactor Radiological 

Incident/Accident Code Word

FAE  Fire Apparatus Engineer (Driver) 

 Fuel Air Explosives

FAEST Forward Area Emergency Support Trailers

FAI  Fire/Arson Investigation

 Federal Acquisition Institute 

FAIH Federal Assistance to Individuals and 

Households

FAIR

 Fair Access to Insurance Requirements

 Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 

1998

FAITS FEMA Automated Inventory Tracking System

FALA Faller A (NWCG Position Task Books [PTB]) 

FALB Faller B (NWCG PTBs) 

FALC Faller C (NWCG PTBs) 

FAM Federal Air Marshal

FAMA Fire Apparatus Manufactures’ Association

FAMAS Facility Accreditation Management and 

Administration System

FAMIS FEMA Audit Management Information System

FAMS Federal Air Marshal Service 

FAN Family Advisory Network 

FANMAP FEMA Automated Network Management 

Program

FANTA Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

151 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FAO

 Federal Approving Officer/Official 

 Fire Apparatus Operator 

 Foreign Affairs Office 

FAOC FEMA Alternate Operations Center

FAPIIS Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 

Information System 

FAPO Financial Assistance and Oversight (DHS) 

FAPRS Federal Access Program Retrieval System

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

FAR

 Federal Acquisition Regulations

 Federal Aviation Regulations

 Field Alert Report 

 Foundation for Amateur Radio 

FARC Financial Assistance Review Committee 

FARS  Fatality Analysis Reporting System 

 Financial Accounting and Reporting System

FAS

 Federal Acquisition Service (GSA) 

 Fire Alarm System 

 First Aid Squad 

 Freight Assessment System

FASSE Federal Agency Support Service Element

FAST

 Field Assessment Team

 Fire and Aviation Safety Team 

 Future Attribute Screening Technology (DHS)

FAX Facsimile

FBAN Fire Behavior Analyst

FBCI Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

FBCO Faith-Based and Community Organizations

FBFM Flood Boundary and Floodway Map
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

152 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FBI  Federal Bureau of Investigation

 Full Background Investigation 

FBIIC Financial and Banking Information 

Infrastructure Committee

FBINet Federal Bureau of Investigation Network 

FBN Federal Base Network

FBO

 Faith Based Organization(s)

 Fixed Base Operator

 Food Business Operator 

FBR Fast Breeder Reactor

FBS  Fire Boat Small 

 Floodplain Boundary Standard 

FC

 Fire Captain 

 Fire Control

 Fire Corps 

 Flight Crew 

 Functional Categories 

 Fusion Center 

FCA Farm Credit Administration 

FCAP Fusion Center Assessment Program 

FCBA Federal Communications Bar Association

FCC  Federal Communications Commission

 Federal Coordinating Center

FCD Financial Crimes Division

FCDA Federal Civil Defense Agency

FCE Functional Capability Element

FCEN Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 

(Department of Treasury) 

FCI Facility Condition Index

FCIC Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

153 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FCIP  Federal Career Intern Program

 Foreign Counterintelligence Program 

FCIS Federal Crime Insurance System

FCM  Federal Communications Manager

 Foreign Consequence Management 

FCMG  Fire Cache Manager

 Funds Control Manager

FCMSSR Federal Committee for Meteorological Services 

and Supporting Research

FCO Federal Coordinating Officer

F-codes Charge Codes for FEMA Incidents

FCP  Field/Forward Command Post

 Functional Command Post 

FCR File Copy Request

FCRR Fundamentals Course for Radiological 

Response

FCS  Food and Consumer Service

 Farm Credit Service

FCSA Fee-Charge System Administrator

FCT Forward Coordinating Team

FCV Forward Communications Vehicle 

FD

 Federal District 

 Fire Department

 Forest Department 

FDA Food and Drug Administration 

FDC Fire Department Connection

FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface

FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FDID Fire Department Identification Number
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

154 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FDL Forensic Documents Laboratory

FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access 

FDMS Federal Docketing Management System

FDNS Fraud Detection and National Security Unit

FDNY New York City Fire Department 

FDO Flight Deck Officer

FDP Federal Demonstration Project

FDPMU Forward-Deployable Preventive Medical Unit 

FDR Foreign Disaster Relief 

FDRC Obsolete: Federal Disaster Recovery 

Coordinator 

FDRO Federal Disaster Recovery Officer 

FDSOA Fire Department Safety Officers Association

FDSS Federal Drug Seizure System

FDT Floodway Data Table 

FDUL Food Unit Leader

FE  Fire Extinguisher

 Functional Exercise

FEA Federal Enterprise Architecture

FEB  Federal Executive Board

 Federal Executive Branch

FEC

 Facility Emergency Coordinator

 Federal Election Commission

 Federal Electronics Challenge

FECA Federal Employees Compensation Act

FECC Federal Emergency Communications 

Coordinator

FED - TRT Federal Tactical Response Team
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

155 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FEDCIRC Federal Computer Incident Response Center

FEDD Flood Elevation Determination Docket

FEDMER Federal Medical Evidence of Record

FEDSIM Federal Systems Integration and Management 

Center 

FED-STD Federal Standard

FEEA Federal Employee Education and Assistance

Feeding America Nation-wide food banks previously known as 

America's Second Harvest 

FEFFLA Federal Employees Family Friendly Leave Act

FEGLI Federal Employee's Group Life Insurance

FEHB Federal Employees Health Benefits

FEI Federal Executive Institute

FEIMS

 FEMA Enterprise Identity Management 

System 

 Fire and Explosion Investigation 

Management System

FEIN Federal Employer Identification Number (IRS) 

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement

FEKC FEMA Employee Knowledge Center

FELB Felling Boss

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS)

FEMAAR Federal Emergency Management Agency 

Acquisition Regulation

FEMIS Federal Emergency Management Information 

System

FEMO Fire Effects Monitor

FEPA Fair Employment Practices Agency

FERC  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

 FEMA Emergency Response Capability
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

156 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FERN Food Emergency Response Network 

FERO Federal Emergency Response Official 

F/ERO Federal Emergency and Mutual Aid Response 

Official

FERS Federal Employees Retirement System

FES Field Evaluation System 

FESC Federal Emergency Support Coordinator

FESHE Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education

FEST Foreign Emergency Support Team

FETP Field Epidemiology Training Programs 

FEVS Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 

FEWS-NET Famine Early Warning System Network

FF Firefighter

FFALC Federal Fire and Aviation Leadership Council

FFAMIA Federal Financial Assistance Management 

Improvement Act

FFATA Federal Funding Accountability and 

Transparency Act

FFC FEMA Finance Center

FFCD Full, Final and Complete Disclosure

FFDO Federal Flight Deck Officer

FFE Federal Field Exercise

FFFI&PP

Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention 

Program (National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health [NIOSH]) 

FFFP Film-Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (Fire 

Suppression) 

FFI Financial Fraud Institute

FFL Federal Firearms Licensee/License 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

157 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FFMIA Federal Financial Management Improvement 

Act

FFMO Forest Fire Management Officer 

FFMS FEMA Frequency Management System

FFO First Federal Official

FFP Office of Food for Peace

FFR Federal Financial Report 

FFRDC Federally Funded Research and Development 

Center

FFS Federal Financial System

FFSP Firefighting Specialist 

FFSTG Federal Fire Service Task Group

FFT1 Firefighter Type 1

FFT2 Firefighter Type 2

FFUL Firefighting Unit Leader 

FGCC Federal Geodetic Coordinating Committee

FGDC Federal Geographic Data Committee

FGI Foreign Government Information

FH  Field Hospital 

 Fire Hydrant

FHA

 Fair Housing Act 

 Federal Housing Administration

 Fire Hazards Analysis

 Flood Hazard Area

 Foreign Humanitarian Assistance 

FHAR Flood Hazard Analyses Report

FHBM Flood Hazard Boundary Map

FHCS Federal Human Capital Survey

FHD Flood Hazard Determination 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

158 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FHFB Federal Housing Finance Board

FHH Fire Hose House

FHIR Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources 

FHM Flood Hazard Mapping

FHML Federal Hazardous Material Law

FHP Force Health Protection

FHR  Fire Hose Rack

 Fire Hose Reel

FHWA Federal Highway Administration (DOT)

FIA Federal Insurance Administration

FIAB Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board

FICA Federal Insurance Contributions Act

FICC Federal Interagency Coordination Council

FICEMS Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency 

Medical Services

FICO  Flood Insurance Claims Office

 Flood Insurance Claims Officer

FID Foreign Internal Defense 

FIDA FEMA Information Data and Analysis

FIDLER Field Instrument for the Detection of Low 

Energy Radiation

FIFO First-in, first-out 

FIG Field Intelligence Group (FBI)

FIGS Floodplain Management and Insurance Group 

Supervisor

FIMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation 

Administration 

FIMO Federal Incident Management Official

FIMS Facility Information Management System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

159 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FIN Fingerprint Identification Number

FINCEN Financial Center

FinCEN Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (United 

States Treasury Department)

FINS Federal Information Notices

FIO  Federal Information Officer

 Fire Information Officer

FIOC Federal Interagency Operations Center

FIOP Federal Interagency Operational Plan 

FIP Federal Information Processing

FIPNC Flood Insurance Producers National Committee

FIPP Fair Information Practice Principles 

FIPS

 Federal Information Processing Standard

 Freedom of Information Act Information 

Processing System 

FIR 

 Federal Inspection Report

 Final Inspection Report

 Flood Insurance Report

 Obsolete: Field Investigation and Response 

(American Society for the Prevention of 

Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA])

Replaced by: National Field Response (NFR)

FIRB Firing Boss

FIRES Fire Information Retrieval and Evaluation 

System 

FIRESAT Fire-Detection Satellite System

FIRESCOPE Firefighting Resources of California Organized 

for Potential

FIRETIP Firefighting Technology Implementation 

Program 

FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

160 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FIRM-DLG Flood Insurance Rate Map-Digital Line Graph

FIRMPD FEMA Information Resources Management 

Procedural Directive

FIRMR Federal Information Resources Management 

Regulation

FirstNet First Responder Network Authority (Nationwide 

Interoperable Broadband network) 

FIS Flood Insurance Study

FISA Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

FISDAP Field Internship Student Data Acquisition 

Project 

FISH Forensic Information System for Handwriting

FISMA Federal Information Security Management Act 

of 2002

FIST Field Intelligence Support Team

FIT  Failed Income Test

 Financial Information Tool

FITL Floodplain Management and Insurance Task 

Force Leader

FLAR Forward Looking Airborne Radar

FLASH

 Fellow Law Enforcement Agencies Securing 

the Homeland

 Federal Alliance for Safe Homes

FLDPLN Floodplains

FLE Fireline Explosives (Wildland Fire)

FLEA Fireline Explosive Advisor (Wildland Fire)

FLEB Fireline Blaster (Wildland Fire)

FLEC Fireline Explosives Crewmember (Wildland Fire)

FLETA Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation

FLETC Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

161 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FLEX Federal or FEMA Leadership Exercise

FLEX Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant 

Program 

FlHB

Obsolete: Fireline Handbook

Replaced by: Wildland Fire Incident 

Management Field Guide

FLI Fire Load Index 

FLIR Forward Looking Infrared Radar

FLIS FEMA Levee Inventory System 

FLMG Facilities Manager 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

FLRA Federal Labor Relations Authority

FLS Flood Statement

FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act 

FLT Forklift Truck 

FM

 Fatality Management 

 Field Manual 

 Financial Management 

 Frequency Modulation (radio)

FMA

 Family Medical Act 

 Field Mitigation Assistance

 Flood Mitigation Assistance

 Floodplain Management Association

FMAG Fire Management Assistance Grant Program 

FMANA

Obsolete: Fire Marshals Association of North 

America

Replaced by: International Fire Marshals 

Association (IFMA)

FMAP  Fire Management Assistance Program

 Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

162 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FMC

 Federal Management Circular

 Federal Maritime Commission

 Federal Medical Center (United States prison 

hospital) 

 Federal Mobilization Center

 Fully Mission Capable

FMCIMS Flood Map Center Inventory Management 

System

FMCS Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMD Foot and Mouth Disease

FMDC Flood Map Distribution Center

FME Federally Managed Exercise

FMH Federal Meteorological Handbook

FmHA Farmers Home Administration

FMHCSS Federal Manufactured Home Construction and 

Safety Standards

FMHO Federal Hazard Mitigation Officer 

FMIX FEMA Map Information eXchange 

FMJ Full Metal Jacket (type of ammunition) 

FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act

FMO Fire Management Officer

FMP  Field Management Program

 Fire Management Plan 

FMR

 Fair Market Rent

 Fair Market Rental

 Federal Management Regulations 

FMS  Federal Medical Station (HHS) 

 Financial Management System

FMSC Federal Maritime Security Coordinator 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

163 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FMSIS Flood Map Status Information Service

FMSST Federal Medical Station Strike Team (HHS) 

FMT Field Monitoring Team

FMU Fire Management Unit 

FMV Fair Market Value

FMWC Federal Multilingual Website Committee 

FN Foreign National

FNAMS FEMA National Automated Message System

FNAPS FEMA National Paging System

FNARS FEMA National Radio System

FNF Fixed Nuclear Facility

FNS Food and Nutrition Services

FNTS Federal National Teletype System 

FO Facility Owner 

FO Field Office

FOA Funding Opportunity Announcements 

FOB 

 Family-Owned Business 

 Federal Office Building

 Field Operations Bureau 

FOBS Field Observer

FOC 

 FEMA Operations Center

 Forward Operations Center

 Free of Charge

 Full Operating Capability

FOD 

 Field Office Director 

 Field Operations Directorate 

 Foreign Object Damage

 Foreign Object Debris 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

164 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FOD AA Field Operations Directorate, Assistant 

Administrator

FOD OPA FOD Office of Policy Analysis

FOF Field Operating Facility

FOFE First Order Fire Effects (NWCG) (the immediate 

effects from a fire event) 

FOG Field Operating Guide

FOH Federal Occupational Health (HHS)

FOI 

 Freedom of Information 

 Floating Offshore Installation 

 Field Operations Intelligence 

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact

FOP  Fraternal Order of Police

 Fugitive Operations Program (ICE) 

FOPM FEMA Operational Planning Manual 

FOR Field Operating Report

FORPLAN Forest Planning Language and Simulator 

FORSCOM Forces Command United States Army Forces 

Command 

FOS 

 Family of Services

 Federal Operations/Operational Support

 Full Operational Status 

FOSA Federal Operational/Operations Staging Area 

FOSC  Federal On-Scene Commander

 Federal On-Scene Coordinator

FOSS Field Operating Site Setup

FOUO For Official Use Only

FOV Field of View
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

165 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FP

 Fire Protection

 Fire-Plug 

 Force Protection

 Fuel Pump

FP&S Fire Prevention and Safety

FPA

 Obsolete: Federal Preparedness Agency

Replaced by: Federal Emergency 

Management Agency 

 Floodplain Administrator 

FPC

 Federal Power Commission

 Federal Preparedness Circular

 Federal Preparedness Coordinator 

 Flight Paramedic Certified 

 Functional Performance Criteria 

FPCL Floodplain Management Crew Leader 

FPCON Force Protection Condition 

FPCs Federal Preparedness Coordinators 

FPDL Fire Protection Demonstration Lab

FPE Fire Protection Engineering

FPEIS Federal Programmatic Environmental Impact 

Statement

FPEX Floodplain Management Specialist

FPF Federal Policy Fee

FPG Federal Preparedness Guide

FPI  Floodplain Information Report

 Foreign Person of Interest

FPIC Federal Partnership for Interoperable 

Communication (DHS) 

FPM Floodplain Management

FPMR Federal Property Management Regulation

FPMS Floodplain Management Services (USACE) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

166 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FPO  Federal Preservation Officer

 Flood Potential Outlook

FPPA Farmland Protection Policy Act 

FPPS Federal Personnel Payroll System

FPS

 Federal Protective Service (DHS)

 Fire Prevention and Safety 

 Fire Protection System 

FP&S Fire Prevention and Safety Grants 

FPSIS Federal Probation Supervision Information 

System 

FPSP Floodplain Management Specialist 

FPTL Floodplain Management Task Force Leader 

FPU Fire Planning Unit 

FPUL Future Planning Unit Leader 

FQI Federal Quality Institute

FQS  FEMA Qualification System 

 Food Quality and Safety 

FR

 Federal Register

 Field Reference

 Fire Resistant 

 First Responder 

 Follow-on Response 

FRA

 Federal Railroad Administration (DOT) 

 Federal Responsibility Area (land control or 

administered by the United States

Government) 

 Flood Risk Assessment 

FRAC  First Responder Authorization Credential

 Hydraulic Fracturing 

FRAGO Fragmentary Order (United States Military 

abbreviated form of an operation order) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

167 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

F-RAP FEMA Readiness Assessment Program 

FRATS FEMA Recovery Action Tracking System

FRB Federal Reserve Board

FRC

 Family Reception Center 

 Fast Response Cutters

 Federal Records Center

 Federal Regional Center

 Federal Resource Coordinator

 Federal Response Center

FRCA Findings Requiring Corrective Action 

FRCM FEMA Regional Communications Manager

FRCON FEMA Readiness Conditions 

FRD  Flood Risk Database 

 Formerly Restricted Data

FRERP Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan

FRESH Fire, Rescue, Emergency, Safety, and Health

FRG First Responders Group (DHS Science and 

Technology Directorate [DHS S&T]) 

FRID Flood Risk Directory

FRM Flood Risk Map 

FRMAC Federal Radiological Monitoring and 

Assessment Center

FRMAP Federal Radiological Monitoring and 

Assessment Plan

FRMT Field Radiological Monitoring Team

FRN

 Federal Register Notice

 Federal Reserve Note

 FEMA Radio Network

FRO Flood Response Office

FROI, FROII Federal Disaster Recovery Officer Type I, Type II 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

168 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FRP

 Facility Response Plan

 Obsolete: Federal Response Plan

Replaced by: National Response Framework 

(NRF)

FRPCC Federal Radiological Preparedness 

Coordinating Committee 

FRPG Federal Response Planning Guidance

FRPI First Responder Partnership Initiative

FRR Flood Risk Report 

FRRATS

 Federal Response and Recovery Automated 

Tracking System

 FEMA Response and Recovery Applicant 

Tracking System

FRS  Face-Recognition Software 

 Fire and Rescue Service 

FRSA Federal Railroad Safety Act 

FRSD First Responders and Small Departments

FRSGP Obsolete: Freight Rail Security Grant Program

FRSSB Facilities Radiological Safety and Safeguards 

Branch

FRTIB Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

FRZ Flight Restricted Zone

FS

 Feasibility Study

 Fire Station 

 Flight Surgeon 

 Forest Service (USDA) 

FSA

 Farm Service Agency (USDA) 

 Federal Staging Area 

 FEMA/State Agreement

 Fire Suppression Assistance

 Forward Staging Areas

 Fuel Storage Area 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

169 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FSAR Final Safety Analysis Report

FSAG Federal Staging Area Group 

FSB  Forward Staging Base 

 Forward Support Base

FSC

 Federal Support Center

 FEMA Storage Center

 Finance/Administration Section Chief 

FSC1, FSC2, FSC3 Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1,

Type 2 and Type 3 

FSCO Field Security Coordination Officer 

FSD

 Federal Security Director

 Fire System Deficiency

 Forensic Services Division 

FSDO Flight Service District Office

FSE Full-Scale Exercise

FSG Financial Services Group

FSGS Federal Staging Area Group Supervisor 

FSH Forest Service Handbook

FSI Foreign Service Institute (DOS)

FSIE Fire Service Intelligence Enterprise

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service

FSIU Field Support Intelligence Unit

FSK Frequency Shift Keying

FSL Federal, State, Local

FSLC Federal Senior Leadership Council

FSLTT Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial 

FSM Federated States of Micronesia
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

170 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FSN  Federal Stock Number

 FEMA Switched Network

FSO  Field Security Office/Officer 

 Foreign Service Officer (DOS) 

FSR

 Financial Status Report

 First Strike Ration (a compact, eat-on-the 

move ration) 

FSS

 Family Support Services

 Federal Supply Service

 Field Service Section 

FSSA Flight School Security Awareness

FSSC Fleet Surveillance Support Command

FSSCC Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council 

F&STD Fire and Safety Test Detachment

FSTS Federal Secure Telephone System

FSU Former Soviet Union 

FSUL Federal Staging Area Unit Leader 

FSVS FEMA Secure Video System 

ft foot/feet

FT Full-Time

ft/min feet per minute

ft3/min cubic feet per minute

FTA  Federal Transit Administration

 Federal/Tribal Agreement 

FTAA Free Trade Area of the Americas

FTC

 Federal Trade Commission

 Federal Training Coordinator

 FEMA Training Council

 Field Team Coordinator
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

171 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FTCA Federal Tort Claims Act 

FTD Federal Travel Directory

FTE  Full-Time Employees

 Full-Time Equivalent

FTF Feeding Task Force 

FTIP Federal Training Institute Partnership 

FTL Field Team Leader 

FTMG Fleet Manager 

FTO Foreign Terrorist Organizations

FTP File Transfer Protocol

FTS

 Federal Technology Service

 Federal Telecommunications System 

 Forms Tracking System

FTSS Federal Training Support Staff

FTTTF Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force (FBI)

FTX Field Training Exercise

FUM1, FUM2 Fire Use Manager 1, 2

FUNC Functional

FUNCPLAN Functional Plan 

F/V Fishing Vessel

FVA Fundamental Vertical Accuracy 

FW  Fire Weather

 Framework 

FWAN FEMA Wide Area Network

FWBM Fixed Wing Base Manager

FWCA Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

FWD Forward
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

172 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

FWFMP Federal Wildland Fire Management Plan 

FWI Fire Weather Index 

FWIS Forestry Weather Information System 

FWP Federal Women’s Program

FWPCA Federal Water Pollution Control Act

FWPT Fixed Wing Parking Tender

F/WRKGPS For Work Groups

FWS  United States Fish and Wildlife Service

 Flexible Work Schedule 

FX Functional Exercise

FY Fiscal Year (Example: Federal Government’s FY 

is from Oct 1-September 30) 

FYHSP Future Years Homeland Security Program

FZ Flood Zone

FZDC Flood Zone Determination Company

G: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

g Gravity 

G1 Personnel (United States Army Staff positions)

G2 Intelligence, Information, or Security (United 

States Army Staff positions)

G3 Operations (United States Army Staff positions)

G4 Logistics (United States Army Staff positions) 

G5 Planning (United States Army Staff positions)

G6 Communications or Signals to include IT (United 

States Army Staff positions)

G7 Training or Military Education (United States

Army Staff positions)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

173 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

G8

Finance and Contracts or Resource 

Management (United States Army Staff 

positions)

G9 Civil-Military Cooperation, Civil Affairs (United 

States Army Staff positions)

GA

 General Adjuster

 General Administrator 

 General Assembly 

 Geospatial Analyst 

GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

GAAS Generally Accepted Auditing Standards

GAB Governor’s Advisory Board 

GACC Geographic Area Coordination Center

GACG Geographic Area Coordinating Group

GA/FBO General Aviation/Fixed-Base Operations

gal Gallon

GAL Global Access List

GAN Grant Adjustment Notice

GANTSEC Greater Antilles Section (USCG Sector San Juan) 

GAO  General Accounting Office

 Government Accountability Office

GAR Governor’s Authorized Representative

GARF Global Assessment of Relational Functioning 

scale 

GARS Global Area Reference System

GAWR Gross Vehicle Axle Weight Rating 

GB Gigabyte (is either 1,000 or 1,024 Megabytes)

GBL Government/General Bill of Lading

GBPS Gigabytes Per Second
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

174 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GC General Counsel

GCC  Geographic Combatant Commander (DOD) 

 Government Coordinating Council 

GCCS Global Command and Control System (DOD)

GCE Government Cost Estimate

GCF Ground Concentration Factor

GCM Global Climate Model 

GCO Grant Coordinating Officer 

GCOA Gross Consequence of Attack

GCOS Global Climate Observing System

GCR Gulf Coast Region

GCS  Ground Control Station

 Geographic Coordinate System 

GD&A Grant Development and Administration

GDIN Global Disaster Information Network 

GDM Geospatial Data Model

GDNP Gross Domestic National Product

GDP Gross Domestic Product 

GDPC Global Disaster Preparedness Center 

GDS Geographic Display System

GDSS Global Decision Support System

GDT Ground Data Terminal

GE General Emergency

Ge(Li) Lithium Drifted Germanium

GEA Geospatial Enterprise Architecture

GEIA Government Electronic and Information 

Technology Association
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

175 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GEMINI Global Emergency Management Information 

Network Initiative

GEMS

 Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical 

Services

 Global Emergency Management System

GEN Generator 

GEOCC Government Emergency Operations 

Coordination Center

GeoCONOPS Geospatial Concept of Operations 

GEODSS

Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space 

Surveillance (United States Space Force) 

(tracking deep-space objects) 

GEOINT Geospatial Intelligence 

GeoMAC Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination

GeoTIFF Georeferenced Tagged Image File Format

GER Global Emergency Response

GES Global Enrollment System

GETA Government Emerging Technology Alliance

GETS Government Emergency Telecommunications 

System/Service

GFE Government-Furnished Equipment

GFI Government-Furnished Information

GFIP Group Flood Insurance Policy

GFIRST Government Forum of Incident Response and 

Security Teams

GFM  Generic Financial Module 

 Government-Furnished Material

GFMC Global Fire Monitoring Center 

GGI Global Geospatial Intelligence

GGI&S Global Geospatial Information and Services
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

176 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GHAD Geologic Hazard Abatement District

GHG Greenhouse Gas 

GHSAC Governors Homeland Security Advisory Council 

(National Governors Association) 

GHT Garden Hose Thread 

GI  Geographic Information

 Geospatial Information 

GICNT Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism 

(DOS) 

GIF  Graphical Image Format

 Graphics Interchange Format

GIG Global Information Grid

GII Geospatial Information Infrastructure 

GIL  Global Information Infrastructure 

 Grant-In-Lieu

GILS Government Information Locator Service

GIMG Geospatial Information System Manager

GIRA Geospatial Interoperability Reference 

Architecture 

GIS 

 Geographic / Geographical Information 

System

 Geospatial Information System

GISP Geospatial Information System Specialist 

GISS GIS Specialist (Geospatial Information System)

GISU Geospatial Information System Unit 

GISWG Global Infrastructure and Standards Working 

Group

GIU Geospatial Intelligence Unit 

GIUL Geospatial Information System Unit Leader 

GIWG Global Intelligence Working Group 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

177 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GIWW Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

GJXDM Global Justice XML Data Model 

GLANSER Geospatial Location Accountability and 

Navigation System for Emergency Responders 

GLD General Law Division 

GLPAC Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee

GLS Global Location System 

GLUP General Land Use Plan 

GLWRM Great Lakes Wave Run-up Model

GM Guidance Memorandum

G-M Geiger-Mueller (Radiation Detector) 

GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

GMF Government Master File

GML Geographic Markup Language

GMO  Geospatial Management Office

 Genetically Modified Organism

GMR Graduated Mobilization Response

GMS  Grant Management Specialists

 Grants Management System

GMT Greenwich Mean Time (AKA “Zulu Time”)

GMTA Grants Management Technical Assistance 

Program 

GNCSODR Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for 

Disaster Reduction 

GNDA Global Nuclear Detection Architecture

GNED Global Nuclear Event Detector 

GNIS Geographic Names Information System 

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

178 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GO

General Orders 

Grants Operations 

GO2D Global Orchestrated Disaster Defense (Norway) 

GOALS Government Online Accounting Link System

GOC  Global Operations Center 

 Ground Operations Coordinator 

GOES

 Geostationary Operational Environmental 

Satellite

 Global Online Enrollment System (CBP) 

GOGO Government-Owned, Government-Operated

Golf Phonetic Alphabet for G 

GOM Gulf of Mexico

GOMEX Gulf of Mexico

GOS Global Observing System (European) 

GOSC Global Operations Security Center

GOSIP Government Open Systems Interconnection 

Profile

GOTS Government Off-The-Shelf

GOV Government Owned Vehicle

GP  General Public 

 Grid Position 

GPC Government Purchase Card 

GPCI Geographical Physician Cost Index 

GPD Grant Programs Directorate 

GPEA Government Paperwork Elimination Act

GPGS Grants and Planning Group Supervisor 

GPH Gallons Per Hour 

GPL  General Population Level

 General Population Limit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

179 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GPLD Government Property Lost or Damaged

GPM Gallons Per Minute 

GPMRC Global Patient Movement Requirements Center 

GPO  Government Printing Office

 Group Policy Object 

GPR/U Geospatial Production Request/Unit 

GPRA Government Performance and Results Act 

GPS Global Positioning System

GPTL Grants and Planning Task Force Leader

GR

 Gamma Ray or Gamma Radiation 

 Grade 

 Group 

gr Grain (unit of weight equal to 64.79891 

milligrams)

GRASS Geographic Resources Analysis and Support 

System

GRCL Grants Crew Leader 

GREX Grants Specialist

GRM Graduated-Response Matrix 

GRP Grant Reporting Portal

GRPS Group Supervisor

GRRT Global Rapid Response Team (CDC) 

GRS Geodetic Reference System

GRSP Grants Specialist 

GRT Grants Reporting Tool 

GRTL Grants Task Force Leader 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

180 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GS

 General Schedule

 General Surveillance

 Geological Survey

 Geo-Stationary

G&S Guidelines and Specifications 

GSA United States General Services Administration

GSAAR General Services Administration Acquisition 

Regulation

GSACR GSA Communications Representative

GSB GIS Solutions Branch

GSCA Global Space Coordinating Authority

GSE Government-Sponsored Enterprise

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications 

GSS General Support Systems 

GST Ground Support Team

GSTN General Switched Telephone Network 

GSUL Ground Support Unit Leader

GSW Gunshot Wound 

G&T Obsolete: Office of Grants and Training

GTA

 Government Travel Account

 Government Travel Authorization

 Graphic Training Aids 

GTC Government Travel Card

GTG Global Information Grid (GIG) Technical 

Guidance 

GTGS Geospatial and Technical Group Supervisor 

GTM Government Technical Monitor

GTR  Government Technical Representative

 Government Transportation Request
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

181 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

GTS

 Global Telecommunications System

 Gum Thickened Sulphate (NWCG: a dry 

chemical product to form a fire-retardant 

slurry) 

GUHS Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil 

Defense

GUI  Geographical User Interface

 Graphical User Interface

GUIRR Government-University-Industry Research 

Roundtable

GVO

Obsolete: Green Vinyl Overboot

Replaced by: Multipurpose Rain/Snow/CB 

Overboot (MULO) 

GVV Gross Vehicle Weight 

GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 

GWA Government Wide Accounting

GWAC Government-Wide Acquisition Contract

GWh Gigawatt-hours 

GWP Global Warming Potential 

Gy 1 Gray (=100 rad) 

GZ Ground Zero

H: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

H2O Water 

H2S Hydrogen Sulfide 

HA

 Housing Assistance

 Hazard Analysis 

 Humanitarian Assistance 

HAA Humanitarian Assistance Advisor (USAID) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

182 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HAB Hostile Action Based

HACC Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center 

HACL HM (Hazard Mitigation) 406 Support Crew 

Leader 

HA/DR Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief 

HAEX HM (Hazard Mitigation) 406 Specialist Expert 

HAI

Healthcare-Associated Infections 

Helicopter Association International 

HAG Highest Adjacent Ground/Grade

HALE High Altitude Long Endurance

HALO High Altitude Low Opening 

HAM Hardware Asset Management 

HAMMER

 Hazardous Agent Mitigation and Medical 

Emergency Response

 Hazardous Materials Management and 

Emergency Response

HAN Health Alert Network (CDC)

HAP  Hazard Abatement Plan

 Humanitarian Assistance Program 

HARB Historical and Architectural Review Board 

HARN High Accuracy Reference Network

HASP Health and Safety Plan

HAST  Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (GMT-10)

 Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team

HAT Housing Assessment Tool 

HAvBED Hospital Available Beds for Emergencies and 

Disasters (HHS) 

HAV Hepatitis A Virus 

HAVE Hospital Availability Exchange (EDXL) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

183 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HAWAS Hawaiian Warning System

HAZCAT Hazard Categorizing

HAZCOM Hazard Communication

HAZMAT Hazardous Material(s)

HAZMIN Hazard Minimization

HAZMIT Hazard Mitigation

HAZSUB Hazardous Substances

Hazus

Hazards United States (models for estimating 

potential losses from earthquakes, floods and 

hurricanes)

Hazus-MH Hazus Multi-Hazard 

HAZWOPER Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency 

Response

HB Health Benefit

HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities

HBD1, HBD2 HM Branch Director 1, 2 

HBV Hepatitis B Virus 

HBX High-Blast Explosive

HC Human Capital

HCA

 High Consequence Area

 Humanitarian and Civil Assistance 

 Health Care Agency 

HCF Height Correction Factor

HCFA Health Care Financing Administration

HCFSA Health Care Flexible Spending Account

HCI Human Computer Interface

HCIB Human Capital Investment Branch

HCN Host-Country National 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

184 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HCO

 Healthcare Organization 

 Helicopter Coordinator 

 Human Capital Office

HCOP Human Capital Operational Plan

H-CORE HHS Coordination Operations and Response 

Element

HCP

 Hazardous Critical Procedures 

 Health Care Professional

 Hazardous Critical Procedures 

HCV Hepatitis C Virus 

HCTS Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security

HCWN Helicopter Manager 

HD  Homeland Defense 

 Highway Department

Hdbks Handbooks

HDD Heating Degree Days

HDER Homeland Defense Equipment Reuse

HDP Hurricane Destruction Potential

HDR Humanitarian Daily Rations 

HDTC Homeland Defense Technology Center

HE High Explosive

HEAR Hospital Emergency Administrative Radio

HEB1, HEB2 Helibase Manager 1, 2 (NWCG)

HEC Hydrologic Engineering Center

HECM Helicopter Crewmember

HEICS Hospital Emergency Incident Command System

HELB Helicopter Boss

Helitack Helicopter-Delivered Fire Resources 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

185 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HELM Helicopter Manager

HELO Helicopter 

HELP

 Health Emergencies in Large Populations

 Heat Escape Lessening Position 

 IT Service Specialist 

 Help Desk Specialist 

HEMP High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

HEOC Hospital Emergency Operations Center

HEPA High Efficiency Particulate Air (as in filters)

HepA Hepatitis A Vaccine 

HepB Hepatitis B Vaccine 

HepC Hepatitis C Vaccine 

HERN Hospital Emergency Radio Network

HERO

 Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to 

Ordnance

 Helibase Radio Operator 

HERS Helicopter Rappel Spotter

HERT Hospital Emergency Response Team

HES Hurricane Evacuation Study

HESM Helispot Manager

HET  Headquarters Emergency Transportation

 Heavy Equipment Transporter 

HETA Obsolete: Homeland Environment and Threat 

Analysis Division

HEU Highly Enriched Uranium

HEW

Obsolete: United States Department of Health, 

Education and Welfare 

Replaced by: Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS)

HEWSweb Humanitarian Early Warning Service (Web site) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

186 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HF  High Frequency

 Hydrogen Fluoride

HF/SSB High Frequency/Single Side Band

HFA Hyogo Framework for Action 

HFC Hydrofluorocarbon 

HFD Human Factors Division (DHS S&T)

HFIAA Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 

2014 

HFSC Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

HGCL HPA Grants Support Crew Leader 

HgI2 Mercuric Iodide

H&H Hydrologic and Hydraulic (Analyses)

HHA High Hazard Area

HHC  Headquarters and Headquarters Company

 Household Composition 

HHD Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment

HHMD Handheld Metal Detector

HHS United States Department of Health and 

Human Services 

HHS-SERT Obsolete: Health and Human Services 

Secretary’s Emergency Response Teams

HHW Household Hazardous Wastes

HIC

 Home Improvement Center

 Home Improvement Contractor

 Humanitarian Information Center 

 Hydrologist-in-Charge

HICS Hospital Incident Command System 

HIDTA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

HIGE Hovering in Ground Effect 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

187 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HILF High-Impact, Low Frequency 

HIN Hull Identification Number 

HIP Housing Improvement Program

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 

Act

HIPDB Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank

HIPS Homeland Innovative Prototypical Solutions

HIRA Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

HIS

 Health Information System 

 Homeland Security Investigator 

 Hospital Information System 

 Housing Inspection Services Unit 

HISP Insurance Specialist 

HIT Health Information Technology 

HITRON Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron

HITS High Impact Technology Solutions

HITSP Health Information Technology Standards Panel 

HIU Humanitarian Information Unit 

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus (see AIDS) 

HL  Help Line

 Hotline

HL7 Health Level Seven International 

HLCC High Level Consultative Commission on 

Telecommunications (United States-Mexico) 

HLCO Helicopter Coordinator

HLD Homeland Defense

HLDBU Homeland Defense Budget Unit

HLS  Homeland Security

 Hurricane Local Statement
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

188 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HLS-CAM Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment 

Model

HLSEA Homeland Security Enterprise Architecture

HLT Hurricane Liaison Team

HLTA High-Level Tool Architecture 

HLVA High-Level Version Architecture

HLW High-Level Waste

HM  Hazard Mitigation

 Hazardous Materials

HMA Hazardous Materials Accident

HMAC Hazardous Materials Advisory Council

HMC Hazard Mitigation Coordinator

HME  Hazardous Materials Endorsement

 Health, Medical and Environmental

HMEP Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness

HMER Hazardous Material Emergency Response

HMG Hazard Mitigation Grant

HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 

HMGS Hazard Mitigation Group Supervisor 

HMIS Hazardous Materials Information System 

HMIX Hazardous Materials Information Exchange 

HMMC Hazard Mitigation Management Coordinator 

HMMG Hazard Mitigation Management Coordinator 

Program Support Manager 

HMMWV Highly Mobile Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle 

HMO Hazard Mitigation Officer 

HMP Hazard Mitigation Proposal 

H/M RCPT Hotel and Motel Receipt 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

189 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HMRT Hazardous Materials Response Team

HMRU Hazardous Materials Response Unit (FBI)

HMS  Hazard Mapping System (NOAA) 

 His or Her Majesty’s Ship 

HMST Hazard Mitigation Survey Team

HMTA Hazardous Materials Transportation Act

HMTAP

 Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Plan

 Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance 

Program

HMTUSA Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform 

Safety Act

HNAT Human Needs Assessment Team

HNT Hostage Negotiation Team

HOB Height of Burst (nuclear detonation)

HOC Humanitarian Operations Center 

HOH Head Of Household

HoM

Head of Mission (the senior diplomatic 

representation, such as an ambassador, high 

commissioner, nuncio, chargé d'affaires, etc.) 

HOO Headquarters Operations Officer (NRC)

HOPWA Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

HOSP Hospital 

Hotel Phonetic Alphabet for H 

HOTMAC High Order Turbulence Model for Atmospheric 

Circulation

HP

 Health Physicist

 Highway Patrol 

 Historic Preservation

 Hurricane Program 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

190 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HPA  Hazard Prediction and Assessment 

 Hazard and Performance Analysis 

HPAC Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability

HPAI Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 

HPC  High Probability of Completion

 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

HPCC High-performance computing and 

communications

HPCL Hazard and Performance Analysis Crew Leader

HPEX Hazard and Performance Analysis Specialist 

Expert 

HPF High Pressure Fog or Fogging 

HPGS Hazards and Performance Analysis Group 

Supervisor 

HPP Hospital Preparedness Program (HHS) 

HPPM Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine 

(United States Army) 

HPR

 Hand Portable Radio 

 Health Planning Region(s) 

 High Priority Request 

HPRDS Human Portable Radiation Detection System 

HPRP Home Protection Roofing Program

HPSAs Health Professional Shortage Areas 

HPSF High Point Special Facility 

HPSI High Pressure Safety Injection

HPSP Hazard and Performance Analysis Specialist 

HPT Health Physics Technician 

HPTL Hazard and Performance Analysis Task Force 

Leader 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

191 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HPXe High-Pressure Xenon (deployable radiation 

detectors)

HQ Headquarters

HQAMC Headquarters Air Mobility Command

HQDA Headquarters, Department of the Army

HQUSACE Headquarters, United States Army Corps of 

Engineers

HR

 Home Repair 

 United States House of Representatives 

 Human Remains 

 Human Resources (Department of)

hr Hour

HRAP Helicopter Rappeller

HRCQ Highway Route Controlled Quantity 

HRD

 Heat-Related Deaths 

 Human Remains Detection 

 Human Resources Division

HRDI High Resolution Doppler Imager

HRFs Homeland Response Forces (National Guard) 

HRLD Human Rights Law Division

HRMG Human Resources Manager 

HRMS Human Resources Management System

HRO  Human Resource Office 

 Humanitarian Relief Operations 

HRPT High Resolution Picture Transmission 

HRS Hours

HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration 

(HHS)

HRSP Human Resources Specialist
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

192 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HRT  Hostage Rescue Team

 Hydraulic Rescue Tool

HRT Health Response Team 

HRUL Human Resources Unit Leader 

HRV Human Rights Violator/Violation

HS  Homeland Security

 Human Services

HSA

 Homeland Security Advisor(s)

 Homeland Security Act (2002 established 

DHS) 

HSAC

 Homeland Security Advisory Committees 

(DHS)

 Homeland Security Advisory Council

HSAI Homeland Security Acquisition Institute 

HSAM Homeland Security Acquisition Manual 

HSAP Homeland Security Assistance Program

HSAR Homeland Security Acquisition Regulations 

HSARPA Homeland Security Advanced Research Project 

Agency

HSAS Homeland Security Advisory System

HSAT Homeland Security Action Team

HSC

 Healthcare Supply Chain 

 Homeland Security Center

 Homeland Security Council

HSCG Homeland Security Coordination Group

HSD Human Services Department

HSDF Homeland Security Dialogue Forum

HSDLA High Speed Down Link Architecture 

HSDN  High Seas Drift Nets

 Homeland Secure Data Network
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

193 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HSE Homeland Security Enterprise 

HSEC SINs Homeland Security Standing Information Needs 

HSEEP Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation 

Program

HSEES Hazardous Substances Emergency Event 

Surveillance (Program)

HSELP Homeland Security Executive Leadership 

Program

HSEMA Homeland Security and Emergency 

Management Agency

HSGP Homeland Security Grant Program 

HSGS Human Services Group Supervisor 

HSI Homeland Security Institute 

HSIA Homeland Security Industry Alliance

HSIN Homeland Security Information Network 

HSIPP Homeland Security Integrated Planning Process

HSIR Homeland Security Intelligence Report

HSL Health and Safety Laboratory 

HSLA Homeland Security Leadership Alliance 

HSLD Historic Shoreline Location Database 

HSLRB Homeland Security Labor Board 

HSNTP Homeland Security National Training Program 

HSO Human Services Officer

HSOC Obsolete: Homeland Security Operations Center

Replaced by: National Operations Center (NOC)

HSOMB Homeland Security Operations Morning Brief

HSPCD Historic Shoreline Positional Change Database

HSPD Homeland Security Presidential Directive

HSPI Homeland Security Policy Institute
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

194 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HSPO Human Subjects Protection Official (DHS)

HSPTAP Homeland Security Preparedness Technical 

Assistance Program

HSS

 Department of Health and Human Services

 United States Department of Health and 

Social Services 

 Health Service Support

HSS RSF Health and Social Services Recovery Support 

Function 

HSSP  Historic Preservation Specialist (EHP) 

 Homeland Security Standards Panel 

HSSTAC Homeland Security Science and Technology 

Advisory Committee

HSSX Human Services Specialist Expert 

HSTA Homeland Security Threat Assessment 

HSTF Homeland Security Task Force

HSTL Human Services Task Force Leader 

HSTS Homeland Security Training System

HSUS The Humane Society of the United States

HTCI High-Tech Crime Investigation

HTMG Helitorch Manager (NWCG) 

HTML HyperText Markup Language

HTMM Helitorch Mixmaster (NWCG) 

HTPT Helitorch Parking Tender (NWCG) 

HTR Heavy and Tactical Rescue 

HTRT Hiring and Transition Response Team

HTS High-Temperature Superconductor

HTUA High-Threat Urban Area 

HTV Hybrid Targeted Violence 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

195 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HUB Historically Underutilized Business 

HUBZone Historically Under-Utilized Business Zone

HUC Hydrologic Unit Code 

HUCL Housing Crew Leader

HUD United States Department of Housing and 

Urban Development 

HUEX Housing Specialist Expert 

HUG HAZUS User Group 

HUGS Individual and Households Program Group 

Supervisor 

HUMINT Human Intelligence

HUMRO Humanitarian Relief Operations (see HRO) 

HURCON Hurricane Condition 

HUREVAC Hurricane Evacuation 

HURREVAC Hurricane Evacuation 

HUTL Individual and Households Program Task Force 

Leader 

HV/HR High-Value/High-Risk

HVA Hazard Vulnerability Analysis

HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

HVE Homegrown Violent Extremist 

HVT High-Value Target

HV-X platform HURREVAC-eXtended (a DHS hurricane tracking 

and decision support platform) 

HWAM Hardware Asset Management 

HWL High Water Line

HWM High Water Mark

HWP Highway Watch Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

196 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

HWR Heavy Water Reactor

Hz Hertz (cycle per second)

I: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

I Individual/Family

I2F Information Sharing Environment Information 

Interoperability Framework 

IA 

 In and Around

 Individual Assistance 

 Information Analysis

 Information Assurance

 Intelligence and Analysis

 Interagency

 International Affairs

I&A DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis

IAA  Incident Awareness and Assessment 

 Interagency Agreement

IAAE International Association of Airport Executives

IAAI International Association of Arson Investigators

IAASP International Association of Airport and Seaport 

Police

IAB  Interagency Board

 Incident Action Briefing 

IABPFF International Association of Black Professional 

Fire Fighters

IAC

 Incident Action Council

 Information Analysis Center (DOD)

 International Aviation Club

 Obsolete: Incident Advisory Council
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

197 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IACET International Accreditors for Continuing 

Education and Training

IACG Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide

IACNDR Inter-American Committee for Natural Disaster 

Reduction

IACP International Association of Chiefs of Police

IACUC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

IAD Information and Application Delivery

IADP Initial Attack Dispatcher

IAE Integrated Acquisition Environment

IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

IAEGC Interagency Electronic Grants Committee 

(Federal)

IAEGWG Interagency Electronic Grants Working Group

IAEM International Association of Emergency 

Managers

IAEMSC International Association of EMS Chiefs 

IAFC International Association of Fire Chiefs

IAFF International Association of Fire Fighters

IAFIS Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification 

System

IAFPA International Aviation Fire Protection 

Association

IAG Interagency Advisory Group

IAGS IA Group Supervisor 

IAHFF International Association of Hispanic 

Firefighters

IAI International Association for Identification

IAIC Initial Attack Incident Commander 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

198 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IAIP Information Analysis and Infrastructure 

Protection 

IALEIA International Association of Law Enforcement 

Intelligence Analysts

IAM

 Identity and Access Management

 Incident Activity Manager

 Integrated Assessment Model 

IAMI International Association of Marine 

Investigators 

IAN Incident Area Network 

IANA Intermodal Association of North America

IAO  Individual Assistance Officer

 DHS S&T Interagency Office 

IAP

 Immunization Action Plan 

 Integrated Action Plan

 Incident Action Plan

IAPH International Association of Ports and Harbors

IAPP International Association of Privacy 

Professionals

IAQ Indoor Air Quality

IARD Immediate Action Rapid Deployment 

IARLJ International Association of Refugee Law 

Judges 

IARPA Intelligence Advanced Research Projects 

Agency 

IARR Interagency Resource Representative

IAS  Industry Sector Analysis 

 International Assistance System

IAS CONOPS International Assistance System Concept of 

Operations 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

199 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IASC

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (interagency 

forum of UN and non-UN humanitarian 

partners) 

IASC-WG Inter-Agency Standing Committee Working 

Group (U.N) 

IASE Information Assurance Support Environment

IASIU International Association of Special 

Investigation Units

IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee (U.N.)

IASP  Individual Assistance Program Specialist 

 Information Analysis Specialist 

IAT  Incident Assessment Team

 International Assistance Tracker 

IATA International Air Transport Association

IA-TAC Individual Assistance-Technical Assistance 

Contractor 

IATBOG Interagency Air Tankers Base Operations Guide

IAU Information Analysis Unit 

IAUL Information Analysis Unit Leader 

IAVA Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert

IAVM International Association of Venue Managers 

IAW In accordance with

IAWF International Association of Wildland Fire

IBA Incident Business Advisor

IBA1, IBA2, IBA3 Incident Business Advisor Type 1, Type 2, Type 

3 

IBAD Interim Biological Agent Detector

IBC  International Broadcast Center

 International Building Code
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

200 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IBD  Improvised Biological Device

 Infrastructure Branch Director

IBD1, IBD2 Individual Assistance Branch Director Type 1, 

Type 2 

IBDS Integrated Biological Detection System

IBET Integrated Border Enforcement Team

IBHS Institute for Business and Home Safety

IBIS  Interagency Border Inspection Services

 Interagency Border Inspection System

IBPAP International Business Practices Advisory Panel

IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and 

Development (World Bank) 

IBS Integrated Baseline System 

IBSGP Intercity Bus Security Grant Program

IBT International Brotherhood of Teamsters

IBWA International Bottled Water Association

IBWSS International Boating and Water Safety Summit 

IC 

 Incident Command/Commander

 Infection Control 

 Information Collection

 Intelligence Community

 Incident CORE (Cadre of On-Call Response 

/Recovery Employees FEMA) 

IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Center (FBI)

IC&V Intelligent Collaboration and Visualization

ICAF

Obsolete: Industrial College of the Armed 

Forces

Replaced by: The Eisenhower School of 

National Security and Resources Strategy

ICAM Identity, Credential and Access Management 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

201 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and 

Numbers 

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization

ICAP Incident Communications Action Plan

ICASS International Cooperative Administrative 

Support Services (USG) 

ICAV Infrastructure Critical Asset Viewer

ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

ICBO International Conference of Building Officials 

ICC

 Incident Command Center

 Incident Communication Center 

 Information Control Cell

 Intelligence Control Center

 Interagency Coordinating/Coordination 

Council 

ICCB Intergovernmental Consultation and 

Coordination Board

ICCOH Interagency Coordinating Committee on 

Hurricanes

ICCT Incident Community Coordination Team

ICD

 Improvised Chemical Device

 Infrastructure Coordination Division

 Institute of Chemical Defense

 Interagency Coordination Division 

ICD-10

International Statistical Classification of 

Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth 

Revision (WHO) 

ICD-10-CM International Classification of Diseases, Tenth 

Revision, Clinical Modification (CDC)

ICDO International Civil Defence Organization (an 

inter-governmental organization) 

ICDR Interagency Committee on Disability Research
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

202 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ICE

 United States Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement (DHS)

 In Case of Emergency 

 Interoperable Communications Equipment

ICEA Insulated Cable Engineers Association 

ICEP Incident Communications Emergency Plan

ICEPP Incident Communications Emergency Policy and 

Procedures 

ICER Incident Communications Emergency Reference 

ICF

 Incident Command Facility

 Industrial/Commercial Fire 

 International Classification of Functioning 

and Disability (World Health Organization) 

ICG Interagency Coordination Group 

ICGP Interoperable Communications Grant Program 

ICHRO Incident Command for High-Rise Operations

ICIMPP Integrated Civilian Industrial Mobilization 

Planning Process

ICISF International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

ICITAP International Criminal Investigative Training 

Assistance Program

ICLA Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance 

ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability 

ICLN Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks

ICMA International City/County Management 

Association

ICMC International Catholic Migration Commission 

(NGO) 

ICMG Intergovernmental/Congressional Affairs 

Manager

ICML Intelligence Community Markup Language
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

203 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ICMOP Integrated CONUS Medical Operations Plan

ICMSSR

Interdepartmental Committee for 

Meteorological Services and Supporting 

Research

ICO Infection Control Officer 

ICODS Interagency Committee on Dam Safety 

ICP

 Incident Command Post

 Infection Control Plan 

 Information Collection Plan

ICPACC Incident Communications Public Affairs 

Coordination Committee

ICPAE Interagency Committee on Public Affairs in 

Emergencies

ICPD Individual and Community Preparedness 

Division 

ICPO International Criminal Police Organization (see 

INTERPOL)

ICPO-INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization – 

International Police 

ICPS Integrated Card Production System

ICR Information Collection Request

ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross (a 

hybrid NGO- Intergovernmental organization)

ICRI Incident Commander Radio Interface

ICRP International Commission on Radiological 

Protection

ICS  Incident Command System

 Initial Contingency Staff

ICSA Incident Command System Advisor

ICSC International Cargo Security Council

ICSCC Intelligence Community Security Coordination 

Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

204 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ICS-CERT Industrial Control Systems-Cyber Emergency 

Response Team (DHS) 

ICSCI Incident Command for Structural Collapse 

Incidents

ICSJWG Industrial Control Systems Joint Working Group 

ICSP

 Information Collection Specialist 

 Intergovernmental/Congressional Affairs 

Specialist

ICSSC Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in 

Construction

ICT

 Incident Commander Type (type 1-5)

 Incident Command Team

 Information and Communications 

Technology 

ICTAP Interoperable Communications Technical 

Assistance Program

ICTOA International Counter-Terrorism Officers 

Association

ICU

 Incident Crisis Unit

 Information Coordination Unit

 Intensive Care Unit

IC/UA Incident Commander/Unified Command

ICVA International Council of Voluntary Agencies 

ICWW Intracoastal Waterway

ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management 

ID 

 Identification/Identity/Identifier (credentials) 

 Infectious Disease

 Intelligence Department 

 Interim Directive 

 International Dateline 

IDA 

 European Commission Interchange of Data 

(Between) Administrations 

 International Disability Alliance 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

205 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IDC Internally Displaced Persons Camps 

IDCL Individual Assistance Preliminary Damage 

Assessments Crew Leader 

IDCT International Donation Coordination Team 

IDE  Initial Damage Estimate

 Intrusion Detection Equipment

IDEC International Drug Enforcement Conference

IDENT Automated Biometric Identification System 

(DHS) See ABIS 

IDEX

 Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary 

Damage Assessments (PDA) Specialist 

Expert 

 Image Data Exploitation (System)

IDF Inside Diameter of the Female Pipe Threads 

IDGA Institute for Defense and Government 

Advancement

IDHS Indiana Department of Homeland Security

IDIQ Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (type of 

contract)

IDIRA 

Interoperability of Data and Procedures in 

Large-Scale Multinational Disaster Response 

Actions 

IDLH Immediate Danger to Life and/or Health

IDP 

 Imagery-Derived Product

 Individual Development Plan 

 Internally Displaced Person 

IDPP Infectious Disease Prevention Program 

IDR Institute for Disaster Research

IDS 

 Informal Dispute Settlement

 Information Display System

 International Distress Signal

 Intrusion Detection System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

206 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IDV Identification Verification 

IDWCS Integrated Digital Wireless Communications 

System 

ID-WSF Identity Web Services Framework

IE 

 Initial Elevation (Line)

 Intelligence Enterprise 

 Information Enterprise/Exchange 

IEA  Immigration Enforcement Agent

 International Energy Agency

IEBC International Existing Building Code 

IECGP Interoperable Emergency Communications 

Grant Program

IED

 Incendiary Explosive Device

 Improvised Explosive Device

 In-line Explosive Detection

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

IEI

Iodine Exposure Intensity (radioactive exposure 

of Iodine 131 after a nuclear blast related to 

the thyroid gland)

IEM

 Information Exchange Model 

 Integrated Emergency Management (FEMAEMI) 

IEMC Integrated Emergency Management Course

IEMG International Emergency Management Group

IEMIS Integrated Emergency Management Information 

System

IEMS Integrated Emergency Management System

IEP

 Incident Emergency Plan 

 Ingestion Exposure Pathway

 Initial Enrollment Period 

IEPD Information Exchange Package Documentation
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

207 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IEPDLC Information Exchange Package Documentation 

Life Cycle

IES Industry Executive Subcommittee

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force

IETM Interactive Electronic Technical Manual

IEVS Income Eligibility Verification System

IF Inland Fetch

IFAK Improved First Aid Kit (DOD)

IFALPA International Federation of Airline Pilots 

Association

IFAST International Forum on AMPS Standards 

Technology

IFB Invitation for Bid

IFC Intelligence Fusion Cell

IFE  In-flight Emergency 

 Infant Feeding in Emergencies 

IFERWG

 Industrial Fire and Emergency Response 

Working Group

 International Fire & and Emergency 

Response Working Group

IFF Identify or Identification Friend or Foe 

IFG Individual and Family Grant 

IFGP Individual and Family Grant Program 

IFLOWS Integrated Flood Observing and Warning 

System

IFMA International Fire Marshals Association

IFMIS Integrated Financial Management Information 

System

IFPL Industrial Fire Precaution Level
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

208 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IFR  Interim Final Rule

 Item for Review

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red 

Crescent Societies 

IFREACT Improved First Responder Ensembles Against 

CBRN Terrorism 

IFSAC International Fire Service Accreditation 

Congress

IFSAR Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar

IFSTA International Fire Service Training Association

IG  Inspector General

 Instructor Guide

IGB International Governance Board 

IGC International Grains Council 

IGD Infrastructure and Geophysical Division (S&T)

IGE Independent Government Estimate

IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

IGO Intergovernmental Organization 

IGP Office of Intergovernmental Programs (NPPD) 

IGPT Interagency Geospatial Preparedness Team

IGRP Interior Gateway Routing Protocol

IGSA Inter-Governmental Service Agreement

IGSP Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist 

IH  Industrial Hygienist

 Interstate Highway

IHC

 Interagency Hotshot Crew (wildland fire 

suppression)

 International Hurricane Center

IHCL Insurance Hotline Crew Leader 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

209 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IHD Intense Hurricane Day

IHE Insensitive High Explosive

IHL International Humanitarian Law 

IHMT Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team

IHO Industrial Hygiene Officer

IHOG Interagency Helicopter Operation Guide

IHP Individual and Households Program

IHRs International Health Regulations 

IHS

 Indian Health Service (HHS)

 Industrial Hygiene Specialist 

 International Health Specialist (United 

States Air Force) 

I/I Intelligence/Investigations 

IIBMH Interagency Incident Business Management 

Handbook

IIC  Interagency Intelligence Cell

 Investigator in Charge

IICRC Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration 

Certification

IICT Interagency Intelligence Committee on 

Terrorism

IIFC Information/Intelligence Fusion Center

I/I FFOG Intelligence/Investigations Function Field 

Operations Guide 

III Interstate Identification Index

IILCM Integrated Investment Life Cycle Management 

IIMG Interagency Incident Management Group

IIMS Integrated Information Management System

IIMT Interagency Incident Management Team
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

210 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IIMTQS Interagency Incident Management Team 

Qualifications System Guide 

IIOM Install, Integrate, Operate and Maintain

IIPG Initial Incident Planning Group 

IIPLR Insurance Institute for Property Loss Reduction 

IIPO Information Integration Program Office

IIR Intelligence Information Report(s) 

IIRIRA Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 

Responsibility Act

IIT Incident Investigation Team

IITCT Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques for 

Courtroom Testimony

IITP Internet Investigations Training Program

IJ Investment Justification 

IJIS Integrated Justice Information System

IJP Integrated Justice Portal (secure web-based 

justice information system) 

ILE Installations, Logistics and Environment

ILEA International Law Enforcement Academy

ILM Information Lifecycle Management

ILMS Integrated Logistics Management System 

ILS

 Integrated Landing System 

 Integrated Logistics Support 

 Intermediate Life Support 

ILSP Integrated Logistics Support Plan 

IM  Incident Manager 

 Incident Management

IMA Individual Mobilization Augmentee 

IMAAC Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric 

Assessment Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

211 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IMAC

 Infrastructure Monitoring, Analysis and 

Coordination

 Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact

IMAGE USICE Mutual Agreement Between Government 

and Employers

IMAI Integrated Management of Adult Illness 

IMAP Interactive Mail Access Protocol

IMAR Inspection Management Activity Report

IMAS/S Intrastate/Interstate Mutual Aid Support 

/System 

IMAST Information Management Acquisitions Support 

and Tools 

IMAT Incident Management Assistance Team

IMC 

 Incident Management Cell 

 Instrument Meteorological Conditions

 Interim Message Change

 International Morse Code 

IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses 

IMCS Incident Management Communications 

Systems

IMD Incident Management Division (USCG)

IMD Information Management Division/Directorate 

IMET Incident Meteorologist

IMEX Information Management Specialist Expert 

IMG Information Management Group

IMGS Information Management Group Supervisor 

IMH Incident Management Handbook 

IMI Interactive Multimedia Instructions 

IMINT Imagery Intelligence

IMLS Institute of Museum and Library Services 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

212 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IMM Incident Management Manual

IMMG Information Management Reports and Planning 

Manager 

IMO International Maritime Organization

IMOC International Maritime Officers Course

IMPAC International Merchant Purchase Authorization 

Card

IMPT Incident Management Planning Team

IMR Inspection Management Review 

IMRD Information Management and Requirements 

Division

IMS 

 Image Management System

 Incident Management System/Structure 

 Information Management System

 Institute of Museum Services

 Intelligence Management System

 Ion Mobility Spectrometry (use for detection 

of explosives and drugs) 

IMSA Incident Medical Special Assistant

IMSD

Obsolete: Incident Management Systems 

Division 

Replaced by: National Integration Center (NIC)

IMSK Incident Management and Support Keystone 

IMSM Incident Medical Special Manager

IMSR Incident Management Situation Report

IMST Incident Medical Special Technician

IMSuRT International Medical Surgical Response Team

IMT 

 Incident Management Team

 Integrated Management Team

 International Mobile Telecommunications 

IMTL Information Management Task Force Leader 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

213 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IMU Inertial Measurement Unit

IN Intelligent Network 

INA Immigration and Nationality Act

INC Income

InCAST Inventory Collection and Survey Tool 

INCITS International Committee for Information 

Technology Standards 

INCL Insurance Crew Leader 

INCM Incident Communications Manager

IND Improvised Nuclear Device

India Phonetic Alphabet for I 

INEE Inter-Agency Network for Education in 

Emergencies 

INEEL Idaho National Engineering and Environmental 

Laboratory

INEOA International Narcotic Enforcement Officers 

Association

INER Interagency National Executive Reserve

INES International Nuclear Event Scale (IAEA) (rated 

on seven levels) 

INF  Infrastructure

 Immediate Needs Funding

INFOCON Information Operations Condition

INFOSEC  Information Security

 Information Systems Security 

INFOWAR Information Warfare 

INGS Infrastructure Assets Group Supervisor 

INL International Narcotics and Law Enforcement 

Affairs 

INMARST International Maritime Satellite Terminal
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

214 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

INPASS

Obsolete: INS Passenger Accelerated Service 

System 

Replaced by: Global Entry (CBP) 

INPHO Information Network for Public Health Officials

INPO Institute for Nuclear Power Operations

INS  Insurance

 Inertial Navigation System

INSARAG International Search and Rescue Advisory 

Group

INSCOM Intelligence and Security Command (United 

States Army) 

Insp Inspection

INT Intelligence

INTERCOM Internal Communications

INTERPOL

International Police Organization (also known 

as the International Criminal Police 

Organization) 

INTL Insurance Hotline Crew Leader 

INTREP Intelligence Report 

INV (Office of) Investigations

IO 

 Information Officer 

 Information Operations 

 International Organization 

 Investigation Officer 

I-O, I/O  Input-Output 

 Inboard/Outboard (of personnel) 

IOC  Initial Operational Capability 

 International Olympic Committee

IOF  Initial Operating Facility 

 Interim Operating Facility 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

215 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IOM  International Organization for Migration

 Installation, Operation and Maintenance 

IONS Incident of National Significance

IOOS Integrated Ocean Observing System (NOAA)

IOP Interagency Operations Plan 

IOR Initial Operating Report

IOU Investor-Owned Utility 

IP 

 Infrastructure Protection 

 Implementing Procedure

 Improvement Plan

 Infected Premises

 Internet Protocol

 Office of Infrastructure Protection (CISA)

I&P or I/P Information and Planning

IPA Interagency Personnel Agreement

IPAWS Integrated Public Alert and Warning System 

IPB Illustrated Parts Breakdown

IPC

 Infection Prevention and Control 

 Initial Planning Conference

 Interagency Planning Committee

 Interagency Policy Committee 

 International Paralympic Committee

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

IPD Infrastructure Protection Division

IPE  Integrated Performance Evaluation

 Integrated Process Evaluation

IPFO Interim Principal Federal Official

IPG Integrated Planning Guidance

IPI Indigenous Populations and Institutions 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

216 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IPIA Improper Payments Information Act

IPP

 Imminent Peril to the Public

 Impact Point Prediction 

 Independent Power Producer 

 Infrastructure Protection Program 

 Integrated Preparedness Planning

IPPW Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop

IPR

 Incident Prevention and Response

 Initial Projections Report

 In-Process/Progress Review

 Intellectual Property Rights

 Interim Program Review 

IPRL Intelligent Personal Radiation Locator

IPRSGP Intercity Passenger Rail Security Grant Program

IPS

 Information and Planning Section

 Information Processing System

 Integrated Planning System

 International Port Security

IPSC Information and Planning Section Chief 

IPSCOM Imagery Policy and Security Committee

IPT

 Information, Processing and Technology 

 Integrated Process or Planning Team

 Integrated Product or Project Team

 International Practical Temperature Scale of 

1990 (an international temperature scale 

agreement) 

IPTI Integrated Patient Tracking Initiative 

IPV4 Internet Protocol Version 4 

IPV6 Internet Protocol Version 6 

IPX Internetwork Packet Exchange

IPZ Ingestion Pathway Zone
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

217 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IQCS Incident Qualification and Certification System 

(NWCG) 

IR 

 Identification Response 

 Incident Report 

 Information Requirement 

 Infrared

 Infrared Radiation 

IRA Immediate Response Authority 

IRAPP Infrastructure Risk Assessment Partnership 

Program

IRB

 Information Resources Board

 Institutional Review Board

 Investment Review Board

IRBM Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

IRC

 Information Resources Center

 InfoSec (Information Security) Research 

Council

 International Rescue Committee (NGO) 

 International Residential Code

 Internet Relay Chat 

 Interagency Recovery Coordination

IRCA Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

IRCG International Resources Coordination Group 

IRCM Infrared Countermeasure

IRCP Incident Radio Communications Plan 

IRCT Incident Response Coordination Team (HHS) 

IRF Initial Response Force

IRFA International Religious Freedom Act

IRFC Initial Response Force Commander

IRFS Infrared Field Specialist

IRI Industrial Research Institute
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

218 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IRIN Infrared Interpreter (infrared imagery related to 

wildfire suppression) NWCG

IRIS 

 Incident Resource Inventory System

 Incorporated Research Institutions for 

Seismology

IRM Information Resources Management

IRMCO Interagency Resources Management 

Conference

IRMS Information Resources Management Service

IRP

 Installation Restoration Plan

 Institutional Removal Program

 International Recovery Platform (NGO)

 Investment Review Process

IRPMR Information Resources Procurement and 

Management Review

IRR Initial Response Resource

IRRIS Integrated Response and Recovery Information 

System

IRS

 Indoor Residual Spraying (mosquitoes 

control spraying) 

 Integrated Responder Solution 

 Internal Revenue Service 

IRSCC Interagency Remote Sensing Coordination Cell 

IRT

 Independent Review Team

 Initial Response Team

 International Registered Traveler

IRTI Immigration Reform Transformation Initiatives

IRTPA Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention 

Act of 2004

IRVMC Inland River Vessel Management Center

IRZ Immediate Response Zone
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

219 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IS 

 Incident Support 

 Independent Study

 Information Security

 Information System

 Infrastructure Support

 Inspection Services 

IS&C Information Sharing and Coordination

ISA  Incident Staging Area

 Industry Standard Architecture 

ISAIPC Information Sharing and Access Interagency 

Policy Committee 

ISAA Information Sharing and Access Agreements 

ISAAC Integrated Security and Access Control

ISAAG Information Systems Architectural Advisory 

Group

ISABP International South Atlantic Buoy Program

ISAC Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NGO) 

ISACA Information Systems Audit and Control 

Association

ISAF International Security Assistance Force 

ISAMS Information Sharing Agreement Management 

System

ISAO Information Sharing and Analysis Organization

ISAR Inspection Services Activity Report

ISB  Incident Support Base 

 Intermediate Staging Base 

ISBE Infrastructure Security for the Built Environment 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

220 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ISC

 Industrial Supply Chain 

 Information Sharing and Collaboration Office 

(DHS)

 Infrastructure Subcommittee (United States

House Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure)

 Inspection Services Coordinator

 Integrated Supply Change 

 Interagency Security Committee (DHS)

 International Seismological Center 

ISCC Information Sharing Coordinating Council

ISCO Information Sharing and Collaboration Office

ISCORS Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation 

Standards

ISCP Integrated Support Communications Plan

ISCS International Satellite Communications Systems

ISD Infrastructure Services Division

ISDL Inert Skin Decontamination Lotion

ISDN Integrated Services for Digital Network 

ISDR International Strategy for Disaster Reduction 

ISE Information Sharing Environment

ISFSI International Society of Fire Service Instructors

ISG Incident Support Group

ISGB Information Sharing Governance Board

ISI

Obsolete: Immigration Security Initiative

Replaced by: Immigration Advisory Program 

(IAP) 

ISIL 

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (see ISIS 

and also known as the Arabic language 

acronym “Daesh") 

ISIP Initial Strategy Implementation Plan 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

221 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ISIS 

 Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System

 Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (see ISIL and 

also known as the Arabic language acronym 

“Daesh") 

ISM  Information Security Marketing

 Integrated Safety Management

ISMA International Security Management Association

ISN International Security and Nonproliferation, 

Bureau of (DOS) 

ISO

 Incident Support Organization

 Insurance Services Office

 International Organization for 

Standardization 

 International Security Organization

ISOC Interagency Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) 

Operations Guide 

ISOO Information Security Oversight Office

ISP

 Immediate Services Program

 Incident Strategic Plan 

 Incident Support Plan 

 Information Security Program

 Interagency Security Plan

 Internet Service Provider

ISPAG Information Systems Policy Advisory Group

ISPO International Society for Prosthetics and 

Orthotics 

ISPP Information Systems Planning Program

ISPS International Ship and Port Facility Security

ISR

 Intelligence, Surveillance and 

Reconnaissance

 Inventory System of Record 

ISRMC Information Safeguarding and Risk 

Management Council 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

222 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ISRS Image Storage and Retrieval System 

ISS

 International Seismological Summary 

 International Situation Summary 

 Inventory Support Specialist

ISSA  Information Systems Security Association

 Interservice Support Agreement

ISSM Information Systems Security Manager 

ISSO Information Systems Security Office/Officer 

ISSP Information Systems Security Program

ISSRT Integrated Public Alert and Warning System

(IPAWS) Supported State/Regional Testing

ISSS Information Sharing and Safeguarding Strategy 

IST Incident Support Team

IST-A Incident Support Team – Advance Element

I-STAFF

Obsolete: DHS Headquarters Operational 

Integration Staff

Replaced by: Directorate for Preparedness 

ISTEA Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 

Act

ISTL Incident Support Team Leader

ISTS Institute for Security Technology Studies

ISVA/B Information Security Vulnerability Alert/Bulletin 

ISVB Imagery Science Validation Board

ISVM Information Security Vulnerability Management 

ISWG Import Safety Working Group

IT Information Technology

ITA  Information Technology Architecture

 Integrated Transport Analysis

ITAA Information Technology Association of America
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

223 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ITAAC Inspections, Tests, Analyses and Acceptance 

Criteria

ITAC Information Technology Acquisition Center

ITACG Interagency Threat Assessment and 

Coordination Group

ITAM IT Asset Management 

ITC 

 Information Technology Committee

 Information Technology Coordinator

 International Trade Commission

ITD International Training Division

ITDR Information Technology Disaster Recovery 

ITDS International Trade Data System

ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers

I-Team  Incident Team

 Intelligence Team

ITED IFSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture 

Radar) Terrain Elevation Data

iTEMA Tribal Emergency Management Association 

ITEMC Inter-Tribal Emergency Management Coalition 

ITEP Information Technology and Evaluation Program

ITF Intelligence Task Force

ITI International to International

ITIC International Tsunami Information Center

ITIM Information Technology Investment 

Management 

ITIPS Information Technology Investment Portfolio 

System

ITL Information Technology Laboratory

ITLS International Trauma Life Support 

ITM Inspection Transfer Manager
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

224 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ITMG IT Manager

ITMRA Information Technology Management Reform 

Act of 1996

ITP Infrastructure Transformation Program

Individual Training Plan

ITPMO Infrastructure Transformation Program Office

ITR Independent Technical Review 

I-TRAP Interagency Terrorism Response Awareness 

Program

ITS 

 Information Technology Services

 Intelligent Transport/Transportation System

 Inventory tracking System 

ITSB Information Technology Security Branch 

ITSD Information Technology Services Directorate/ 

Department/Division 

ITSEF Information Technology Security Entrepreneurs’ 

Forum 

ITSH Internal Transport, Storage and Handling

ITSM IT Service Manager

ITSP IT Specialist

ITSS Information Technology Systems and Solutions 

ITTC Identity Theft Technology Council

ITU 

 International Telecommunications Union 

(United Nations) 

 International Toxic Units 

ITUL Intake Tracking Unit Leader

ITV In-Transit Visibility

ITW/AA Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack 

Assessment 

ITWG International Technical Working Group
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

225 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IUPA International Union of Police Associations

IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied 

Chemistry 

IV Intravenous

IV&V  Independent Verification and Validation

 Interdependent Verification and Validation

IVD Interactive Video Disk

IVHHN International Volcanic Health Hazard Network

IVR Interactive Voice Response

IW Information Warfare 

I&W Indication and Warning

IWDD Incident Workforce Deployment Directive(s) 

IWF Incident Workforce 

IWFD Incident Workforce Management Division 

IWFM Incident Workforce Management 

IWG

 Implementation Working Group

 Interagency Working Group 

 Interoperability Working Group 

 Investment Working Group

IWIN Interactive Weather Information Network

IWMD Incident Workforce Management Division 

IWMO Incident Workforce Management Office 

IWN Integrated Wireless Network

IWOMEN International Association of Women in Fire and 

Emergency Services

IWP Integrated Warning Program 

IWPEP Incident Workforce Performance Evaluation 

Program 

IWR Institute for Water Resources (USACE) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

226 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

IWS Information Warfare and Strategy 

IWUIC International Wildland-Urban Interface Code 

IXAD Individual Assistance Liaison Advisor 

IXP Internet Exchange Points 

IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding 

J: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

J-1 Manpower and Personnel Directorate of a Joint 

Staff 

J-2 Intelligence Directorate of a Joint Staff 

J-3 Operations Directorate of a Joint Staff 

J-4 Logistics Directorate of a Joint Staff 

J-5 Plans and Policies Directorate of a Joint Staff 

J-6 Communications Directorate of a Joint Staff 

JAARS Joint After-Action Reporting System

JAC  Joint Advisory Committee

 Joint Analysis Center

JACE Joint Assessment of Catastrophic Events

JAD Joint Application Development

JADE Java Auto-Determination Engine

JAG  Joint Action Group

 Judge Advocate General (DOD)

JAM  Joint Assessment Mission 

 Joint Assessment of Needs Mission 

JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association 

JAN Jurisdiction Area Network 

JAS Joint Alternate Site
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

227 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JATS Joint Air Transportation System

JAWAS Joint Automated Weather Observing System

JBMC2 Joint Battle Management Command and 

Control 

JBPDS Joint Biological Point Detection Systems

JCAH Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals

JCAHO Joint Commission on Accreditation of 

Healthcare Organizations

JCAP Joint Crisis Action Planning Team 

JCC  Jewish Community Center 

 Joint Coordination Center

JCCC Joint Customs Coordination Council (United 

States/E.U.) 

JCGC Joint Center for Global Connectivity

JCHC Joint Committee on Health Care 

JCIDS Joint Capability Integration and Development 

System 

JCMOTF Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force 

JCN Justice Consolidated Network 

JCREC Joint Committee on Rural EMS Care 

JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff

JDCC Joint Data Coordination Center

JDD Joint Doctrine Development Community 

JDDOC Joint Deployment and Distribution Operations 

Center 

JDN Joint Doctrine Notes 

JDPC Joint Doctrine Planner’s Conference 

JDISS Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System

JDOMS Joint Director of Military Support
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

228 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JDTC Joint Deployment Training Center 

JEAD Joint Exercise and Analysis Division

JECC Joint Enabling Capabilities Command 

JECG Joint Exercise Control Group

JEEP Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan

JEMP Joint Exercise Management Program

JEOC Joint Emergency Operations Center

JETDS Joint Electronics Designation System 

JFACC Joint Force Air Component Commander

JFC  Joint Federal Committee 

 Joint Force Command/Commander

JFCC Space Joint Functional Component Command for 

Space 

JFCOM Joint Forces Command

JFHQ-HLS Joint Forces Headquarters – Homeland Security

JFHQ-State Joint Force Headquarters – State

JFLCC Joint Force Land Component Commander

JFO Joint Field Office

JFOCG Joint Field Office Coordination Group

JFSP Joint Fire Science Program

JHA  Job Hazard Analysis

 Jurisdiction Having Authority 

JHAT Joint Hazardous Assessment Team

JHEC Joint Hazard Evaluation Center

JHOC

 Joint Harbor Operations Command Center

 Joint Humanitarian Operations Course 

(USAID) 

JHSG Joint Housing Solutions Group 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

229 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JI  Joint Implementation 

 Joint Inspection 

JIACG Joint Interagency Coordination Group

JIALO Joint Interagency Liaison Officer

JIATF Joint Interagency Task Force

JIB Joint Information Bureau

JIC

 Joint Industrial Council

 Joint Information Center

 Joint Integrating Concept 

 Joint Intelligence Center

JICC Joint Information Coordination Center 

JICG Joint International Control Group

JICPAC Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific

JIFX Joint Interagency Field Exploration 

JIISE Joint Interagency Intelligence Support Element

JIMG Joint Information Manager

JIMPP Joint Industrial Mobilization Planning Process

JIOC  Joint Intelligence Operations Center

 Joint Investigative Operations Center

JIPOE Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational 

Environment 

JIS Joint Information System

JISE Joint Intelligence Support Element 

JIT  Job Instruction Training

 Just-In-Time

JITC Joint Interoperability Test Command

JITF-CT Joint Intelligence Task Force for Combating 

Terrorism

JLC Joint Leadership Council 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

230 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JLCO Joint Legal Claims Office 

JLOC Joint Logistics Operations Center 

JLLIS Joint Lessons Learned Information System 

JMAO Joint Mortuary Affairs Office 

JMC Joint Movement Center

JMET Joint Mission Essential Task

JMFU Joint Meteorological-and-Oceanographic

(METOC) Forecast Unit 

JMIE Joint Maritime Information Element

JMIP Joint Military Intelligence Program

JMISTF Joint Military Information Support Task Force 

JMMO Joint Medical Mobilization Office 

JMRO Joint Medical Regulating Office

JMSEL Joint Master Scenario Event List 

JMT Joint Management Team

JNACC Joint Nuclear Accident Coordinating Center

JNAIRT Joint Nuclear Accident/Incident Response Team

JNC Joint News Center

JNCC Joint Network Operations Control Center 

JNEMSLF Joint National EMS Leadership Forum

JNWC Joint Navigation Warfare Center

JOA Joint Operational Area

JOC Joint Operations Center (FBI)

JoCC Joint Coordination Center 

Joint

Elements of Two or More Military and/or Civilian 

Organizations Combined into a Unified 

Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

231 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JOPES Joint Operations Planning and Execution 

System 

JOPP Joint Operation Planning Process 

JP  Joint Publication 

 Joint Project 

JPAC Joint Planning Augmentation Cell (CBIRF) 

JPAS Joint Personnel Adjudication System

JPASE Joint Public Affairs Support Element 

JPATS

 Joint Patient Assessment and Tracking 

System (HHS)

 Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation 

System (United States Marshals Service)

JPEG  Filename Extension for a Digital Image 

 Joint Photographic Experts Group

JPEO CBD Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and 

Biological Defense

JPG Filename Extension for a Digital Image 

JPIC Joint Public Information Center

JPMRC Joint Patient Movement Requirements Center

JPMT Joint Patient Movement Team

JPO Joint Program Office

JPOTF Joint Psychological Operations Task Force 

JPSG Justice-Defense Program Steering Group

JRCC Joint Rescue Coordination Center 

JRERP Joint Radiological Emergency Response Plan

JRIC Joint Regional Intelligence Center

JRMP Joint Regional Medical Planner

JRMPO Joint Regional Medical Planning Office

JRO Joint Recovery Office
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

232 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JRS Joint Reporting System

JRSOI Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement 

and Integration 

JRT Joint Response Team

JS Joint Staff

JSAC Joint State Area Command 

JSAP Joint Staff Action Package 

JSCP Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan

JSCRWG Joint Supply Chain Resilience Working Group

JSDS Joint Staff Doctrine Sponsor 

JSERA Joint Special Events Risk Assessment 

JSIPP Joint Service Installation Pilot Program 

JSNCP JAN Service and Network Control Point 

JSON JavaScript Object Notation 

JSOTF Joint Special Operations Task Force

JSpOC Joint Space Operations Center (DOD) 

JSTARS Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System

JTF Joint Task Force

JTF-CDR Joint Task Force-Commander

JTF-CM Joint Task Force - Consequence Management

JTF-CS Joint Task Force - Civil Support

JTF-FF Joint Task Force - Firefighter

JTF-Katrina Joint Task Force-Katrina

JTF-NCR Joint Task Force - National Capital Region

JTF-O Joint Task Force - Olympics

JTF-State Joint Task Force-State

JTIMS Joint Training Information Management System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

233 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/ Description

JTMS Joint Training Master Schedule

JTOT  Joint Tactical Operations Team

 Joint Technical Operations Team

JTR Joint Travel Regulations

JTRB Joint Telecommunications Resources Board

JTRS Joint Tactical Radio System

JTTF Joint Terrorism Task Force

JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center

Juliet Phonetic Alphabet for J 

JULL Joint Universal Lessons Learned (Report)

JULLS Joint Universal Lessons Learned System

JVM Java Virtual Machine

JWARN Joint Warning and Reporting Network

JWC Joint Warfare Center

JWFC Joint Warfighting Center

JWG Joint Working Group 

JWICS Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication 

System (DOD)

JWID Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration

JWPMO Joint Wireless Program Management Office 

JXDM (Global) Justice XML Data Model

K: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

k Kilo (1,000 Grams)

KAPP Obsolete: Key Asset Protection Program

Kb Kilobit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

234 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

kB Kilobyte (either 1,000 or 1,024 bytes)

KB Knowledge Base 

KBDI

Keetch-Byram Drought Index (United States

National Park Service [NPS]) (measure the 

effects of seasonal drought on fire potential) 

 KBDI = 0–200 - Soil moisture and large 

class fuel moistures are high 

 KBDI = 200–400 - Lower litter and duff 

layers are drying and begin to contribute to 

fire intensity

 KBDI = 400–600 - Lower litter and duff 

layers actively contribute to fire intensity 

 KBDI = 600–800 - Associated with more 

severe drought with increased wildfire 

occurrence

KBPS Kilobits Per Seconds

KBRM Knowledge-Based Risk Management

KD Knocked Down

KDP Key Decision Point

KED Kendrick Extrication Device 

kg Kilogram

kHz KiloHertz

KI Potassium Iodide

KIAS Knots Indicated Air Speed 

Kilo Phonetic Alphabet for K 

KIO Key Intelligence Official 

KIQ Key Intelligence Question 

km Kilometer

KMI Key Management Infrastructure

KML Keyhole Markup Language

KMO Knowledge Management Officer 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

235 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

KMS Knowledge Management System

KN Kilo-Newton

KPP Key Performance Parameter 

KSA Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KSC Kennedy Space Center 

KSO Key Security Official

KST Known or Suspected Terrorist

KT

 Kiloton (equivalent to that of 1,000 metric 

tons) 

 Knots (unit of speed equal to one nautical 

mile [1.852 km] per hour) 

kV Kilovolt (equal to 1000 volts) 

KVERT Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response 

Team

kW, KW Kilowatt

kWh, kW-h, kW h Kilowatt Hour (Unit of Measurement for 

Electrical Power)

L: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

L Locality

L&D  Labor and Delivery 

 Learning and Development

L/RMP Land/Resource Management Plan 

LA

 Legal Adviser 

 Limited Access

 Local Authorities 

 Lost Animal 

 Obsolete: Legislative Affairs

Replaced by: Office of Legislative Affairs 

(OLA) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

236 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LAC  Latin America and the Caribbean 

 Local Assistance Center

LACIS Lightweight Autonomous Chemical 

Identification System 

LAG  Lowest Adjacent Grade

 Lowest Adjacent Ground

LAL Lightning Activity Level 

LAN Local Area Network

LAN/WAN Local Area Network/Wide Area Network

LANDSAT Land Satellite

LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory

LAO Lead Agency Official

LAP Logistics Assistance Program 

LASP Large Aircraft Security Program

LAT Large Air Tanker 

Lat/Long Latitude and Longitude 

lb Pound

lbf Pound Force

LBNL Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 

LBP Lead-Based Paint 

LBR Legislative Budget Request 

LBTS Large Blast Thermal Simulator (simulate 

conventional or nuclear explosive blast effects) 

LBTT Local Business Transition Team

LBW Load-Bearing Wall 

LC

 Lethal Concentration 

 Logistics Center 

 Logistics Command 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

237 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LC-A Logistics Center-Atlanta 

L-CAR Local Capability Assessment for Readiness

LCAT Logistics Closeout Assistance Team

LCCE Life Cycle Cost Estimate

LCES Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes and 

Safety Zones 

LC-FW Logistics Center-Fort Worth

LCM Life Cycle Management

LC-MF Logistics Center-Moffett Field

LCMS Learning Content Management System

LCO Limiting Condition for Operation

LCoS Liquid Crystal on Silicon 

LCS Local Communications System

LCT Liaison Coordination Team 

LD

 Labor and Delivery

 Lethal Dose

 Load

 Local Distribution

LD50 Lethal Dose for 50% of the Exposed Population 

LDR Lutheran Disaster Response

LDRM Local Disaster Recovery Manager 

LDS

 Lightning Detection System

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 

Saints 

LDW Last Day Worked

LE  Law Enforcement

 Leased Equipment 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

238 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LEA

 Law Enforcement Activities 

 Law Enforcement Agency

 Locally Equivalent Alternatives 

LEAD Lead Legal Advisor 

LEADERS Lightweight Epidemiology Advanced Detection 

and Emergency Response System

LEAINTP Law Enforcement Advanced Interviewing 

Training Program

LEAP Law Enforcement Availability Pay

LEC Local Exchange Carrier

LECC Law Enforcement Coordination Center

LED Light-Emitting Diode

LEDET Law Enforcement Detachment

LEED Law Enforcement Executive Development 

Program

LEGAT Legal Attaché 

LEGATs Legal Attaché offices (FBI) 

LEGATS Legal Attachments 

LEGS Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards 

LEH Light Enforcement Helicopter

LEISI Law Enforcement Information Sharing Initiative 

LEISP Law Enforcement Information Sharing Program

LEL  Lower Explosive Limit

 Lowest Effect Level

LELI Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative

LELTI Law Enforcement Leadership Training Institute

LEM Local Emergency Management

LEMA Local Emergency Management Authority
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

239 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LEMDP Law Enforcement Management Development 

Program

LEO  Law Enforcement Officer

 Law Enforcement Online

LEOC Local Emergency Operations Center

LEOSA Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act

LEP

 Laser Eye Protection

 Limited English Proficiency

 Loaned Executive Program (DHS)

LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee

LEPPC Local Emergency Prevention and Preparedness 

Council

LERN Law Enforcement Radio Net

LERT Logistics Emergency Response Team

LES  Law Enforcement Sensitive 

 Leave and Earnings Statement 

LESC Law Enforcement Support Center

LESMC Law Enforcement Shared Mission Community 

LESO Law Enforcement Security Officer

LETI Law Enforcement Training Institute

LETPA Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention 

Activities (FEMA Grants Program) 

LETPP Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program

LETS Law Enforcement Telecommunications System

LEU Low-Enriched Uranium

LEVEL I EST Full EST activation level (NRCC)

LEVEL II EST Intermediate EST activation level (NRCC)

LEVEL III EST Minimal EST activation level (NRCC)

LEWG Law Enforcement Working Group
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

240 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LF  Lethal Factor (microbiology) 

 Logistics Function 

LFA Lead Federal Agency

LFD Letter of Final Determination 

LFE Lowest Floor Elevation

LFEOC Local Federal Emergency Operations Center

LFFE Lowest Finished Flood Elevation

LFO Lead Federal Official

LFP Livestock Feed Programs

LGAD Legal Advisor 

LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender 

LGR Local Government Radio 

LGSP Logistics Specialist 

LH Local Hire

LHA Landing Helicopter - Assault

LHD  Landing Helicopter Deck

 Local Health Department

LHMC Local Hazard Mitigation Coordinator

LHMO Local Hazard Mitigation Officer 

LHMS Local Hazard Mitigation Strategy 

LHR Limited Home Repair

LHW Last Hour Worked

LIBSYS Library System

LIC License

LID Low-Impact Development

LIDAR, LiDAR, LADAR  Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging 

 Light Detection and Ranging
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

241 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LIDEF Levee Inventory Data Entry Form

LIFE Legal Immigration Family Equity

Lifeline

A lifeline enables the continuous operation of 

critical government and business functions and 

is essential to human health and safety or 

economic security. 

LIHEAP Low Income Household Energy Assistance 

Program

Lima Phonetic Alphabet for L 

LIMFAC Limiting Factor

LIMS  Laboratory Information Management System

 Logistics Information Management System

LiMWA Limit of Moderate Wave Action 

LInX Law Enforcement Information Exchange (Naval 

Criminal Investigative Service)

LIP Linguistically Isolated Populations

LISI Levels of Information Systems Interoperability 

LISS Linear Imaging and Self-Scanning

LKA Last Known Address 

LKP Last Known Position 

LL  Landline (a wire or fiber-optic line telephone) 

 Lessons Learned

LLA Lessons Learned Advisor 

LLC  Limited Liability Company 

 Lessons-Learned Committee 

LLEA  Lead Law Enforcement Agency

 Local Law Enforcement Agency

LLIN Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Net 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

242 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LLIS

Obsolete: Lessons Learned Information Sharing 

System

Replaced by: Joint Lessons Learned Information 

System (JLLIS)

LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

LLO  Logical Lines of Operations 

 Logistical Lines of Operations

LLP Limited Liability Partnership

LLPT Local Levee Partnership Team 

LLR  Lessons Learned (hot wash) Report

 Low Literacy Rate

LLW Low-Level Waste

LLWS Low-Level Wind Shear

LM Logistics Management 

LMA Land Management Agencies

LMD Logistics Management Directorate 

LMF Logistics Management Facility

LMFBR Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor

LMI Logistics Management Institute

LMIS Logistics Management Information System 

LMPC Labor-Management Partnership Council

LMR

 Labor-Management Relations

 Land Mobile Radio 

 Logistics Management Report 

LMS

 Land Mobile Satellite System (mobile 

communications) 

 Local Mitigation Strategy 

 Learning Management Systems

LNG Liquefied Natural Gas

LNO Liaison Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

243 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LNU Last Name Unknown

LOA Letter of Agreement 

LOAC Law Of Armed Conflict

LOAD Loadmaster (responsible for transport of aerial 

cargo)

LOAEL Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level

LOB Line of Business

LOC

 Level of Operational Capability 

 Line of Communication

 Location 

 Logistics Operation Center 

LOCA Loss of Coolant Accident (a pipe rupture in 

nuclear facility)

LOC-TFCS Letter of Credit − Treasury Financial 

Communications System

LODD Line of Duty Death 

LODR Letter of Determination Review (flood hazard 

determination)

LOE  Letter of Expectation 

 Line of Effect

LOFR Liaison Officer

LOG Logistics

LOGCAP Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program

LOI  Letter of Intent

 Letter of Instruction

LOINC Logical Observation Identifiers Names and 

Codes

LOMA Letter of Map Amendment (flood hazard maps)

LOMC Letter of Map Change (flood hazard maps)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

244 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LOMC-VALID Letter of Map Change Revalidation (flood 

hazard maps)

LOMR Letter of Map Revision (flood hazard maps)

LOMR-F Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (flood 

hazard maps)

LOP Legal Orientation Program

LOS Line of Sight

LOSA Logistical Operations Staging Area

LOSAP Length-of-Service Award Program

LOSSEST Loss Estimation

LOU  Letter of Understanding 

 Limited Official Use

LOVERS U Laddering, Overhaul, Ventilation, Entry, Rescue, 

Utilities 

LPA Legislative and Public Affairs

LPD Low Probability of Detection 

LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas

LPL Low Probability of Intercept 

LPN  License Plate Number 

 Licensed Practical Nurse

LPOC Last Port of Call (last stop on a ship’s scheduled 

journey) 

LPPC Local Preparedness and Prevention Council

LPR

 Lawful Permanent Resident (status)

 Legal Permanent Resident (person)

 Low Priority Request 

LPZ Low Population Zone
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

245 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LR

 Lease Rental

 Lethal Radius 

 Lightning Risk 

 Limited Response 

LRA  Local Responsible Area 

 Louisiana Recovery Authority

LR-BSDS Long Range Biological Standoff Detection 

System

LRC

 Learning Resource Center

 Logistics and Readiness Center (DOD) 

 Logistics Resource Center

LRFD Load and Resistance Factor Design

LRIP Low-Rate Initial Production

LRMP Long Range Management Plan

LRN Laboratory Response Network (CDC)

LRT  Logistics Response Time 

 Long Range Tracker (CBP) 

LRU Lowest Replaceable Unit

LS  Location System 

 Logistics Support

LSA  Logistics Staging Area

 Logistics Support Area 

LSB1, LSB2 Logistics Support Branch Director 1 and 2

LSC

 Legal Services Corporation

 Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection 

Association)

 Life Support Center

 Logistics Section Chief 

LSC1, LSC2, LSC3 Logistics Section Chief 1, 2 and 3

LSCAD Lightweight Stand-off Chemical Agent Detector
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

246 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LSCD Life Safety Code Deficiency

LSCMS Logistics Supply Chain Management System

LSCT Line Scout

LSE  Local Subscriber Environment

 Logistical Support Element 

LSFE Life Safety and Fire Engineering 

LSFP  Life Safety and Fire Protection

 Life Safety and Fire Protection Program

LSG Large-Scale Game

LSP Lump Sum Payment

LSS

 Large Standard Integrated Command Post 

System (SICPS) Shelter

 Life Support System

 Logistics Support Team 

LSV Logistical Staging Vehicle

LT Lieutenant (aka: Lt or Lieut.)

LTA Lighter Than Air

LTATP Land Transportation Anti-Terrorism Training 

Program

LTCR  Long Term Care Resources 

 Long-Term Community Recovery 

LTD Limited

LTDRO Long-Term Disaster Recovery Office 

LTE

 Less Than Expected 

 Long-Term Exposure 

 Low-Tide Elevation 

LTG Lieutenant General

LTL Less-than Truck Load
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

247 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

LTR  Letter 

 Long-Term Recovery

LTRC  Long-Term Recovery Committee

 Long-Term Recovery Coordinator

LTRO Obsolete: Long-Term Recovery Office

Replaced by: Joint Recovery Office

LULC Land Use and Land Cover

LUP Land Use Plan 

LVA Low Volatility Agent

LVB Large Vehicle Bomb

LVB1, LVB2 Service Branch Director 1 and 2 

LWA Lost Wages Assistance

LWDR Lost Work Day Rate

LWF Lutheran World Federation 

LWOP Leave Without Pay

LWR Light Water Reactor (nuclear power plant)

LXB1, LXB2 Logistics External Support Branch Director Type 

1 and 2 

LYMG Logistics Systems Manager 

LYSP Logistics Systems Specialist 

LZ Landing Zone

M: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

m Meter

MA

 Marshalling Area 

 Mission Assignment 

 Mortuary Affairs 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

248 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

M&A  Management and Administrative (expenses)

MAA Mutual Aid Agreement

MAAD Mobile Asset Activities Document

MAAFS Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists

MABAS Mutual Aid and Box Alarm System

MAC

 Mapping and Analysis Center 

 Mission Assignment Coordinator

 Mitigation Assistance Clinic

 Monitoring and Analysis Coordinator

 Multi-Agency Command

 Multiagency Coordinating or Coordination 

Entity 

MACA Military Assistance to Civil Authorities

MACC

 Multi-Agency Command Center

 Multi-Agency Coordination Center

 Multi-Agency Crime Center

MACDIS Military Assistance for Civil Disturbances

MAC Entity Multi-Agency Coordinating Entity

MACGp Multi-Agency Coordination Group

MAC Group Multi-Agency Coordination Group 

MACOM Major Army Command 

MACOM Major Command

MACS Multi-Agency Coordination System

MAEC Mid-America Earthquake Center

MAELU Mutual Atomic Energy Liability Underwriters

MAF Master Appropriation File

MAFC Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS)

Clerk

MAFFS Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

249 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MAFPT Multi-Agency Feeding Plan Template 

MAG-C Mission Assurance Governance Committee 

MAGIC MidAmerica GIS Consortium

MAGTF Marine Air-Ground Task Force 

MaHIM Medical and Health Incident Management 

MaHIMS Medical and Health Incident Management 

System

MALE Medium Altitude Long Endurance

MAM

 Mission Assignment Manager 

 Moderate Acute Malnutrition

 Multi-Agency Meeting 

MAMA-C Mid-America Mutual Aid Consortium 

MAMG Mission Assignment Manager 

MAN Metropolitan Area Network 

MANET Mobile Ad Hoc Networking 

MANPADS Man-Portable Air-Defense System

MAOC Military Air Operations Coordinator

MAPs Motorist Assist Points

MAP-21 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century 

Act 

MAR  Monthly Accomplishments Report

 Mutual Aid Readiness 

MARAC Mutual Aid Regional Advisory Committee

MARAD Maritime Administration

MARC Multi-Agency Resource Center (National Mass 

Care Strategy) 

MARCE

 Multi-Agency Resource Coordination 

Exercise 

 Multi-Jurisdictional Animal Resource 

Coordination Exercise 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

250 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MARCH Massive Hemorrhage Control, Airway Support, 

Respiratory Threats, Circulation, Hypothermia 

MAREP Marine Report

MARFOR Marine Force 

MARFORLANT Marine Forces Atlantic

MARIE Mutual Aid for Resilient Infrastructure in Europe 

MARO Mid-Atlantic Regional Office 

MARPLOT Mapping Applications for Response, Planning 

and Local Operational Tasks 

MARR Mission Assignment Reimbursement Request

MARS

 Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval 

System 

 Military Affiliated Radio System

 Mutual Aid and Resource Sharing 

MARSA Military Assumes Responsibility for Separation 

of Aircraft

MARSEC Maritime Security

MART Morning Advisory Risk Threat 

MAS Mapping Activity Statement 

MASS Mutual Aid Support System 

MASF Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility

MASFO Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation

MASH

Obsolete: Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

Replaced by: Combat Support Hospital (CSH) 

(United States Army)

MASINT Measurement and Signature Intelligence

MASP Mission Assignment Specialist 

MASPT Multi-Agency Sheltering/Sheltering Support 

Plan Template 

MASS Mutual Aid Support System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

251 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MAST

 Maritime Analysis Support Team (USCG) 

 Midwestern Alliance of Sovereign Tribes

 Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic 

 Mitigation Advisors' Strategic Tracker

 Mobile Army Surgical Team

MASTF  Multi-Agency Sheltering Task Force 

 Mutual Aid System Task Force 

MAT  Mitigation Assessment Team 

 Mobilization Assistance Team

MATES Mobilization and Training Equipment Site

MATF Multi-Agency Task Force

MATO Mission Assignment Task Order 

MATRIX Multi-State Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange 

MATTS

 Marine Asset Tag Tracking System

 Mobile Air Transportable 

Telecommunications System

MAUL Mission Assignment Unit Leader

MAV Micro Air Vehicle

Mayday

An international radiotelephone distress word 

or signal used by ships and aircraft to indicate a 

life-threatening emergency 

MB Megabyte (either 1,000,000 bytes or 

1,048,576 bytes)

Mb or mbar Millibar (metric unit for measuring atmospheric 

pressure equal to 1/1000 bar)

MBA Master of Business Administration

MBE Minority Business Enterprise 

MBMG Mobile Communications Office Vehicle Manager 

MBO Management by Objectives

MBOP Mobile Communications Office Vehicle Operator
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

252 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

Mbps Megabits per second 

MBPS Megabytes per Second

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MC

 Marine Corps

 Member of Congress

 Mission Critical 

 Mobilization Center

 Movement Control

MC/EA Mass Care/Emergency Assistance 

MCA Multi-Channel Analyzer

MCAD Military Crew Advisor

M-CAST Medical Capabilities Assessment and Status 

Tool 

MCB  Marine Corps Base 

 Movement Coordination Branch

MCC

 Major Cities (Police) Chiefs 

 Master Control Cell

 Mission Control Center

 Mobility Control Center

 Movement Coordination Center

MCCA Major Cities (Police) Chiefs Association 

MCCL Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Crew Leader 

MCD Medical Crew Director

MCE  Maximum Considered Earthquake 

 Maximum Credible Event

MC/EA Mass Care/Emergency Assistance

MCEER Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake 

Engineering Research

MCEX Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Specialist 

Expert 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

253 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MCF  Mass Care and Feeding

 Movement Coordination Function

MCG Multiagency Coordination Group 

MCGS Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Group 

Supervisor

MCH Maternal and Child Health 

MCHB Maternal and Child Health Bureau 

MCI Mass Casualty Incident

MCM Medical Countermeasures 

MCMC Mid-Continent Mapping Center

MCMT Mobilization Center Management Team

MCO Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) 

Coordination Office

MCOC Marine Corps Operations Center

MCOE Metadata Center of Excellence (DHS)

MCOV  Mobile Communication Office Vehicle 

 Mobile Communications Operations Vehicle 

MCR Military Communications Representative

MCS Movement Coordination System

MCSAP Motor Carrier Safety and Assistance Program

MCTL Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Task Force 

Leader 

MCU  Movement Coordination Unit

 Multipoint Control Unit 

MCVs Mobile Coordinating Vehicles (USACE) 

MD

 Management Directive

 Medical Doctor

 Moderate Damage 

MDA Maritime Domain Awareness
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

254 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MDC

 Maintenance and Deactivation Contracts

 Medical Direction Committee 

 Mobile Data Center 

MDD Metal Detection Device

MDF Medical, Dental and Funeral

MDGs Millennium Development Goals 

MDGR Millennium Development Goals Review 

MDRC Mobile Disaster Recovery Center

MDRO Mission Disaster Relief Officer (DOS) 

MDRP Mission Disaster Relief Plan (United States

Embassies) 

MDRV Mobile Disaster Recovery Vehicle

MDS Mennonite Disaster Service

MDST Mountain Daylight Savings Time

MDT

 Maximum Deployment Time 

 Mobile Data Terminal 

 Mountain Daylight Time

ME  Medical Examiner

 Mission Essential 

MEA  Major Emergency Action 

 Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft

MEAG Major Emergency Action Guide

MEAP Mobile Environmental Analytical Platform

MEC Medical Education Campus 

MECH Mechanic 

MECO Mobile Emergency Response Support 

Coordinator 

MED  Medical 

 Medium
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

255 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation 

MEDICO Medical Advice (USCG) 

MEDL Medical Unit Leader

MEDRED Medical Readiness (OHA)

MEDS Minimal Essential Data Set 

MEEMCN Minimum Essential Emergency Medical 

Communications Network

MEF  Medical Emergency in Flight 

 Mission Essential Functions

MEG Medical Evaluation Guidance

MEIR Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation

MEL  Maximum Emergency Load 

 Maximum Exposure Limit 

MEMU Mass Evacuation Management Unit

MENA Middle East and North Africa 

MEO Meteoroid Environment Office (NASA) 

MEOW  Maximum Envelope of Water 

 Maximum Envelope of Winds

MEP

 Municipal Emergency Plan 

 Master Exercise Program 

 Mobile Electric Power (Generators) 

MEPI Middle East Partnership Initiative

MEPIT Marine Environmental Protection Industry 

Training 

MEPP Master Exercise Practitioner Program

MERL Mobile Emergency Radiological Laboratory

MERRT Medical Emergency Radiological Response 

Team
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

256 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MERS

 Mobile Emergency Response Systems

 Mobile Emergency Response Support

 Mobile Emergency Response Support 

Specialist 

MERSA Mobile Emergency Response Support Assets

MERV Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle 

MESA Mobility for Emergency and Safety Applications 

MESP Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Specialist 

MET

 Meteorological

 Meteorologist

 Mission Essential Task

METAR Management Evaluation Technical Assessment 

Review

METAR Meteorological Aviation Report

METL Mission Essential Task List

METOC Meteorological and Oceanographic

METSAT Meteorological Satellite

METT-T Mission Enemy Terrain Troops-Time 

MEU Marine Expeditionary Unit 

MEUL Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Unit Leader 

MeV Megaelectronvolt (one million electron volts)

meV Millielectronvolt (a unit of energy equal to one 

thousandth of an electron volt)

MEWT Mobile Electronic Warfare Technologies

MEXUS Mexico and the United States 

MFA Medical Functional Area 

MFAS Marriage Fraud Amendment System 

MFF Marine Fire Fighting 

MFI Mass Fatality Incident 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

257 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MFM Mass Fatality Management 

MFR  Memorandum For the Record

 Multi-Functional Review 

MFRI Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute

MFTR Manufacturer

mg Milligram

MG Marsh Vegetation (Line)

MG/M3 Milligrams per Cubic Meter 

MG-MIN/M3 Milligram Minutes per Cubic Meter

MGMT Management

MGPS Program Group Supervisor

MGRS Military Grid Reference System 

MH

 Manufactured Housing

 Mental Health

 Mobile Home

MHA Multiple Hazard Analysis 

MHT Mental Health Team 

MH/TT Mobile Home/Travel Trailer 

MH/TT LEASE Mobile Home/Travel Trailer Lease 

MHA  Master of Health Administration 

 Multiple Hazard Analysis 

MHC Mobile Health Clinic

MHE Material Handling Equipment

MHEC Military Helicopter Crewmen

MHEM Military Helicopter Manager

MHMG Manufactured Housing Manager

MHMS Military Helicopter Manager Supervisor
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

258 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MHS Message Handling System

MHSP Manufactured Housing Specialist

MHSS Manufactured Housing Support Specialist

MHTGR Modular High Temperature Gas Reactor

MHU Manufactured Housing Unit 

MHUL Manufactured Housing Unit Leader

MHW Mean High Water

MHWL Mean High Water Line

MHz Megahertz

MI

 Major Incident

 Middle Initial

 Miscellaneous Items 

MI2 Multi-Level-Secure Information Infrastructure

MIB  Military Intelligence Board (DOD) 

 Management Information Base 

MIC 

 Media Information Center

 Medical Intelligence Center 

 Meteorologist in Charge

 Obsolete: Monitoring and Information Centre

Replaced by: Emergency Response 

Coordination Centre (ERCC, European 

Commission)

Micro-REMS Micro-Remote Environmental Monitoring 

System 

MICS Monitoring Information on Contracted Studies 

(System)

MICU Mobile Intensive Care Unit 

MIDAS Miniaturized Integrated DNA Analysis System 

MIDR Maximum Interstory Drift Ratio (use in 

determining structural seismic performance) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

259 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

M&IE  Meals and Incidental Expenses

 Miscellaneous and Incidental Expenses

MIEP Mass Immigration Emergency Plan 

MIFC Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center

MIGS

Obsolete: Mobile Integrated Geospatial 

Intelligence System

Replaced by: Domestic Mobile Integrated 

Geospatial-Intelligence System (DMIGS) 

MIH Mobile Integrated Health 

MIIS Microsoft Identity Integration Server

Mike Phonetic Alphabet for M 

MIL Military Advisor's Office

MILES Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System

MILNET

Obsolete: Military Network (DOD)

Replaced by: Non-classified Internet Protocol 

(IP) Router Network (NIPRNET) 

MIL-STD Military Standard

MILVAX Military Vaccine Agency 

MIM Major Incident Management

MIME Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions

MIMMS Major Incident Medical Management and 

Support 

MIN Mobile Identification Number

Min  Minimum or Minimal 

 Minute

MIND Maritime Interceptor for Nuclear Detection

MINICAM Miniature Chemical Agent Monitor

MINUSTAH United Nations Stabilization Mission to Haiti 

MINWG Montana Indian Nations Working Group 

MIP Mapping Information Platform 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

260 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MIPR Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request 

MIPT Memorial Institute for the Prevention of 

Terrorism

MIRA Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment 

MIRP

 Maritime Infrastructure Plan 

 Mexican Interior Repatriation Program 

 Military Improved Response Program

MIRV Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle 

MIS Management Information System 

MIS Military Information Support 

MISC Miscellaneous 

MISE Maritime Information Sharing Environment 

MISLE Maritime Information for Safety and Law 

Enforcement

MISO Military Information Support Operations 

MIST Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques 

MIT Mitigation

MITAM Mission Tasking Matrix 

MitFLG Mitigation Framework Leadership Group 

MITT Mobile Implementation Training Team

M-JPEG Motion JPEG

MKT Mobile Kitchen Trailer

MKU Mobile Kitchen Unit 

MLA Maritime Law Association 

MLAT Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

MLB Motor Lifeboat 

MLD Median Lethal Dose 

MLE Maritime Law Enforcement 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

261 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MLEO Marine Law Enforcement Officer 

MLETP  Marine Law Enforcement Training Program 

 Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (see MLA)

MLH Medium Lift Helicopter

MLI Mid-Term Levee System 

MLO Military Liaison Officer 

MLOS Microwave Line of Sight

MLRP Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program 

MLS Multilevel Security 

MLT

 Medical Laboratory Technician 

 Melting Point 

 Minimum Lead Time 

MLU Military Liaison Unit (USAID/OFDA) 

MLW Mean Low Water

mm Millimeter (equal to one thousandth of a meter)

MMA  Major Metropolitan Area

 Maximum Management Area 

MMAD Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter 

MMC Main Media Center

MMCE Medical Management of Chemical Exposure

MMD Merchant Mariner Document

MMF  Military Medical Facility 

 Multinational Maritime Force 

MMI Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (depicts 

shaking severity of an earthquake)

MMIS Municipal Management Information System

MMIT Merchant Marine Industry Training 

MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

262 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MMPAC Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory 

Committee

MMR

 Mass Migration Response 

 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (immunization 

vaccine) 

MMRS Metropolitan Medical Response System

MMS Minerals Management Service

MMST Metropolitan Medical Strike Team

MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (CDC)

MNAP Mapping Needs Assessment Process

MNF Multinational Force 

MNS Mission Needs Statement 

MNSP Management Analyst Specialist 

MNUSS Map Needs Update Support System 

MO  Medical Officer

 Method of Operation(s)

MOA  Memorandum of Agreement

 Military Operations Area 

MOAA Marina Operators Association of America 

MOB  Main Operating Base

 Mobilization (or Mobilize)

MOB Center Mobilization Center

MOC  Media Operations Centers

 MERS Operations Center 

MOD Mission Operations Directorate (National 

Reconnaissance Office [NRO]) 

MODEM Modulator/Demodulator

MODU Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

263 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MOE Measure of Effectiveness 

MOH Ministry of Health 

MOI 

 Mechanism of Injury 

 Methods of Instruction 

 Move Out Interview 

MOM

 Maximum of Maximums (a large-scale, 

catastrophic disaster or event)

 Middle of Month

MOOTW Military Operations Other Than War

MOP Measure of Performance 

MOPP Mission-Oriented Protective Posture

MORE

 Making Officer Redeployment Effective 

(community policing)

 Modular Operational Ration Enhancement 

(rations tailored to particular environments 

such as high altitude and cold weather, hot 

weather operations, etc.) 

MORT Mortgage 

MOS Military Occupational Specialty 

MOSA Modular Open Systems Approach 

MOSFET Metal Oxide Silicon Field-Effect Transistor 

MOSS

 Management Operations and Student 

Support

 Minimum Operational Security Standards 

MOTR Maritime Operational Threat Response 

MOTAPM Mines Other than Anti-Personnel Landmines 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MOV  Military-Owned Vehicle 

 Move/Movement 

MovCon Movement Control 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

264 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MOX Mixed Oxide Fuels

MP  Measurement Point 

 Military Police

MPA Maritime Patrol Aircraft

MPAC Muslim Public Affairs Council

MPC

 Main Planning Conference 

 Main Press Center

 Maximum Permissible Concentration 

 Mid-term Planning Conference

MPD

 Maximum Population Density

 Maximum Potential Destruction

 Meals per Day 

MPE Maximum Permissible Exposure

MPEG Motion Picture Experts Group

MPF Multi-Purpose Facility 

MPGS Program Group Supervisor

MPH

 Master of Public Health (post-nominal 

letters)

 Master of Public Health (degree) 

 Miles per Hour

MPS Mission Planning System

MPU

 Microprocessor Unit

 Mobile Power Unit

 Mobilization Planning Schedule

MQIT Medical Quality Improvement Team

MQM Medical Quality Management

MQTT Message Queuing Telemetry Transport 

MR  Medical Records

 Medical Response
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

265 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

mR Milliroentgen/Millirem (one thousandth of a 

roentgen)

Mr Millirem (dosage unit of absorbed radiation-one 

thousandth of a rem) 

mR/h milliroentgen per Hour (a measurement of 

hourly radiation exposure rate) 

MRA

 Mission Readiness Airlift 

 Monthly Rental Assistance 

 Mortgage and Rental Assistance

 Mountain Rescue Association 

 Mutual Recognition Agreements 

MRAA Marine Retailers Association of the Americas 

MRAM Media Relations Assistant Manager 

MRAT Medical Radiobiology Advisory Team

MRC

 Management Review Council

 Medical Reserve Corps

 Monthly Recurring Costs

MRCC Maritime Rescue Coordination Center 

MRE Meals Ready-to-Eat (the main operational food 

ration for the United States Armed Forces)

mRem Millirem (a unit of absorbed radiation dose)

MRF Medium Range Forecast

MRI

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (medical 

imaging) 

 Mean Recurrence Interval

MRIC Mobile Registration Intake Center

MRL Minimal Risk Level 

MRMC Medical Research and Materiel Command

MRO Mandatory Removal Offense 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

266 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MRP

 Machine Readable Passport

 Minimal Repair Program

 Mission Ready Packages (Emergency 

Management Assistance Compact) 

MRR Measurement Residual Ratio

MRRS MERS Response Reporting System

MRSP Media Relations Specialist 

MRT Medical Response Team

MRTT Mobilization Readiness Tracking Tool 

MRV

 Mobile Response Vehicle

 Monitoring Reporting and Verification

 Multiple/Missile Reentry Vehicle 

 Multi-Radio Van/Vehicle

Ms Surface Wave Magnitude (used to describe the 

size of an earthquake) 

M&S Modeling and Simulation

M/S  Meters per Second

 Moving and Storage 

MS&G Models, Simulations and Games

MS-1 Medical Service – 1 (Hospital)

MSA

 Metropolitan Statistical Area 

 Modeling, Simulation and Analysis

 Mutual Support Agreement

 Mission Scoping Assessment 

MSB Monthly Statistical Bulletin 

MSC

 Major Subordinate Command (USACE) 

 Map Service Center 

 Marine Safety Center

 Mobile Switching Center

 Mobility Service Center 

MSCA Military Support to Civil Authorities
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

267 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MSCC Medical Surge Capacity and Capability 

MSCLEA Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement 

Agencies

MSD

 Marine Sanitation Device 

 Military Support Detachment

 Mission Support Directorate (National 

Reconnaissance Office) 

 Minimum Safety Distance 

MSDS  Material Safety Data Sheet

 Manpower Standards Development System

MSE MERS Support Element

MSEHPA Model State Emergency Health Power Act

MSEL Master Scenario Events List 

MSET

Marine Security Enforcement Team (joint Royal 

Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Coast 

Guard Team) 

MSF

 Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without 

Borders) 

 Mail Service Facility 

 Mission Support Force 

MSFCMA Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and 

Management Act

MSFO Marine Safety Field Office

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

MSI Minority-Serving Institution

MSIA Metadata Standards for Information Assurance

MSIC Missile and Space Intelligence Center

MSIIP Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program

MSIS Marine Safety Information System

MS-ISAC Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis 

Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

268 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MSL Mean Sea Level

MSLO Military Support Liaison Officer 

MSO

 Marine Safety Office

 Maritime Security Operations

 Military Support Officer

 Mission Safety Officer 

MSPB Merit Systems Protection Board

MSR Main Supply Route

MSRAM Maritime Security Risk Assessment Model

MSST Maritime Safety and Security Team

MST

 Management Support Team

 Marine Science Technicians 

 Medical Strike Team 

 Mobile Service Tower

 Mountain Standard Time (GMT-7)

MSU

 Management Support Unit

 Marine Safety Unit

 Medical Support Unit

MSW Municipal Solid Waste 

MT

 Mitigation 

 Mobile Terminal 

 Modality Threat 

Mt Megaton

mt Metric Ton

M&T Movement and Transportation 

MTA  Material Transfer Area 

 Metropolitan Transit Authority 

MTBF Mean Time Before/Between Failure 

MTF Medical Treatment Facility
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

269 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MTI Methodology Technical Implementation

MTMC Military Traffic Management Command

MTO Marine Tactical Operations 

MTOE Modified Table of Organization and Equipment 

MTOW Maximum Takeoff Weight

MTP Master Trainer Program

MTR  Maritime Training Response

 Military Training Route

MTS Marine Transportation System 

MTSA Maritime Transportation Security Act

MTSP  Mass Transit Security Program

 HM Training Specialist 

MTSRU/L Marine Transportation System Recovery 

Unit/Leader 

MTT Mobile Training Team 

MTZ Mutual Threat Zone 

MU Medical Unit 

MUAC Mid-Upper Arm Circumference 

MUDAC Meteorological and Unified Dose Assessment 

Center

MUF Materials Unaccounted For

MULO Multipurpose Rain/Snow/CB Overboot 

MUTCD Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

MV Merchant Vessel

M/V Motor Vessel

MVA Motor Vehicle Accident 

MVC Motor Vehicle Crash 

MVGP Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

270 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

MW

 Megawatt

 Microwave

 Mixed Waste (contains both hazardous 

waste and radioactive components) 

 Mount Weather 

Mw Moment Magnitude Scale (estimate 

magnitudes for large earthquakes) 

mW Milliwatt

MWC Missile Warning Center 

MWCOG Metropolitan Washington Council of 

Governments 

MWD Military Working Dog 

MWEAC

 Mount Weather Emergency Action Center 

 Mount Weather Emergency Assistance 

Center 

MWEOC Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center 

MWFRS Main Wind Force Resisting System

MWh Megawatt Hour

MWMD Mount Weather Management Division 

MWS Marine Weather Statement

MXMS Mixmaster (NWCG) 

M-ZONE High Mudflow Hazard Area

N: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NA

 Needs Assessment 

 North America

 Not Authorized

N/A  Non-Applicable 

 Not Affected
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

271 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NAAE National Association of Agriculture Employees

NAAK Nerve Agent Antidote Kit 

NAAP Nuclear Accident Alerting Procedures 

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NAAT North American Aviation Trilateral

NAC

 National Advisory Committee

 National Advisory Council 

 National Agency Check

 Nebraska Avenue Complex (DHS)

 North Atlantic Council (NATO) 

NACA

 National Air Carrier Association

 National Animal Care and Control 

Association 

 National Association of County 

Administrators 

NAC/AEGL

National Advisory Committee for Acute 

Exposure Guideline Levels (for Chemical 

Substances) 

NACCHO National Association of County and City Health 

Officials

NACCD National Advisory Council on Children and 

Disasters (HHS) 

NACD National Association of Corporate Directors

NACDD National Association of Councils on 

Developmental Disabilities

NACE National Association of County Engineers

NACED National Advisory Council for Employees with 

Disabilities

NACI National Agency Check with Inquiries 

NACIC National Counterintelligence Center

NACo National Association of Counties
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

272 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NACS

 National Emergency Management 

Information System (NEMIS) Access Control 

System 

 NetWare Asynchronous Communications 

Service

 Network Access Control System 

NACWA National Association of Clean Water Agencies

NAD27 North American Datum of 1927

NAD83 North American Datum of 1983

NADB National Assets Data Base

NADO National Association of Development 

Organizations

NAE National Academy of Engineering 

NAEMSE National Association of EMS Educators 

NAEMSP National Association of EMS Physicians 

NAEMT National Association of Emergency Medical 

Technicians

NAERG North American Emergency Response 

Guidebook

NAFAX National Facsimile Network

NAFSMA National Association of Flood and Stormwater 

Management Agencies

NAFTA North America Free Trade Agreement

NAFTZ National Association of Free Trade Zones

NAHB National Association of Home Builders

NAHERC National Animal Health Emergency Response 

Corps

NAHF National Association of Hispanic Firefighters

NAHLN National Animal Health Laboratory Network 

NAI North American Initiative

NaI(Tl) Sodium Iodide Doped with Thallium (Scintillator)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

273 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NAIC National Association of Insurance 

Commissioners

NAII Obsolete: National Association of Independent 

Insurers

NAIIA National Association of Independent Insurance 

Adjusters

NAILS National Automated Immigration Lookout 

System

NAM National Academy of Medicine

NAMRI Naval Medical Research Institute

NANDA North American Nuclear Detection Architecture

NAO North Atlantic Oscillation 

NAOC National Airborne Operations Center 

NAOS North American Atmospheric Observing System

NAP

 National AIDS Policy

 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance 

Program

NAPA National Academy of Public Administration

NAPI National Arson Prevention Initiative

NAPSR National Association for Pipeline Safety 

Representatives 

NARA National Archives and Records Administration

NARAC National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center

NARCL Nuclear Accident Response Capabilities Listing

NARFE National Active and Retired Federal Employees 

Association

NARP

 National Agriculture Release Program

 Nuclear Accident Response Plan

 Nuclear Accident Response Procedures

NARS National Archives and Records Service
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

274 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NARSAP National Advanced Remote Sensing 

Applications Program

NARSC National Animal Rescue and Sheltering 

Coalition 

NARTC National Advanced Resource Technology Center

NARUC National Association of Regulatory Utility 

Commissioners

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASAAEP National Alliance of State Animal and 

Agricultural Emergency Programs 

NASAR National Association for Search and Rescue

NASCDD Obsolete: National Association of State Civil 

Defense Directors

NASCIO National Association of State Chief Information 

Officers

NASEMSD National Association of State Emergency 

Medical Services Directors

NASEMSO National Association of State Emergency 

Medical Officials

NASEO National Association for State Energy Officials 

NAS National Academy of Science 

NASF National Association of State Foresters

NASFM National Association of State Fire Marshals

NASMHPD National Association of State Mental Health 

Program Directors 

NASNA National Association of State 9-1-1 

Administrators

NASTD

Obsolete: National Association of State 

Telecommunications Directors

Replaced by: National Association of State 

Technology Directors (NASTD)

NASULGC National Association of State Universities and 

Land-Grant Colleges
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

275 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NAT Needs Assessment Tool 

NATA National Air Transportation Association 

NATCA National Air Traffic Controllers Association

National VOAD National Voluntary Organizations Active in 

Disaster 

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NATO ACT NATO Allied Command Transformation 

NAVAID Navigational Aid

NAVC National Audio-Visual Center

NAVD88 North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NAVELSG Navy Expeditionary Logistic Support Group 

NAVFOR Navy Forces 

NAVSAC Navigation Safety Advisory Council 

NAWAS  National Alert and Warning System

 National Warning System

NAWAS/BCC National Warning System Bridge and 

Conference Controller

NAWC National Association of Water Companies

NAWE National Association for Waterfront Employees

NBAA National Business Aviation Association 

NBAC NIEM Business Architecture Committee 

NBACC National Biosecurity Analysis and 

Countermeasures Center (DHS)

NBAF National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility

NBC Nuclear, Biological and Chemical

NBCRV Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance 

Vehicle 

NBF National Boating Federation 

NBFAC National Bioforensic Analysis Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

276 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NBFSPQ National Board on Fire Service Professional 

Qualifications

NBHPP National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness 

Program

NBIC National Biosurveillance Integration Center

NBIS National Biosurveillance Integration System

NBSAC National Boating Safety Advisory Council

NBSCAB National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory 

Board

NBSG National Biosurveillance Group

NBTA National Business Travel Association

NBWDA National Bioweapons Defense Analysis Center

NC&B Nuclear, Chemical and Biological

NCA  National Climate Assessment 

 National Command Authority (DOD)

NCAI National Congress of American Indians

NCAP National Corrective Action Program

NCAR National Center for Atmospheric Research

NCAS National Cyber Alert System

NCAT Network Centric Analysis Tool 

NCATF National Church Arson Task Force

NCAVC National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime

NCBDDD National Center on Birth Defects and 

Developmental Disabilities 

NCBFAA National Customs Brokers and Forwarders 

Association of America 

NCC

 National Coordinating Center 

(Telecommunications)

 National Coordination Committee 

 National Counterterrorism Center (DNI) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

277 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NCCC National Council of the Churches of Christ 

NCCG National Civilian Community Group

NCCIC National Cybersecurity and Communications 

Integration Center (DHS) 

NCD  National Council on Disability

 Non-Communicable Diseases 

NCDC National Climatic Data Center 

NCDDM National Center for Disaster Decision Making 

NCEH National Center for Environmental Health (CDC)

NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction

NCES Net-Centric Enterprise Services 

NCEZID National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic 

Infectious Diseases (CDC) 

NCFPD National Center for Food Protection and 

Defense

NCFS National Center for Forensic Science

NCGIA National Center for Geographic Information and 

Analysis

NCHRP National Cooperative Highway Research 

Program 

NCHS National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) 

NCI National Council of Information Sharing and 

Analysis Centers 

NCIC National Crime Information Center (FBI)

NCID National Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) 

NCIJTF National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force 

(FBI) 

NCIPP National Critical Infrastructure Prioritization 

Program (DHS) 

NCIRP National Cyber Incident Response Plan (DHS) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

278 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service

NCISP National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan

NCISS National Cyber Incident Severity Schema 

NCIX Office of National Counterintelligence Executive

NCJA National Criminal Justice Association

NCLIS National Commission on Libraries and 

Information Science

NCMEC National Center for Missing and Exploited 

Children

NCMPS National Center for Maritime and Port Security 

NCO

 National Coordination Office 

 Network-Centric Operations 

 Non-Commissioned Officer

NCOC NIEM Communications and Outreach 

Committee 

NCOIC Network Centric Operations Industry 

Consortium 

NCOMP Non-Compliance 

NCOW-RM Net-Centric Operations and Warfare Reference 

Model 

NCP

 National Contingency Plan 

 National Continuity Programs 

 National Oil and Hazardous Substances 

Pollution Contingency Plan (EPA)

NCPA National Cybersecurity Protection Act 

NCPC  National Capitol Planning Commission

 National Citizens Participation Council 

NCPI National Committee on Property Insurance

NCR  National Capital Region

 Natural and Cultural Resources 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

279 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NCR RSF Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery 

Support Function 

NCRC Office of National Capital Region Coordination 

NCRCG National Cyber Response Coordination Group

NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection and 

Measurements 

NCS

 National Communications System (DHS)

 Non-Critical Sensitive (security clearance 

designation)

 National Coordinating State (EMAC) 

NCSA National Cyber Security Alliance

NCSBN National Council of State Boards of Nursing 

NCSC National Cybersecurity Center

NCSD  National Communications System Directive

 National Cyber Security Division

NCSL National Council of State Legislators

NCSP  National Cyber Security Partnership 

 Recovery Coordination Specialist 

NCSRM National Communications Systems Regional 

Manager 

NCSSA National Cartographic Standards for Spatial 

Accuracy

NCSWIC National Council of Statewide Interoperability 

Coordinators 

NCTC National Counter-Terrorism Center (Office of the 

Director of National Intelligence)

NCUA National Credit Union Administration

NCVIP National Child Victim Identification Program

NCW Net-Centric Warfare 

ND Grant System 

Non-Disaster Grants Management System 

(FEMA’s non-disaster grants consolidated into 

one management lifecycle single system) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

280 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NDA

 National Defense Area (DOD)

 No Data Available 

 Non-Disclosure Agreement

NDAA  National Defense Authorization Act 

 Natural Disaster Assistance Act

NDAC Network Design and Analysis Center

NDC National Data Center

NDEA National Defense Emergency Authorization

NDEC National Disaster Education Coalition

NDEP National Digital Elevation Program

NDER National Defense Executive Reserve

N-DEx Law Enforcement National Data Exchange

NDFD National Digital Forecast Database

NDHS National Disaster Housing Strategy 

NDHTF National Disaster Housing Task Force

NDIA National Defense Industrial Association

NDIC National Drug Intelligence Center

NDMC National Drought Mitigation Center

NDMN National Donations Management Network

NDMOC National Disaster Medical Operations Center

NDMS National Disaster Medical System

NDMSOSC National Disaster Medical System Operations 

Support Center

NDPC National Domestic Preparedness Consortium

NDPO National Domestic Preparedness Office

NDPP NATO Defense Planning Process 

NDR Naming and Design Rules 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

281 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NDRF National Disaster Recovery Framework

NDRN National Disability Rights Network 

NDRPD National Disaster Recovery Program Database 

NDRS National Disaster Recovery Support 

NDRSMP

Obsolete: National Distress and Response 

System Modernization Project 

Replaced by: Rescue 21

NDS

 National Defense Stockpile 

 National Defense Strategy 

 Nuclear Detection System

NDSP National Dam Safety Program 

NDT National Decontamination Team

NDTA National Defense Transportation Association

NDU National Defense University

NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index 

NDW Naval District of Washington

NE

 Northeast

 New England

 Nuclear Engineer 

NEA Near-Earth Asteroid 

NEARS National Emergency and Alerting Response 

System

NEBS Network Equipment Building Standards 

NEC  National Earthquake Center

 National Electric Code

NECA Newport Chemical Activity

NECC

Obsolete: National Emergency Coordination 

Center

Replaced by: National Response Coordination 

Center (NRCC)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

282 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NECLC National Emergency Child Locator Center

NECN National Emergency Communications Network

NECP National Emergency Communications Plan 

(DHS)

NED

 National Elevation Dataset (United States

Geological Survey)

 National Exercise Division 

 Nuclear Explosive Device

NEDARC National EMSC Data Analysis Resource Center 

NEDCTP National Explosives Detection Canine Team 

Program

NEDSS National Electronic Disease Surveillance 

System

NEET National Exercise Evaluation Team

NEF National Essential Function

NEFRLS National Emergency Family Registry and 

Locator System

NEFSMA New England Floodplain and Stormwater 

Managers Association

NEG National Emergency Grant 

NEH National Endowment for the Humanities

NEHA National Environmental Health Association

NEHRP National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 

Program 

NEI Nuclear Energy Institute

NEIC  National Earthquake Information Center

 National Enforcement Investigations Center

NEIS National Earthquake Information Service

NELT National EMAC Liaison Team 

NEMA National Emergency Management Association
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

283 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NEMB-CAP National Emergency Management Baseline -

Capability Assessment Program

NEMG Network Manager 

NEMIS National Emergency Management Information 

System 

NEMSAC National Emergency Medical Services Advisory 

Council

NEMSES National Emergency Medical Services

Education Standards

NEMSIS National Emergency Medical Services

Information System

NEMSMA National Emergency Medical Services 

Management Association

NEMSPI National Emergency Medical Services 

Preparedness Initiative

NEMT National Emergency Management Team

NENA National Emergency Number Association

NEO  Near-Earth Object 

 Non-combatant Evacuation Operation

NEOB New Executive Office Building

NEOC National Emergency Operations Center

NEOCC Noncombatant Evacuation Operations 

Coordination Center (DOD) 

NEP National Exercise Program 

NEPA  National Environmental Policy Act

 National Environmental Protection Act

NEPPC National Emergency Prevention and 

Preparedness Council

NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation 

NERR National Emergency Resource Registry
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

284 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NERRTC

National Emergency Response and Rescue 

Training Center (Texas A&M Engineering 

Extension Service)

NERT National Emergency Response Team

NESC  National Exercise Simulation Center 

 National Electric Safety Code 

NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data and 

Information Service 

NESEC Northeast States Emergency Consortium

NESHAP National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air 

Pollutants 

NESN Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs 

NESP

National Environmental Studies Project

Network Specialist 

NESPM National EMS Scope of Practice Model

NEST National Emergency Support Team (DOE) 

NESWG National Earthquake Strategy Working Group

NET No Earlier Than

NETAC National Environmental Technology Application 

Center

NETAP National Earthquake Technical Assistance 

Program 

NETC National Emergency Training Center

NETEC National Ebola Training and Education Center 

NEXRAD Next Generation Weather Radar

NEXS National Exercise Schedule

NEXUS Next Generation Upper Weather System

NFA National Fire Academy

NFAAA National Fire Academy Alumni Association

NFAEB National Fire and Aviation Executive Board
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

285 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NFAR No Further Action Required

NFC  National Finance Center

 National Fire Codes 

NFCA National Fusion Center Association 

NFCD National Finance Center Database

NFDA  National Flood Determination Association

 National Funeral Directors Association

NFDC National Fire Data Center

NFDRS National Fire Danger Rating System (DOI) 

NFES National Fire Equipment System

NFFE National Federation of Federal Employees

NFFF National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

NFFS Northeast Forest Fire Supervisors

NFHL National Flood Hazard Layer

NFI  National Flood Insurance

 Non-Food Item(s) 

NFIB National Foreign Intelligence Board

NFIC National Fire Information Council

NFIF National Flood Insurance Fund

NFIP  National Flood Insurance Program 

 National Foreign Intelligence Program

NFIRA National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994

NFIRS National Fire Incident Reporting System

NFMA National Forest Management Act

NFOP National Fugitive Operations Program

NFP  National Fire Plan 

 Not For Profit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

286 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NFPA  National Fire Protection Association 

 National Flight Paramedic Association

NFPCA National Fire Prevention and Control 

Administration

NFPE National Fire Protection Equipment

NFR  National Field Response (ASPCA)

 Notice of Finding and Recommendation

NFS  Nuclear Facility Safety 

 United States National Forest Service 

NFSA National Fire Sprinkler Association

NFSC Narcotics Financing Strategy Center

NFSCC National Fire Science Curriculum Committee

NFSLO National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer

NFTS National File Tracking System (DHS)

NG National Guard

NG 9-1-1, NG9-1-1, NG911 Next-Generation 9-1-1 

NGA  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

 National Governors Association

NGB  National Governing Body

 National Guard Bureau

NGDC National Geophysical Data Center

NGI Next-Generation Identification (FBI)

NGIC National Ground Intelligence Center (United 

States Army)

NGLO National Guard Liaison Officer

NGM Nested Grid Model

NGN Next-Generation Network

NGO Non-Government Organization

NGPO National Geospatial Program Office
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

287 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NGRF National Guard Response Force 

NGRS National Geodetic Reference System

NGS National Geodetic Survey

NGTOC National Geospatial Technical Operations 

Center 

NGVD National Geodetic Vertical Datum

NGVD29 National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

NGWT Next Generation Warning Tool

NH National Hose Thread 

NHC National Hurricane Center

NHD National Hydrography Dataset (United States 

Geological Survey) 

NHO Native-Hawaiian Organization 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NHPI Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

NHPP National Healthcare Preparedness and 

Response Program (HHS)

NHS National Health Service (UK) 

NHSC National Homeland Security Consortium 

NHSN National Healthcare Safety Network 

NHSPI National Health Security Preparedness Index 

(HHS) 

NHSRC National Homeland Security Research Center 

NHSS National Health Security Strategy 

NHSSS, NH3S National Homeland Security Support System

NHSU National Homeland Security University

NHTSA National Highway Transportation Safety 

Administration

NHV Natural Hazard Vulnerability
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

288 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NI No Insurance

NIAAA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and 

Alcoholism

NIAID National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 

Diseases (National Institutes of Health) 

NIAC  National Infrastructure Advisory Council

 National Interagency Aviation Council 

NIB National Industries for the Blind

NIBC National Interagency Biodefense Campus

NIBRS National Incident Based Reporting System

NIBS National Institute of Building Sciences

NIC 

 National Integration Center 

 National Intelligence Council

 Obsolete: NIMS Integration Center

Replaced by: the National Integration Center 

NICACS National Incident Control and Action 

Communication System

NICC

 National Infrastructure Coordination Center 

(CISA) 

 National Interagency Coordination Center 

(National Interagency Fire Center)

NICCL National Incident Communications Conference 

Line 

NICCP National Interdiction Command and Control 

Plan

NICE National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education 

NICI National Interagency Counterdrug Institute

NICP Nuclear Incident Contingency Plan 

NICRAT National Incident Command Resource 

Allocation Tool

NICS  National Instant Background Check System

 Next-Generation Incident Command System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

289 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NIC/SAO National Incident Command/Senior Agency 

Official 

NICU Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit 

NID  National Intelligence Director

 National Inventory of Dams

NIDF National Insurance Development Fund

NIDRR National Institute on Disability and 

Rehabilitation Research 

NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health 

Services

NIEM National Information Exchange Model

NIEOC National Interagency Emergency Operations 

Center

NIER National Industrial Equipment Reserve

NIF Network Centric Operations Industry 

Consortium (NCOIC) Interoperability Framework

NIFC National Interagency Fire Center

NIFCC National Interagency Fire Coordination Center

NIFMID National Interagency Fire Management 

Integrated Database 

NIFOG National Interoperability Field Operations Guide 

(DHS) 

NIFTI Naval Infrared Thermal Imager 

NIH National Institutes of Health (HHS)

NIHS National Institute for Hometown Security

NII  National Information Infrastructure

 Non-Intrusive Inspection

NII/GII National Information Infrastructure/Global 

Information Infrastructure

NIICD National Interagency Incident Communications 

Division 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

290 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NIIPA National Information Infrastructure Protection 

Act of 1996 

NIM-CT National Intelligence Manager for 

Counterterrorism 

NIIMS National Interagency Incident Management 

System

NIIS Non-Immigrant Information System

NII National Information Infrastructure 

NIJ National Institute of Justice (DOJ) 

NLETS National Law Enforcement Telecommunication 

System 

NIMA National Imagery and Mapping Agency

N-IMAT National Incident Management Assistance 

Team

NIMG National Interagency Mobilization Guide

NIMH National Institute of Mental Health

NIMO National Incident Management Organization

NIMS National Incident Management System

NIMS SC NIMS Support Center

NIMS STEP NIMS Supporting Technology Evaluation 

Program

NIMS/NET National Incident Management System Network

NIMSCAST Obsolete: National Incident Management 

System Compliance Assistance Support Tool 

NiOS Network Inventory and Optimization Solution

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (CDC)

NIP  National Immunization Program

 National Intelligence Program

NIPC National Infrastructure Protection Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

291 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NIPF National Intelligence Priority Framework

NIPP National Infrastructure Protection Plan (DHS)

NIPRNet, NIPRNET

 Non-classified Internet Protocol Router 

Network 

 Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Network 

NIPS Numerically Integrated Profiling System

NIR Non-Ionizing Radiation

NIRSC National Interagency Radio Support Cache

NIRT Nuclear Incident Response Team

NIS 

 National Immunization Survey (CDC) 

 Navigation Information Service (DOT) 

 Nonproliferation and International Security 

Division (DOE) 

NISAC National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis 

Center

NISE National Intelligence Support Element

NISM National Incident Support Manual 

NISP National Industrial Security Program

NISPOM National Industrial Security Program Operating 

Manual

NISS National Information Sharing Standards 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NITRD Networking and Information Technology 

Research and Development 

NITTF National Insider Threat Task Force

NIUSR National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue

NIVS Non-immigrant Visa System

NJIC National Joint Information Center

NJOIC National Joint Operations and Intelligence 

Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

292 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NJTTF National Joint Terrorism Task Force

NLC

 National League of Cities

 National Logistics Coordinator 

 Nurse Licensure Compact

NLD National Levee Database (USACE) 

NLDN National Lightning Detection Network 

NLE National-Level Exercise (also referred to as 

National-Level Capstone Exercises) 

NLECC National Law Enforcement Coordination Center

NLETS, Nlets National Law Enforcement Telecommunications 

System

NLM National Library of Medicine 

NLRA National Labor Relations Authority

NLRB National Labor Relations Board

NLS National Language Standards

NLSA National Logistics Staging Area 

NLT

 National Leadership Team

 NATO Liaison Team

 Navy Liaison Team

 No Later Than 

 Not Later Than

 Non-Life Threatening

NLW Nonlethal Weapons 

NLZ No Lone Zone

NM  Nautical Mile (1 Nautical Mile = 6,080 feet)

 Nuclear Materials 

NMAB National Materials Advisory Board

NMAC National Multi-Agency Coordination Group 

NMAS National Map Accuracy Standard
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

293 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NMB National Mediation Board

NMC  National Meteorological Center

 Non-Mission Capable

NMCC

 National Mass Care Council 

 National Master Control Cell (National 

Exercise Simulation Center-FEMA)

 National Military Command Center (DOD)

NMCS National Mass Care Strategy 

NMD National Mapping Division (United States 

Geological Survey) 

NMETS National Mass Evacuation Tracking System

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NMI No Middle Initial

NMIC National Maritime Intelligence Center

NMJIC National Military Joint Intelligence Center

NMMA National Marine Manufacturers Association 

NMOC Naval Meteorology and Oceanography 

Command 

NMRI Naval Medical Research Institute

NMRS National Medical Response System

NMRT National Medical Response Team

NMSAC National Maritime Security Advisory Committee

NMSP  National Maritime Security Plan

 Recovery Mission Support Specialist 

NMSRA National Maritime Strategic Risk Assessment

NMSS Nuclear Materials Safeguards and Security

NMSZ New Madrid Seismic Zone 

NMT New Mexico Tech (National Domestic 

Preparedness Consortium)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

294 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NMTSP National Marine Transportation Security Plan

NMVTIS National Motor Vehicle Title Information System 

NNALEA National Native American Law Enforcement 

Association

NNEC National Network Emergency Center

NNFC National Network of Fusion Centers 

NNO National Night Out

NNOB National Network Operations Branch

NNOC National Network Operations Center

NNRT National Nurses Response Team

NNSA National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE)

NNSS Nevada National Security Site 

NO  National Office

 Nitrogen Oxide (air pollution/acid rain EPA) 

No FEAR Act Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002

No. Number 

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide 

NoA Notice of Award 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

NOAEL No Observed Adverse Effects Level

NOBLE National Organization of Black Law 

Enforcement Executives

NOC 

 National Ocean Council 

 National Olympic Committee

 National Operations Center (DHS) 

 Navy Operations Center

 Network Operations Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

295 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NOC-HQE National Operations Center - Headquarters 

Element

NOE Notice of Eligibility 

NOEL No Observed Effects Level

NOFA Notice of Funds Availability

NOFD New Orleans Fire Department

NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity 

NOGA Notice of Grant Award

NOI  Notice of Intent

 Notice of Interest

NOID Notice of Intent to Deny

NOIRA Notice of Intended Regulatory Action 

NOK Next of Kin

NONREF Non-Referral 

NONREG Non-Registration 

NOPD New Orleans Police Department 

NOPR Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

NOR Notice of Revision 

NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command

NORM Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

NORTHCOM United States Northern Command

NOS  National Ocean Survey

 Not Otherwise Specified

NOSAC National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee

NOSORH National Organization of State Offices of Rural 

Health 

NOTAM Notice to Airmen

NOUE Notice of Unusual Event
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

296 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NOV Notice of Violation 

November Phonetic Alphabet for N 

NP

 National Park 

 Nurse Practitioner 

 Navigation Processor

 Obsolete: National Preparedness 

Replaced by: National Preparedness System

(NPS)

N/P Not Provided

NPAD National Preparedness Assessment Division 

NPC  National Paralympic Committee

 National Petroleum Council

NPD National Preparedness Directorate 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 

System

NPDL Notice of Potential Debt Letter

NPDN National Plant Diagnostic Network 

NPDP National Performance of Dams Program

NPES National Planning and Execution System

NPF National Planning Frameworks 

NPG, NPGs

 National Preparedness Guidelines

 National Preparedness Goals (includes the 

32 Core Capabilities listed in the Addendum 

section) 

NPIs Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions 

NPL National Priorities List

NPLA National Preparedness Leadership Academy

NPLNS National Plans 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

297 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NPM National Preparedness Month 

NPMA National Property Management Association

NPMOC Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography 

Center

NPOC Next Port of Call 

NPOESS National Polar-Orbiting Operational 

Environmental Satellite System

NPP Nuclear Power Plant

NPPC National Preparedness and Prevention Council

NPPD National Protection and Programs Directorate 

(DHS)

NPR

 National Preparedness Report 

 National Public Radio 

 Nationwide Plan Review 

 Nuclear Posture Review 

NPRA National Petrochemical and Refiners 

Association

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

NPRT National Pharmacist Response Team

NPS

 National Park Service

 National Planning Scenarios

 National Preparedness System

 Naval Postgraduate School

NPSBN Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network 

NPSC National Processing Service Center

NPSH National Pipe Straight Hose 

NPSM National Pipe Straight Mechanical Thread 

NPSP National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program

NPSPAC National Public Safety Planning Advisory 

Committee 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

298 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NPSTC National Public Safety Telecommunications 

Council

NPT

 National Periodic Test (emergency alert 

system) 

 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty 

NPTF

 National Preparedness Task Force 

 Network Planning Task Force 

 No Plan To Fix 

NQS National Qualifications System 

NR

 Naval Reserve 

 Navigational Radar 

 No Response 

 Normal Range 

 Nuclear Reactor 

NR KPP Net-Ready Key Performance Parameter (IT 

Information Exchange) 

NRAT  National Radiological Advisory Team

 Nuclear Radiological Advisory Team

NRB Nonrebreather Mask 

NRC

 National Records Center

 National Research Council

 National Response Center

 United States Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission

NRCC

 National Registry in Clinical Chemistry 

 National Response Coordination Center 

 Northern Regional Coordination Center

 Northern Rockies Coordination Center 

NRCOC

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations 

Center (United States Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission)

NRCS National Response Coordination Staff 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

299 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NRCSDC Natural Resources Conservation Service District 

Conservationist

NRCSSC Natural Resources Conservation Service State 

Conservationist

NRDA National Resource Damage Assessment and 

Restoration

NRECA National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory (DOE) 

NREMT National Registry of Emergency Medical 

Technicians 

NRF National Response Framework (supersedes the 

former National Response Plan) FEMA

NRF-CIA National Response Framework-Catastrophic 

Incident Annex 

NRF-CIS National Response Framework-Catastrophic 

Incident Supplement 

NRHA National Rural Health Association 

NRHP National Register of Historic Places (NPS)

NRI  National Risk Index 

 Nuclear/Radiological Incident 

NRIA Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex 

NRIMC National Resources Information and Mapping 

Center

NRIPP Nuclear/Radiological Incident Prevention 

Program

NRIS National Resource Information System

NRITF Nuclear/Radiological Incident Task Force 

NRL National Resource Lands 

NRO National Reconnaissance Office

NROC NRO Operations Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

300 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NRP

Obsolete: National Response Plan

Replaced by: National Response Framework 

(NRF)

NRPC  National Railway Passenger Commission

 National Resource Prioritization Cell

NRP-CIS National Response Plan Catastrophic Incident 

Supplement

NRR Noise Reduction Rating

NRS National Response System

NRT  National Response Team (ATF)

 Near Real-Time

NRWA National Rural Water Association

NS National Strategic (Task)

NS/EP National Security and Emergency Preparedness

NS/EPC Committee for National Security and Emergency 

Preparedness Communications

NSA

 National Security Agency

 National Security Area

 National Sheriff’s Association

 Network Security Agreement

NSABB National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity

NSAC Navigation Safety Advisory Council

NSA/CSS National Security Agency/Central Security 

Service 

NSAT Network Service Acceptance Test

NSAIDs Aspirin and Other Non-steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs 

NSBC National Safe Boating Council
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

301 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NSC

 National Safety Council

 National Security Council (United Nations)

 National Security Cutter (USCG) 

 National Standard Curriculum (National 

Highway Transportation Safety 

Administration Office of EMS) 

NSD  Named Storm Day

 National Security Directive

NSDD National Security Decision Directive

NSDI National Spatial Data Infrastructure

NSEC  National Security Emergency Coordination

 National Standard Exercise Curriculum 

NSEERS National Security Entry Exit Registration System

NSEPT National Security and Emergency Preparedness 

Telecommunications

NSF

 National Safety Foundation 

 National Science Foundation

 National Strike Force

NSFCC National Strike Force Coordination Center

NSGIC National States Geographic Information Council

NSGP Non-Profit Security Grant Program

NSHS National Strategy for Homeland Security

NSI

 National Security Information

 Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting 

(SAR) Initiative 

 Nuclear Surety Inspection

NSISS

National Strategy for Information Sharing and 

Safeguarding (recording of damaging 

earthquakes) 

NSLRSDA National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data 

Archive
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

302 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NSN  National Security Notifications

 National Stock Number

NSO Nuclear Safety Officer 

NSP National Support Plan 

NSPD National Security Presidential Directive

NSPE National Society of Professional Engineers

NSPM National Security Presidential Memorandum 

NSPS National Security Personnel System

NSRS National Spatial Reference System

NSRV National Security and Records Verification 

(USCIS)

NSS

 National Security Strategy

 National Shelter System

 National Security Staff 

NSSA National Safe Skies Alliance

NSSDA National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy

NSSE National Special Security Event (designated by 

the Secretary of DHS)

NSSFC National Severe Storms Forecast Center

NSSL National Severe Storms Laboratory

NST  National Security Threat 

 National Training Standard 

NSTAC National Security Telecommunications Advisory 

Committee/Council

NSTC National Science and Technology Council

NSTIC National Strategy for Trusted Identities in 

Cyberspace 

NSTISS National Security Telecommunications and 

Information Systems Security 

NSTR Nothing Significant to Report
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

303 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NT

 Net Tons 

 Net Tonnage 

 Network Technology

 Non-Transferable 

NTAA National Tribal Affairs Advisor 

NTAC

 National Threat Assessment Center

 National Information Exchange Model

(NIEM) Technical Architecture Committee

NTAP NIEM Tools Advisory Panel

NTARA National Tribal Amateur Radio Association 

NTAS National Terrorism Advisory System (DHS) 

(includes bulletin and alert advisories) 

NTC-MW National Teleregistration Center at Mount 

Weather 

NTE Not to Exceed

NTED National Training and Exercise Division

NTEMC National Tribal Emergency Management Council 

NTES National Training and Education System 

NTEU National Treasury Employees Union

NTFI National Task Force on Interoperability

NTIA National Telecommunications and Information 

Administration

NTIMC National Traffic Incident Management Coalition 

NTIS National Technical Information Service

NTM National Technical Means (monitoring 

verification techniques)

NTMR National Technical Means of Reconnaissance

NTMS National Telecommunications Management 

Structure

NTNFC National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

304 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NTOA National Tactical Officers Association 

NTR  Non-Tide Residuals 

 Nothing to Report

N-TRAP National Terrorism Response Awareness 

Program

NTRO National Terrorism Response Objective

NTS National Traffic System (amateur radio 

operators)

NTSB National Transportation Safety Board

NTSC National Telecommunications Standards 

Committee

NTSP

 National Plan for Telecommunications 

Support in Non-Wartime Emergencies 

 National Telecommunications Support Plan

 National Transportation Safety Board 

NTSRA National Transportation Sector Risk 

Assessment

NTU

Nephelometric Turbidity Units (EPA) (air quality 

measurement for pollution monitoring, climate 

monitoring) 

NTVRP Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan

NU Name Unknown

NUCFLASH Accidental, Unauthorized, or Unexplained 

Nuclear Detonation

NUDET Nuclear Detonation

NUEVAC Nuclear Evacuation Analysis Code 

NUG National Unified Goal (traffic incident 

management) 

NUL National Urban League

NUMARC Nuclear Management and Resources Council

NUO National Utilization Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

305 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NUREG Nuclear Regulation

NUSRS National Urban Search and Rescue System, 

Advisory Committee of the

NUWAX Nuclear Weapon Exercise

NUWC Naval Undersea Warfare Center

NVAC

 National Vaccine Advisory Committee (HHS) 

 National Visualization and Analytics Center 

(DHS)

NVD Night Vision Device 

NVDC National Vessel Documentation Center

NVFC National Volunteer Fire Council

NVG Night Vision Goggles

NVIC Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular

NVL Night Vision Laboratory

NVLAP National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 

Program

NVMC National Vessel Movement Center

NVOAD National Voluntary Organizations Active in 

Disasters

NVTSA Night Vision Technology Safety Act

NVUE New, Validated, or Updated Engineering 

NW Neighborhood Watch

NWARSG Nuclear Weapons Accident Response Steering 

Group

NWC

 National Warning Center (National Weather 

Service)

 National Watch Center 

NWCC

 National Water and Climate Center (USDA) 

 Northwestern Coordination Center (wildland 

fire management and suppression) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

306 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWIS National Water Information System (United 

States Geological Survey ) 

NWP Neighborhood Watch Program

NWR National Weather Radio (also known as NOAA 

Weather Radio All-hazards)

NWRTC Northwest Regional Technology Center 

NWS National Weather Service (National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration)

NWSC National Water Safety Congress 

NWSFO National Weather Service Forecast Office

NWTEMC Northwest Tribal Emergency Management 

NWWS National Weather Wire Service

NYCC New York Panel on Climate Change 

NYCDEP New York City Department of Environmental 

Protection 

NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and 

Development Authority 

O: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

O/S On-Scene 

O3 Ozone 

OA 

 Office Automation 

 Office of the Administrator 

 Over and Above

OAA Older Americans Act

OAD Operations Analysis Division (DHS S&T)

OADR Originating Agency Determination Required
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

307 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OAFME Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner

OAG Office of Attorney General 

OAGIS Open Application Group Integration 

Specification 

OAM Office of Acquisition Management

OAN Over the Air Networking

OAO Office of Aviation Operations

OAR  Office of Air and Radiation

 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

OAS

 Office of Administrative Support

 Office of Aircraft Services

 Organization of American States

OASD Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense

OASH/OEP Office of the Assistant Secretary for 

Health/Office of Emergency Preparedness

OASIS Organization for the Advancement of Structured 

Information Standards

OAST Office of Accessible Systems and Technology

OAWG Organizational Attack Working Group

OB Official Business

OBE Overcome or Overtaken by Events

OBIM Office of Biometric Identity Management (DHS) 

OBP Office of Border Patrol (CBP)

OBS Observation

OC 

 On Call 

 Operations Center

 Organized Crew 

O.C. On Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

308 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

O/C Observer/Controller

OCA  Office of Congressional Affairs

 Original Classification Authority

OCAO Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

OCB Operations Centers Branch

OCC

 Occupancy 

 Office of the Chief Counsel

 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

 Operations Coordination Center 

OCC VRFN Occupancy Verification

OCD Office of Community Development

OCDETF Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

OCDI Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of 

Japan 

OCFO Office of the Chief Financial Officer

OCFOAS Office of Chief Financial Officers and 

Administrative Services

OCGFC Office of Cerro Grande Fire Claims

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 

Affairs (United Nations) 

OCHAMPUS Office of Civilian Health and Medical Program of 

the Uniformed Services

OCHCO Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer

OCIA Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis 

OCIO Office of the Chief Information Officer

OCIPEP Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and 

Emergency Preparedness

OCJCS Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 

Staff 

OCKO Office of the Chief Knowledge Officer 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

309 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OCLA Office of Congressional Liaison and Affairs

OCLUS Outside the Continental Limits of the United 

States

OCN Optimal Climate Normals

OCO Overseas Contingency Operations 

OCOG Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games

OCONUS Outside the Continental United States

OCPM Office of Crisis Planning and Management

OCPO Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

OCR

 Office for Civil Rights 

 Operational Capability Requirement

 Optical Character Reader

 Optical Character Recognition

OCRWM Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste 

Management (DOE) 

OCS

 Office of Cyber Security 

 Officer Candidate School

 Operational Contract Support 

 Outer Continental Shelf

OCSO Office of the Chief Security Officer 

OCSP

 Office of Counterterrorism and Security 

Preparedness 

 Online Certificate Status Protocol

OCTAVE Operationally Critical Threat, Asset and 

Vulnerability Evaluation

OCTEL Operations Center Telephone

OCZM Office of Coastal Zone Management

OD  Operational Discipline 

 Outside Diameter 

ODAM Offsite Dose Assessment Manual
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

310 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ODBC Open Database Connectivity

ODC Other Direct Cost

ODEP Office of Disability Employment Policy 

ODIC Office of Disability Integration and Coordination 

ODIS Offshore Detection Integrated System

ODM Outside Diameter of the Male Pipe Threads 

ODNI Office of the Director of National Intelligence

ODP Office for Domestic Preparedness

ODPHP Office of Disease Prevention and Health 

Promotion (HHS) 

ODRO Office of Detention and Removal Operations

ODS 

 Official Duty Station 

 Operation Desert Safeguard

 Operational Data Storage 

OE 

 Operational Environment

 Operating Expenses

 Organizational Elements

OEA  Office of Economic Adjustment 

 Office of External Affairs 

OEC Office of Emergency Communications 

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and 

Development

OEG Operational Exposure Guidance (radiation 

exposure control) 

OEM  Office of Emergency Management

 Original Equipment Manufacturer

OEMC Office of Emergency Management and 

Communications

OEMP Office of Emergency Medical Preparedness

OEMS Office of Emergency Medical Services 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

311 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OEP

 Occupant Emergency Plan

 Occupant Emergency Program

 Office of Emergency Preparedness (United 

States Department of the Treasury) 

OEP Office of Ecosystem Protection (EPA) 

OER  Office of Emergency Response

 Office of Equal Rights

OES Office of Emergency Services

OET  Occupant Emergency Team 

 Office of Emergency Transportation (DOT) 

OEWG Organizational Effectiveness Working Group 

(DHS) 

OF 

 Office of Finance

 Over-water Fetch (unobstructed distance of 

wind travelling over open water)

OFA  Office of Family Assistance

 Other Federal Agency 

OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control

OFCR Optical and Fiber Communications Reports 

OFDA Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (United 

States Agency for International Development)

OFF Offshore Forecast

OFM Office of Financial Management

OFMA Oklahoma Floodplain Management Association

OFO Office of Field Operations (CBP)

OFP Office of Field Programs

OFRD Office of Force Readiness and Deployment 

(United States Public Health Service) 

OFSEP Office of Food Security and Emergency 

Preparedness

OGA Other Government Agency 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

312 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OGAT Official Government Acceptance Test

OGC  Office of the General Counsel

 Open Geospatial Consortium 

OGE  Office of Government Ethics

 Other than Government Employees

OGO Office of Grant Operations

OGSA Open Grid Services Architecture

OH  Occupational Health

 Overhead

OHA Office of Health Affairs (DHS)

OHCHR Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human 

Rights 

OHDACA Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid 

(DOD) 

OHDM Office of Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster 

Relief and Mine Action (DOD) 

OHMD Optical Head Mounted Display 

OHMS Oil and Hazardous Materials Specialist 

OHR Office of Human Resources

OHRM Office of Human Resources Management

OHRP Office for Human Research Protections

OHS Obsolete: Office of Homeland Security

OHSEPR Office of Human Services Emergency 

Preparedness and Response (HHS) 

OHUL Oil and Hazardous Materials Unit Leader 

OI  Occurrence Index 

 Office of Investigations

OIA Office of International Affairs

OIC  Office for Interoperability and Compatibility

 Officer in Charge
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

313 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OIE Office of International Enforcement

OIG Office of Inspector General

OIM  Office of Incident Management

 Office of Information Management 

OIRA Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

OIS Office of Immigration Statistics

OIT Office of Information Technology

OIWG Operational Intelligence Working Group

OJCS Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

OJP Office of Justice Programs (DOJ) 

OJT On the Job Training

OKC Oklahoma City

OLA Office of Legislative Affairs

OLAP On-Line Analytical Processing

OLAW Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare

OLC Office of Legal Counsel

OLE  Object Linking and Embedding

 Office of Law Enforcement

OLE/FAMS

Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 

Service (Transportation Security Administration 

[TSA]) 

OLES

 Obsolete: Office of Law Enforcement 

Standards

Replaced by: Law Enforcement Standards 

Office (NIST/LESO)

 Obsolete: Law Enforcement Standards 

Office 

Replaced by: Special Programs Office 

(NIST/SPO) 

OLR Outgoing Longwave Radiation 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

314 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OLS

Obsolete: Operation Life Safety

Replaced by: Residential Fire Safety Institute 

(RFSI)

OLTP On-Line Transaction Processing

O&M Operations and Maintenance

OMA Operations, Management and Administration

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

OMC Operations and Maintenance Center 

OMD Operational Medical Director 

OMG Object Management Group 

OMH Office of Minority Health 

OMNCS Office of the Manager, National 

Communications System

OMS Operations Management Systems

OMTPE Office of Mission to Planet Earth (Earth ScienceNASA)

ONA Other Needs Assistance (IHP)

ONC Office of the National Coordinator for Health 

Information Technology (HHS)

ONCL Other Needs Assistance Crew Leader

ONCRC Office of National Capital Region Coordination

ONDCP Office of National Drug Control Policy

ONEX ONA Specialist Expert 

ONRA Office of National Risk Assessment

O number Order Number

OO Operation/Operational Order 

OOC Office of Operations Coordination 

OoC Office of Citizenship (USCIS) 

OOW Officer of the Watch
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

315 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OP  Operational Period 

 Organizational Partners 

OPA

 Office of Public Affairs

 Oil Pollution Act

 Otherwise Protected Area

OPAC On-Line Payments and Collection

OPAs Otherwise Protected Areas (CBRS) 

OPBD Operations Branch Director

OPC

 Organizational Program Coordinators

 Office of Operations Coordination

 Ocean Prediction Center

OPCOM Operational Command

OPCON Operational Control

OPD Office of Policy Development

OPDAT Overseas Prosecutorial Development, 

Assistance and Training

OPDIV Operating Division 

OPEN Open Platform for Emergency Networks 

(Integrated Public Alert and Warnings System)

O-PERIOD Operational Period

OPF Official Personnel Folder

OPG Order Processing Group 

OPGS Order Processing Group Supervisor 

OPHEMC Office of Public Health Emergency Medical 

Countermeasures (HHS) 

OPHEP Office of Public Health Emergency 

Preparedness (HHS)

OPHPR Office of Public Health Preparedness and 

Response (CDC) 

OPHS Office of Public Health and Science
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

316 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OPIC Office of Preparedness and Integration 

OPIM Other Potentially Infectious Materials 

OPLAN Operations Plan

OPM Office of Personnel Management

OPO Operation Order 

OPORD Operations Order (DOD)

OPORDER Operation Order 

OPPA Office of Policy and Program Analysis 

OPPRED Operation Predator 

OPPT Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (EPA) 

OPR

 Office of Primary Responsibility

 Office of Professional Responsibility 

 Office of Protective Research (United States

Secret Service [USSS]) 

OPREP Operational Report

OPS

 Office of Operations Coordination and 

Planning (DHS)

 Office of Pipeline Safety

 Operational Planning System

 Operations

 Operations Section 

OPSEC Operational/Operations Security

OPSG Operation Stonegarden 

OPSP Operations Specialist 

OPSUM Operations Summary

OPT Operations and Planning Team

OPTEMPO Operational Tempo 

OPTL Operations Task Force Leader 

OPUS Olympic Properties of the United States
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

317 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OPVAL Operational Validation Program

OPW Operational Planning Worksheet

OR Operating Room 

OR&R Office of Regulations and Rulings

ORA

 Office of Readiness and Assessment 

 Office of Regional Affairs 

 Operational Risk Assessment 

ORCA Operational Readiness Capability Assessment

ORD

 Office of Research and Development (EPA)

 Office of the Regional Director 

 Operational Requirements Document

ORDL Ordering Unit Leader 

ORDM Ordering Manager

OREMS Oak Ridge Evacuation Modeling System

ORIA Office of Radiation and Indoor Air

ORISE Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

ORM  Operation Risk Management 

 Other Regulated Materials

ORMG Ordering Manager 

ORNL Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

ORO  Off-site Response Organization

 Office of Regional Operations 

ORPA Orthophoto Analyst 

ORR

 Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS)

 Office of Response and Recovery 

 Operational Readiness Review 

ORS

 Oral Rehydration Salts 

 Outside Residual Spraying (mosquito control 

spraying) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

318 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ORSITREP Operational Readiness Situation Report 

ORSP Ordering Specialist 

ORT

 Operational Readiness Training 

 Oral Rehydration Therapy (to address 

dehydration especially of infants and 

children) 

ORV Off-road Vehicle 

OS  Operating System

 Operations Support

O/S On-Scene 

OSC  On-Scene Commander 

 Operations Section Chief

OS&Y Outside Stem and Yoke

OSA  Open System Architecture 

 Operational Staging Area

OSAI Office of SAFETY Act Implementation

OSARP On-Screen Alarm Resolution Protocol

OSB Oriented-Strand Board 

OSC

 Office of Special Counsel

 On-Scene Commander or Coordinator

 Operation Safe Commerce

 Operational Support Center

 Operations Section Chief 

 Operations Support Center

 Operations Systems Center

OSC1, OSC2, OSC3 Operations Section Chief Type 1, Type 2 and 

Type 3 

Oscar Phonetic Alphabet for O 

OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in 

Europe 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

319 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OSD

 Office of the Secretary of Defense

 Operational System Description 

 Operational Systems Document

 Operations Support Division

OSDBU Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 

Utilization 

OSD-HD Office of the Secretary of Defense for Homeland 

Defense

OSEP

 Occupational Safety and Environmental 

Programs (DHS)

 Office of Safety and Environmental Programs

OSERS Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 

Services 

OSG Operational Support Group 

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

OSHE Occupational Safety, Health and Environment

OSI

 Occupational Stress Indicator 

 Office of Special Investigations 

 Open-Source Information or Intelligence 

 Open Systems Interconnect or 

Interconnection

OSIH Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene

OSINT Open-Source Intelligence

OSL Office of Space Launch (NRO) 

OSLGC&P Office of State and Local Government 

Coordination and Preparedness

OSLLE Office for State and Local Law Enforcement 

(DHS) 

OSLTF Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund

OSM Office of Surface Mining

OSO Office of Security Operations (TSA)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

320 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OSOCC 

On-Site Operations Coordination Center 

(coordinating international relief in the affected 

country)

OSP Office of Office of Strategic Plans 

OSPF Open Shortest Path First

OSPIE Office of Security Policy and Industry 

Engagement 

OSRP Oil Spill Response Plan 

OSS Officer Safety and Survival Training Program

OSSPAC Oregon Seismic Safety Public Advisory 

Commission 

OST

 Office of the Secretary for Transportation

 Operation Support Team

 Other Storms 

OSTC On-Scene Tactical Commander

OSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy

OSU Operational Support Unit

OSW Office of Solid Waste (EPA) 

OT 

 On Target 

 Other Transaction

 Overtime 

OTAN Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantlique Nord 

(NATO)

OTAR Over the Air Rekeying

OTBE Over-Taken By Events

OTC Over-the-Counter 

OTD  Office of Training and Development

 Open Technology Development 

OTE Operational Test and Evaluation

OTH Over the Horizon
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

321 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

OTI Office of Transition Initiatives 

OTR Office of Trade Relations

OTRS Official Time Reporting System

OTS Office of Thrift Supervision

OTSP Office of Transportation Security Policy

OTVP Office of Transportation Vetting and 

Credentialing

OU Organizational Unit

OUI Operating Under the Influence 

OUS Office of the Undersecretary

OUSD (C) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense 

(Comptroller) 

OVC Office for Victims of Crime

OVI Office of Volunteerism Initiatives

OVP  Office of the Vice President

 Overvoltage Protection (electrical circuit) 

OWCP Office of Worker's Compensation Program 

OWL Web Ontology Language 

OWMD Office of Weapons of Mass Destruction

OWS  Officer Water Survival 

 Official Work Site 

OY Operating Year 

P: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

P25

Project 25 (suite standards for the design and 

manufacture of interoperable digital two-way 

wireless communications products) (see APCO) 

P2P Peer-to-Peer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

322 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

P34

Project 34 (wideband aeronautical and 

terrestrial mobile digital radio technology 

standards for the transmission of wireless data) 

(see APCO) 

PA

 Personnel Accountability 

 Physician Assistant

 Principal Advisor

 Programmatic Agreement

 Public Address (system)

 Public Affairs

 Public Announcement

 Public Assistance 

P&A  Planning and Assessment

 Price and Availability

PA05 Purchasing Agent, $5K

PA10 Purchasing Agent, $10K

PA25 Purchasing Agent, $25K

PA50 Purchasing Agent, $50K

PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange

PAC

 Political Action Committee

 Primary Agency Committee

 Public Assistance Coordinator

PACC Patient Airlift Control Center

PACE Promote Accuracy, Consistency and Efficiency 

PA C-G Public Assistance Categories C-G 

PACL Public Assistance Crew Leader 

PACOM United States Pacific Command

PAD  Protective Action Decision

 Public Affairs Director

PADC Patch Authentication and Dissemination 

Capability
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

323 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PADRE Protective Action Dosage Reduction Estimator

PA&E Program Analysis and Evaluation

PAECE Protective Action Evaluator for Chemical 

Emergencies

PAES Private Aircraft Enforcement System

PAEX Public Assistance Technical Specialist 

PAFR Primary Authority for Federal Response 

PAGS Public Assistance Group Supervisor 

PAGs Protective Action Guidelines

PAH Poly-nuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

PAHO Pan-American Health Organization

PAHPA Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act

PAHPRA Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness 

Reauthorization Act of 2013 

PAL

 Project Activity Level 

 Provisionally Accredited Levee 

 Public Affairs Level

PALS  Pediatric Advanced Life Support 

 Portable Automated Lookout System

PAMR Public Access Mobile Radio 

PAN  Pandemic

 Personal Area Network 

PA-NST Public Affairs - National Support Team

PANYNJ Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

PAO

 Pacific Area Office

 Public Affairs Office

 Public Affairs Officer

 Public Affairs Official

 Public Assistance Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

324 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PAP Project Application Processor

Papa Phonetic Alphabet for P 

PAPD Port Authority Police Department 

PAPPG Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures 

Guide (National Science Foundation) 

PAPOs Preparedness Analysis and Planning Officers

PAPR Powered Air Purifying Respirator

PAPRS Phone Activated Paperless Request System

PA-PRT Public Affairs - Planning Response Team

PAR

 Performance and Accountability Report

 Personal Accountability Record

 Personnel Accountability Record or Reports

 Population at Risk 

 Protective Action Recommendation 

 Public Administration Review

PARADE Prevention, Advocacy, Resources and Data 

Exchange

PARDOS Partial Dosage

PARRE Program for Risk and Resiliency Evaluation 

PART Program Assessment Rating Tool (OMB)

PAS

 Personal Assistance Services (to provide 

support to Individuals with disabilities) 

 Personnel Accountability System

 Planning Advisory Service 

 Presidential Appointment with Senate 

Confirmation

PAs Protective Actions 

PASG Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment 

PASP  Protective Action Strategy Plan 

 Public Assistance Project Specialist 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

325 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PASS

 Partners Assuring Safer Schools

 Performance Accountability and Standards 

System

 Personnel Alert Safety System

PAT Process Action Team

PATCO Professional, Administrative, Technical, Clerical, 

Other

PATF Practical Applications Training Facility

PATL Public Assistance Task Force Leader 

PATRIOT Act, USA PATRIOT Act

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing 

Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and 

Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

PAWSA Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment

PAX  Passengers

 Private Automatic eXchange 

PAZ Protective Action Zone

Pb Chemical Symbol for Lead 

PB

 Prussian Blue (An antidote used for certain 

types of radioactive contamination especially 

Cs-137) 

 Public Broadcasting 

PBA Pine Bluff Arsenal 

PBAC Policy Based Access Control

PBCA Pine Bluff Chemical Activity

PBD Program Budget Decision

PBD1, PBD2 Infrastructure Branch Director Type 1 and Type 

2 

PBDS Prototype Biological Detection System

PBIED Person-Borne IED

PBOP Probeye Operator

PBPB Performance Based Program Budgeting 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

326 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PBRB Program Budget Review Board

PBS  Public Broadcasting System

 Public Buildings Service

PBSIS Public Building Service Information System

PBX  Phone Bank Exchange

 Private Branch Exchange

PC  Personal Computer

 United States Peace Corps 

P/C Pleasure Craft 

PCA

 Posse Comitatus Act 

 Presbyterian Church in America Disaster 

Response 

 Program Component Area 

PCB Professional Certification Board 

PCB Printed Circuit Board 

PCC

 Pathobiologics Collaborating Center

 Poison Control Center 

 Policy Coordination Committee

PCCA Portable Computer and Communications 

Association 

PCCIP President’s Commission on Critical 

Infrastructure Protection

PCD Physician Course Director 

PCE Programmatic Categorical Exclusion

PCERT Preliminary Computer Evidence Recovery 

Training

PCF  Patient Care Form

 Pounds Per Cubic Foot 

PCII Protected Critical Infrastructure Information 

PCII MS PCII Management System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

327 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PCIS Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security

PCLOB Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

PCO Privy Council Office

PCR  Polymerase Chain Reaction

 Program and Capability Review

P/CRCL Privacy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 

PCS

 Permanent Change of Station

 Personal Communications Service/System 

 Planning, Coordination and Support

PCSC Preventing and Combating Serious Crime 

PCSF Process Control Systems Forum

PCT

 Pacific Coast Time 

 Pastoral Care Team 

 Percent 

 Precinct 

PCTARE Personal Computer Time and Attendance 

Remote Entry

PCWHF Presidential Commission on White House 

Fellows

PD

 Paid

 Per Diem

 Police Department

 Policy Directive

 Position Description

 Presidential Declaration

 Program Directive-Outline 

P&D Production and Development

PDA

 Personal/Portable Data Assistant (electronic 

information devices) 

 Planning and Decision Aid

 Preliminary Damage Assessment

 Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

328 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PDASH Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health 

(HHS)

PDASPR Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for 

Preparedness and Response (HHS) 

PDB President's Daily Brief

PDC

 Pacific Disaster Center

 Personnel Data Card

 Policy Doctrine Coordination Branch 

 Professional Development Committee 

PDCA Plan, Do, Check, Adjust

PDCO Planetary Defense Coordination Office (NASA) 

PDD Presidential Decision Directive

PDDNRO Principal Deputy Director of the National 

Reconnaissance Office 

PDEV Office of Policy Development, (PLCY)

PDF

 Personal/Personnel Data Form 

 Probability Density Function

 Protected or Portable Document Format 

PDIM

 Planning Development and Implementation 

Management 

 Planning Development and Information 

Management 

 Planning Document Imaging Management

 Power Distribution and Illumination System 

(transmits electrical power in an austere 

field environment) 

PDM Pre-disaster Mitigation (FEMA Program) 

PDMF Pre-disaster Mitigation Fund

PDNA Post-Disaster Needs Assessment 

PDO  Pacific Decadal Oscillation

 Program Decision Option

PDOP Position Dilution of Precision
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

329 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PDP Policy Decision Point

PDRP Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan 

PDS  Personnel Decontamination Station

 Practice(s) Dangerous to Security

PDSI Palmer Drought Severity Index

PDT Pacific Daylight Time (GMT-7)

PE Professional Engineer

PEA Programmatic Environmental Assessment

PEA Pulseless Electrical Activity 

PEAD Presidential Emergency Action Document

PEARS Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition 

and Stabilization 

PECARN Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research 

Network 

PECC  Provincial Emergency Coordination Center

 Pediatric Emergency Care Council 

PED

 Pedestrian 

 Pediatric

 Portable Electronic Device

PEDS

 Pediatrics 

 Personal Emergency Device 

 Portable Emergency Data System

 Property Evidence Division

PEER Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research 

Center 

PEG  Performance Evaluation Group

 Performance Evaluation Guide

PEIS Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

PEL Permissible Exposure Limit (OSHA)

PEM Protein-Energy Malnutrition 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

330 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PEMS Peninsula EMS Council 

PEO  Program Execution Office

 Public Education and Outreach

PEOC President’s Emergency Operations Center 

(White House Underground Command Center) 

PEP

 Policy Enforcement Point 

 Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 

 Prepositioned Equipment Program

 Primary Entry Point

 Professional Excellence Program

 Project Execution Plan 

PEPAC Primary Entry Point Advisory Committee

PEPCCA Program to Enhance Preparedness for Complex 

Coordinated Attacks 

PEPP Pediatric Education for Prehospital 

Professionals 

PERI Public Entity Risk Institute

PERSTAT Personnel Status 

PERT Program Evaluation and Review Technique

PES  Peak Evacuation Shelter Population 

 Performance Excellence Series

PETS Act Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards 

Act of 2006 

PETL Prevention Education Team Leader

PETM Prevention Education Team Manager

PFA  Primary Federal Agency

 Procurement Funding Authority
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

331 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PFC

 Permeable Friction Course (layer of porous 

asphalt)

 Police and Fire Commission 

 Post Flood Check 

PFD  Personal Flotation Device 

 Primary Frontal Dune

PFDMA Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers 

Association 

PFL Person First Language (putting the person first, 

not their disability, medical diagnosis, etc.) 

PFO  Principal Federal Officer

 Principal Federal Official

PFOR Principal Federal Official’s Representative

PfP Partnership for Peace (NATO)

PFPA Pentagon Force Protection Agency

PFT

 Permanent Full-Time (employee)

 Physical Fitness Test 

 Pulmonary Function Tests 

PG  Performance Group 

 Planning Group

PGA Peak Ground Acceleration 

PGC Privacy Guidelines Committee

PGD Preparedness Grants Division 

PGM  Program

 Preparedness Grants Manual

PGP Pretty Good Privacy

PGSP Photography Specialist 

PH

 Phone

 Power of Hydrogen (solution is acidic or 

alkaline) 

 Public Health
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

332 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PHA Program Health Assessment 

PHEIC

Public Health Emergency of International 

Concern (a formal declaration by the World 

Health Organization) 

PHEP Public Health Emergency Preparedness

PHER Public Health Emergency Response 

PHI Protected Health Information 

PHILIS Portable High-Throughput Integrated Laboratory 

Identification System

PHIN Public Health Information Network (CDC)

PHMCE Public Health Medical Countermeasures 

Enterprise 

PHMS Public Health and Medical Specialist 

PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration (DOT) 

PHN Public Health Nurse 

PHIO/GST Public Health Intelligence Office/Global Security 

Team (CDC) 

PHOTO Photograph 

PHR Public Health Region 

PHRBAE Public Health Readiness for Biological Agent 

Event

PHS Public Health Service

PHSP Personnel/Human Resources Support 

Specialist 

PHTLS Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support 

PHUL Public Health and Medical Services Unit Leader 

PHY Physical Layer 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

333 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PI

 Pandemic Influenza 

 Principal Investigator (lead scientific 

researcher) 

 Project Impact

 Project Inspector

P&I Protection and Indemnity

PIA Privacy Impact Assessment

PIADC Plum Island Animal Disease Center

PIANC

Permanent International Association of 

Navigation Congresses (also known as the 

World Association for Waterborne Transport 

Infrastructure 

PIAT Public Information Assist Team

PIBAL Pilot Balloon Operation 

PIC

 Performance Improvement Coordinator 

 Personal Identification Code 

 Pilot in Command

 Private Industry Council 

Pic Picture

PICCL Private Sector Incident Communications 

Coordination or Conference Line 

PID

 Patient Identification 

 Permanent Identifier 

 Poisons Information Database 

PIER Public Information, Education and Relations

PIEVC Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability 

Committee

PIF Policies in Force

PIG Public Interest Group

PII Personally Identifiable Information

PIIU Program Innovation and Improvement Unit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

334 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PIN  Personal Identification Number

 Priority Information Needs 

PINS Personnel in Need of Supervision 

PINX Private Integrated Services Network Exchange 

PIO, PIOF Public Information Officer 

PIO1, PIO2 Public Information Officer Type 1, Type 2

PIOET Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging 

Threats (USAID)

PIP Proposer Information Pamphlet

PIPS Pre-Incident Planning System

PIR  Post Implementation Review

 Priority Intelligence Requirement

PITLS Pediatric International Trauma Life Support 

PIV  Personal Identity Verification

 Post Indicating Valve

PIW Person in the World 

PKEMRA Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform 

Act of 2006

Pkg Package

PKI Public Key Infrastructure

PL

 Padlock

 Planning

 Preparedness Level

 Public Law

PL 93-288 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 

Emergency Assistance Act

PLA

 Parachute Landing Area 

 Principal Legal Advisor 

 Property Lease Agreement

 Provisionally Accredited Levee 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

335 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PLAN Personal Localized Alerting Network 

PLANS Planning Section 

PLC Pacific Logistics Center

PLCY Office of Policy

PLE Principal Level Exercises

Plf Pounds Per Linear Foot 

PLI

 Position Location Information 

 Professional Liability Insurance 

 Public Lands and Institutions 

 Public Liability Insurance 

PLMG Communications Planning Manager 

PLMR Private Land Mobile Radio 

PLOTS Passport Lookout Tracking System

PLS Palletized load System 

PLSL Planning Support Unit Leader 

PLSP Planning Specialist 

PLSS Public Land Survey System

PLUMIS Plum Island

PM

 Post Meridiem (from noon to midnight =12-

hours)

 Postmaster

 Procedure Memorandum 

 Program Manager or Management 

 Project Monitor 

 Personnel Mobilization

PM10

Particulate Matter of Mass Median 

Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) less than or 

equal to 10 micrometers (NWCG) 

PM2.5

Particulate Matter of Mass Median 

Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) less than or 

equal to 2.5 micrometers (NWCG)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

336 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PMA  Political-Military Assessment 

 President’s Management Agenda

PMBOK Project Management Body of Knowledge 

PMC  Personnel Mobilization Center 

 Partially Mission Capable 

PMCE Positive Memorable Customer Experience

PMCS Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services

PMF Presidential Management Fellows

PMG  Program Management Group

 Program Monitoring Group

PMIS Performance Measurement Information System

PM-ISC Program Manager for the Information Sharing 

Council

PM-ISE Program Manager for the Information Sharing 

Environment

PML Personal/Personnel Marker Light 

PMO

 Program Management Office

 Project Management Office 

 Property Management Officer

PMP

 Performance Monitoring Plan

 Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness 

 Program Management Plan 

 Project Management Professional

PMR

 Patient Movement Request

 Physical Map Revision

 Private Mobile Radio 

PMRS Performance Management and Recognition 

System

PMS

 Payments Management System

 Program Management System

 Program Management Section 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

337 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PMSP Program Liaison Specialist 

PMT Project Management Team

PMTL Protective Measures Target List

PMU

 Property Management Unit

 Phasor Measurement Unit (also called 

synchrophasors used to assess an electrical 

power distribution system) 

PMWG Performance Management Working Group

PN

 Part Number

 Partner Nation 

 Project Number

PNE Peaceful Nuclear Explosion

PNG

 Persona Non Grata (Latin meaning "an 

unwelcome person")

 Pipeline Natural Gas 

 Portable Network Graphics

 Pressurized Natural Gas 

PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

PNOV Preliminary Notice of Violation

PNP

 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 

 Private Non-Profit

 Protection and National Preparedness Office 

PNR Passenger Name Record

PNT Positioning, Navigation and Timing (part of 

Global Positioning System) 

PNV Present Net Value

PNWCG Pacific Northwest Coordinating Group 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

338 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PO

 Personnel Office

 Post Office

 Preparedness Officer 

 Program Office 

 Project Officer

 Purchase Officer

 Purchase Order

POA

 Plan of Action 

 Point of Arrival

 Power of Attorney 

POAM Plan of Action and Milestones 

POB Place of Birth

POC  Point of Contact

 Proof of Concept 

POD

 Point of Departure

 Point of Dispensing 

 Point of Distribution 

 Port of Destination 

 Probability of Detection 

PODS Point of Distribution Sites

POE

 Point of Entry

 Port of Embarkation

 Port of Entry 

POEC Ports of Entry Coordinator 

POES Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite

POETE Plan, Organize, Equip, Train, Exercise 

POETE/OPS Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, 

Exercises and/ Operations Support
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

339 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

POI

 Point of Impact 

 Poisonous 

 Probability of Ignition 

 Program of Instruction

POL Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants 

POLAD  Policy Advisor 

 Political Advisor 

POLF Points of Light Foundation

Pol-Mil Political-Military 

POLREP Pollution Report

POMSO Plans, Operations and Military Support Officer

PoP Period Of Performance

POP-3 Post Office Protocol (Version 3)

POR Point of Review

POS  Probability of Survival 

 Period of Service 

POTS Plain Old Telephone Service

POTUS President of the United States

POTW Public Owned Treatment Works

PoUWT Point-of-Use Water Treatment 

POV Personal/Privately Owned Vehicle 

PP

 Pay Period

 Per Person

 Personal Property

 Personal Protection

 Pilot Project 

PP&E Personal Property and Equipment
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

340 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PPA

 Partnership Project Agreement 

 Performance Partnership Agreement

 Prompt Payment Act

PPACA Performance Partnership Agreement 

Cooperative Agreement

PPAG Proposed Public Affairs Guidance

PPB  Parts Per Billion

 Plans, Programs and Budget

PPBCP Professional Practices for Business Continuity 

Professionals

PPBE Planning, Programming, Budgeting and 

Execution

PPBES Planning, Programming and Budgeting 

Execution System

PPBM Positive Passenger Baggage Match

PPBS Planning, Programming and Budgeting System

PPC Prevention and Preparedness Council

PPCBP Prickly Pear Cactus Burning Program

PPD Presidential Policy Directive 

PPDR Public Protection and Disaster Relief 

PPDS Pre-Positioned Disaster Supplies

PPE  Pay Period Ending

 Personal Protective Equipment

PPFRP Prepared and Perishable Food Rescue Program

PPG Program Planning Guidance

PPI

 Protected Personal Information 

 Port Partnership Initiative

 Preliminary Placement Interview

 Pre-Placement Interview

 Progressive Policy Institute
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

341 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PPM

 Parts Per Million

 Printer/Plotter Module

 Program Performance Monitoring

 Processing Procedures Manual

PPMG Public Assistance Planning Manager 

PPN Passport Number

PPO Preferred Provider Organizations

PPP  Point-to-Point Protocol 

 Prohibited Personnel Practice 

PPPA (Office of) Preparedness Policy, Planning and

Analysis

PPQ  Plant Protection and Quarantine

 Past Performance Questionnaires 

PPR

 (Office of) Plans, Programs and 

Requirements

 Prior Permission Required

PPRP Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan 

PPS Pre-Positioned Site

PPSP Public Assistance Planning Specialist 

PPU Policy and Planning Unit 

PPV Positive Pressure Ventilation 

PQS Performance Qualification Standard 

PR

 Personnel Recovery 

 Positive Response (Exercise Series)

 Public Relations

 Purchase Request

Pr Precipitation 

PR4 Project Responder 4 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

342 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PRA

 Paperwork Reduction Act

 Patient Reception Area 

 Patient Reporting Activity

 Priority Redevelopment Area 

PRB Procurement Review Board

PRC

 People's Republic of China

 Permanent Resident Card (also known as a 

“Green Card” - USCIS)

 Populace and Resources Control 

 Postal Rate Commission

 Presidential Reserve Call-up 

 Purchase Request and Committal

PRD Personal Radiation Detection Device

PRECOM Preliminary Communication Search 

PREP Obsolete: DHS Directorate for Preparedness

PREPnet National Preparedness Network

PRER Peacetime Radiological Emergency Response

PRFA Pollution Removal Funding Authorization 

PRIME POWER USACE Engineer Battalion School

PRISM

 Permanent Image Repository of Passport 

Applications and Supporting Documentation 

 Planning Tool for Resource, Integration,

Synchronization and Management 

 Obsolete: Performance and Registration 

Information Systems Management

Replaced by: Protective Threat Management 

System “PTMS” (USSS)

PRIT Passive Rapid Intervention Teams

PRIV  Privacy Office

 Privileges 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

343 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PRM/BPRM Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration 

(DOS) 

PRND Preventive Radiological/Nuclear Detection

PRNG Puerto Rico National Guard

PRO Personnel Records On-Line

PROACT Protective and Response Options for Airport 

Counter Terrorism

PROC  Acquisition Procurement Unit Leader 

 Procurement Unit Leader

PROFLOW Procedural Flow

PROP Property Management Unit Leader 

PROTECT

Program for Response Options and Technology 

Enhancements for Chemical/Biological 

Terrorism

ProTrac Procurement Tracking System 

PRP

 Personnel Reliability Program

 Preferred Risk Policy (type of flood insurance 

policy)

PRS Primary Receiving Site

PRSP Acquisition Procurement Specialist 

PRT

 Planning and Response Team

 Printer 

 Peer Review Team

PRVOAD Puerto Rico Voluntary Organizations Active in 

Disasters

PS

 Private Sector 

 Program Support

 Planning Staff 

 Public School 

PS Prep Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness 

Accreditation and Certification Program 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

344 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PSA

 Patient Staging Area

 Port Security Assessment

 Priority Shortfall Area 

 Protective Security Advisor

 Public Service Announcement

PSAG

Obsolete: Public Safety Advisory Group

Replaced by: Transportation Safety 

Advancement Group (TSAG)

PSAMS Personnel Security Activity Management System

PSAP Public Safety Answering Point

PSAT Protective Security Assistance Teams

PSB Planning Support Branch

PSBS Public Safety Bomb Squad 

PSC  Personal Services Contractor/Contract 

 Planning Section Chief

PSC1, PSC2, PSC3 Planning Section Chief Type 1, Type 2 and Type 

3 

PSCD  Protective Security Coordination Division

 Public Safety Communication Device 

PSCR Public Safety Communications Research 

Program (NIST)

PSD

 Plastic Sphere Dispenser (aerial wildland 

firefighting ignition device)

 Prevention of Significant Deterioration 

 Protective Security Division

PSEAG Physical Security Equipment Action Group 

PSEG Public Service Enterprise Group 

PSG Practitioner Steering Group 

PSGP Port Security Grant Program

psi Pounds per Square Inch

PSI Proliferation Security Initiative
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

345 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PSIA Pounds per Square Inch Absolute

PSIC Public Safety Interoperable Communications

PSIG Pounds per Square Inch Gauge

PSISWP Private Sector Information Sharing Working 

Plan 

PSL Obsolete: Office of Private Sector Liaison

Replaced by: Private Sector Office (PSO)

PSMA Pre-Scripted Mission Assignment

PSMG Private Sector Manager 

PSN Public Switched Network

PSO  Peace Support Operations 

 Private Sector Office (DHS)

PSOB Public Safety Officer Benefits

PSOTP Protective Security Operations Training Program

PSP Project Specialist

PSPP Public Safety Partnership Project 

PSR  Personal Service Radio

 Power Soft Report

PSRC Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up

PSS

 Physical Security Specialist

 Planning Support Section 

 Project Scope Statement 

PSSC Planning Support Section Chief 

PSSIT Port Safety and Security Industry Training 

PSSP Private Sector Specialist 

PSSS Public Safety and Security Specialist 

PST

 Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8)

 Police Service Technician 

 Public Safety Telecommunicator 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

346 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network

PSU Port Security Unit 

PSUL Public Safety and Security Unit Leader 

PSWAC Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee

PSWN Public Safety Wireless Network

PSYOPS Psychological Operations 

PT  Part-Time

 Payload Transporter

PT&E Obsolete: Preparedness, Training and Exercises 

Directorate

PTA

 Parent-Teachers Association

 Privacy Threshold Analysis

 Prior To Arrival 

P-TAC Obsolete: Preparedness Technology, Analysis 

and Coordination Center

PTB Position Task Book

PTE  Potential Threat Element 

 Potential Threat Environment 

PTEP Project Task Execution Plan 

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene (a fluorocarbon solid)

PTI Positive Threat Identification

PTK Prep Toolkit

PTLS Pediatric Trauma Life Support 

PTMS Protective Threat Management System (USSS)

PTN Private Telecommunication Network

PTO Patent and Trademark Office

PTR

 Pointer

 Printer

 Property Transfer Report
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

347 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PTRC Personnel Time Recorder

PTS

 Patient Transport Services 

 Post-Traumatic Stress 

 Production and Technical Services 

PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTT

 Permanent Part-time

 Press to Talk

 Push to Talk

PTWC Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

Pu Chemical symbol for Plutonium 

Public Assistance

Category A

Debris Removal 

Public Assistance

Category B Emergency Protective Measures 

Public Assistance

Category C Roads and Bridges 

Public Assistance

Category D

Water Control Facilities 

Public Assistance

Category E Buildings and Equipment 

Public Assistance

Category F

Utilities 

Public Assistance

Category G Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other 

PUCA Pueblo Chemical Activity

PUCD Pueblo Chemical Depot

PUD Planned Unit Development

PUDA Pueblo Depot Activity

PUG Practical Exam Users Guide 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

348 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PUM Public Utility Model 

PUP Principal User Processor

PUREX Plutonium Uranium Extraction

PV Photovoltaic 

PVA Port Vulnerability Assessment

PVC

 Permanent Virtual Circuits (IT Network 

Connections) 

 Polyvinyl Chloride 

PVCS Polyton Version Configuration System

PVO  Private Voluntary Organization

 Private Volunteer Organization

PVT

 Pressure, Volume and Temperature 

 Positioning, Velocity and Timing 

 Private (United States Army) 

PVTSAC Private Sector Senior Advisory Committee

PW  Project Worksheet

 Public Works

PWC  Personal Watercraft 



PWCS Ports Waters and Coastal Security

PWD  Password

PWG Practitioners Working Group

PWIA Personal Watercraft Industry Association 

PWIN

Obsolete: Prototype World Wide Military 

Command and Control System (WWMCCS) 

Intercomputer Network

Replaced by: WWMCCS Intercomputer Network 

(WIN) 

PWM Pulse-Width Modulation 

PWPP Pandemic Workforce Protection Plan 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

349 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

PWR  Power

 Pressurized Water Reactor

PWSP Public Works and Engineering Unit Leader 

PY Past Year

PZ Precautionary Zone

P-Δ Axial Load-Deflection 

Q: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

Q3 Quality Level 3

QA Quality Assurance

Q&A  Quality and Accountability 

 Question and Answer

QAM Quality Assurance Manager 

QAP  Qualified Ambulance Paramedic 

 Quality Assurance Plan 

QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan

QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control

QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

QBE Query by Example

QBO Quasi-Biennial Oscillation

QC Quality Control

Q&C Qualification and Certification 

QCMG Public Assistance Quality Assurance/Quality 

Control Manager 

QCSP Public Assistance Quality Assurance/Quality 

Control Specialist

QD Quantity/Distance
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

350 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

QDR Quadrennial Defense Review (DOD) 

QFR  Questions for Review

 Questions for the Record

QMP Qualifications Management Portal 

QMS Quality Management System 

QOP Quality of Protection

QOS Quality of Service

QPHO Quarantine Public Health Officer (CDC) 

QR Quality Review 

QRB Quality Review Board

QRC Quick Reaction Checklist

QRP Quick Response Program

QRS Quick Response System

QRT  Quick Reaction Team 

 Quick Response Team

QRU Quick Response Unit

QSI Quality Step Increase

QSIG Q interface Signaling Protocol 

QT  Total Activity Released

 Quart 

QTF Quantitative Temperature Forecast 

QTY Quantity

Quebec Phonetic Alphabet for Q 

QUF6 Uranium Hexafluoride Inventory 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

351 

R: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

R Roentgen (international unit of x- or γ-radiation)

RA

 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

 Regional Administrator 

 Reimbursable Agreement

 Rental Assistance 

 Resource Advisor

 Risk Assessment

 Recipient Agency

R&A  Rescue and Assistance 

RAA

 Radiological Accident Assessment

 Regional Airline Association

 Request for Allocation Advice

RAAC Radiological Accident Assessment Concepts

RAAW Request for Allocation Advice Worksheet

RAB Reservist Advisory Board 

RABC Radio Advisory Board of Canada 

RAC

 Reception and Care

 Regional Assistance Committee

 Remedial Action Coordinator

 Regional Advisory Council 

 Risk Assessment Code

RAC AC Regional Assistance Committee Advisory 

Council

RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services

RACF Resource Access Control Facility

RACM Reasonably Available Control Measures 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

352 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RAD

 Radiation-Absorbed Dose

 Radiological

 Resource Allocation Decision

 Recovery Analytical Division 

RADCON Radiological Control (Team)

RADEF Radiological Defense

RADIAC Radioactivity Detection, Indication and 

Computation

RADID Radar Information Display

RADLAB Radiological Laboratory

RadNet Nationwide System that Monitors Radiation in 

the Environment (EPA) 

RADNUC Radiological/Nuclear Enforcement

Rad/Nuc Radiological/Nuclear

Rad/NUc CTEC Radiological/Nuclear Countermeasures Test 

and Evaluation Complex

RADO Radio Operator

RAFACS Receipt and Alien File Accountability and 

Control System

RAIC Resident Agent in Charge

RAID  Rapid Assessment and Initial Detection

 Redundant Array of Independent Disks

RAIO Refugee, Asylum and International Operations 

(DHS-USCIS)

RAM

 Radiological/Radioactive Material

 Random-Access Memory

 Remedial Action Manager

 Reliability, Availability, Maintainability 

RAMAC Random Access Method Accounting Control

RAMCAP Risk Analysis and Management for Critical 

Asset Protection
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

353 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RAM-D Risk Assessment Methodology for Dams

RAMOS Remote Automated Meteorological Observing 

System

RAMP  Ramp Manager

 Remedial Action Management Program

RAMPID Remedial Action Management Program Issue 

Database

RAMPREP Remedial Action Management Program Report

RAMT Radiological Assessment Medical Team

RAMTAR Radiological Material Transportation Accident 

Response

RAP

 Radiological Assistance Plan

 Radiological Assistance Program (DOE)

 Remedial Action Project

 Resource Allocation Plan

 Resource Allocation Process 

 Risk Assessment Policy

RAPID

 Recovery Assistance Programs Information 

and Delivery

 Risk Assessment Process for Informed 

Decision Making

RAPS Refugees, Asylum and Parole System (USCIS) 

RAPTAD Random Particle Transport and Diffusion

RAR  Regional Analysis and Recommendation

 Resources at Risk 

RARE Roadless Area Review and Evaluation 

RART Regional Assessment and Response Team

RAS  Registration, Admission and Status 

 Pharmacy/Treatment Administration (HL7) 

RASCAL Radiological Assessment System for 

Consequence Analysis
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

354 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RASO Radiological Affairs Support Office (United 

States Navy) 

RASP Risk Analyst Specialist 

RASS Radio Acoustic Sounding System

RAT  Radiological Assistance Team

 Rapid Assessment Team 

RATLS Remote Area Trauma Life Support

RAWG Rapid Assessment Work Group 

RAWN Radar Wind Sounding

RAWS  Remote Automated Weather Station

 Remote Automated Weather System

R/B Roads and Bridges

RBAC Role-Based Access Control 

RBCS Rural Business Cooperative Service

RBDF Royal Bahamian Defense Force 

RBDM Risk Based Decision Making 

RBFF Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

RBIS Risk-Based Inspection System 

RB-M/RB-S Response Boat - Medium/Response Boat – 

Small 

RBS Recreational Boating Safety 

RBSP Reports and Briefing Specialist 

RC

 Reception Center

 Recovery Center

 Red Cross

 Reserve Component

 Refugee Camp 

R&C Regulation and Compliance 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

355 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RC3 Regional Consortium Coordinating Council 

(DHS) 

RC&D Resource Conservation and Development

RCA

 Radiological Control Area

 Refrigerant-Containing Appliance 

 Riot Control Agent 

 Riparian Conservation Area

 Rural Community Assistance

RCAC Red Cross Assistance Center

RCB  Regional Coordination Branch 

 Resource and Capability Branch 

RCBAP Residential Condominium Building Association 

Policy 

RCBD Resource and Capability Branch Director 

RCC

 Reception and Congregate Care

 Regional Climate Center

 Rescue Coordination Center

 Recovery Core Capability 

RCCC Regional Consortium Coordinating Council 

RCCL Recovery Coordination Crew Leader 

RCDCB Regional Civil Defense Coordinating Board

RCDM Receiving/Distribution Manager

RCF Release Conversion Factor

RCG Recovery Coordination Group

RCGS Recovery Coordination Group Supervisor 

RCLSC Resource and Center Logistics Section Chief 

RCMs Regional Continuity Managers 

Regional Climate Model

RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police 

RCO Regional Coordinating Officer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

356 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RCP

 Regional Contingency Plan

 Regional Oil and Hazardous Substances 

Pollution Contingency Plan

RCPG Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant 

RCPGP Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant 

Program 

RCPT  Receipt 

 Regional Catastrophic Planning Team 

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

RCRT Recertification 

RCS  Reactor Coolant System 

 Reports Control System

RCSP Public Assistance Resource Specialist 

RCT Response Coordination Team 

RCTL Recovery Coordination Task Force Leader

RCV Replacement Cost Value

RD

 Regional Director

 Restricted Data

 Rural Delivery 

 Rural Development 

R&D Research and Development

RDB Resource Database 

RDBMS Relational Database Management System 

RDC Regional Disaster Coordinator

RDCD Rapidly Deployable Chemical Detection

RDD Radiological Dispersal Device

RDF  Resource Description Framework 

 Rapid Deployment Force 

RDFS Resource Description Framework Schema 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

357 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RDIS Regional Disability Integration Specialist 

RDMG Receiving and Distribution Manager 

RDO

 Radiological Defense Officer

 Regional Disaster Office

 Regional Duty Officer

 Regular Day Off

RDOS Real-Time Disk Operating System

RDP Regional Delivery Program

RDPC Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium

RDS Remote Delivery Site

RDT Rapid Deployment Team

RDTE or RDT&E Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation

RDUL Receiving and Distribution Unit Leader 

RE

 Real Estate

 Responsible Entity 

 Reference 

Re Revised 

REA  Radioactive Emergency Area

 Rural Electrification Administration

REAC Radiation or Radiological Emergency Assistance 

Center

REACT

 Radio Emergency Assistance 

Communications Team

 Radio Emergency Associated 

Communications Team

REAC/TS

 Radiation Emergency Assistance Center - 

Training Site

 Radiological Emergency Assistance Center - 

Training Site

READ Recycling Electronics and Asset Disposition 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

358 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

READI Response to Emergencies and Disasters 

Institute

REAL ID Real Identification

REC  Regional Emergency Coordinator (HHS)

 Regional Examination Center

RECA Residual Capability Assessment

RECAT Residential Capability Assessment Team

RECC Regional Emergency Communications 

Coordinator

RECCWG Regional Emergency Communications 

Coordination Working Group

RECD Rural Economic and Community Development

RECEO VS Rescue, Exposure, Confinement, Extinguish, 

Overhaul, Ventilation and Storage 

RECERT Recertification 

RECON  Reconnaissance

 Reconsideration

RECOUP Recoupment 

RECP Regional Emergency Communications 

Plan/Planner

RECS Radiological Emergency Communications 

System 

RED Radiological Exposure Device 

REDAM Radiological Emergency Dose Assessment 

Model

REDCAP Readiness and Capability Exercise

REDI Regional Emergency Disaster Inventory

REDOPS Response and Defeat Operations Support 

RefCoord DOS Regional Refugee Coordinator 

REFTEL Reference Telegram. 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

359 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

REG Registration 

REHB Responder Rehabilitation Manager

REL  Recommended Exposure Limit

 Release 

RELT Regional EMAC Liaison Team 

REM Roentgen Equivalent Man/Mammal

REMM Radiation Emergency Medical Management 

(HHS) 

REMS Remote Environmental Monitoring System

REMS-TA Center

 Readiness and Emergency Management for 

Schools 

 Technical Assistance Center (Department of 

Education) 

REMT Regional Emergency Management Team

RENC Regional Emergency Notification Center

REO  Regional Environmental Officer

 Regional Exercise Officer 

REOC Regional Emergency Operations Center

REP

 Radiological Emergency Preparedness

 Regional Evacuation Plan

 Regional Evacuation Point

REPLICA Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure 

Interstate Compact Act 

REPLO Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison 

Officer

REPP Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program

REQ-A Request for Assistance 

RER Record of Environmental Review

RERO Radiological Emergency Response Operations

RERP Radiological Emergency Response Plan
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

360 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RERT Radiological Emergency Response Team (EPA)

RESFs Regional Emergency Support Functions 

RESL Resources Unit Leader

RESTAT Resources Status

RET

 Regional Emergency Transportation

 Retardant

 Renewable Energy Technology 

RETCO Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator

RETOPS Radiological Emergency Team Operations

RETREP Regional Emergency Transportation 

Representative

REX Readiness Exercise

RF

 Radio Frequency

 Resonance Frequency 

 Reserve Force 

RFA  Request for Assistance 

 Request for Federal Assistance

RFC

 River Forecast Center

 Repetitive Flood Claims 

 Revision Final Coordination 

RFD

 Rescue Floatation Device

 Revision Final Draft 

 Rural Free Delivery 

 Racketeering, Fraud and Diversion 

RfD Reference Dose 

RFF Request for Feedback (assessment) 

RFHL Regional Flood Hazard Layer

RFI  Radio Frequency Interference

 Request for Information

RFID Radio Frequency Identification
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

361 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RFO  Ready for Occupancy

 Regional Field Office

RFP Request for Proposal

RFQ Request for Quote

RFS Request for Service

RFSI Residential Fire Safety Institute

RFW Red Flag Warning

RG

 Relative Greenness (a visual representation 

of live fuel moisture related to fire potential) 

 Review Guide

RGN Region

RH

 Relative Humidity (measurement of moisture 

in the air relative to the air temperature) 

 Reproductive Health 

Rh Rhesus Factor (Blood Typing - Rh Blood Group 

System) 

R/h Roentgens per hour

RHA

 Reduced Hazard Ammunition

 Regional Health Administrator (HHS)

 Rural Housing Agency

RHAVE Risk Hazard and Value Evaluation Program

RHIA Registered Health Information Administrator 

RHIT Registered Health Information Technician 

RHP Rural Health Plan 

RHS Rural Housing Service

RI  Registration Intake 

 Remedial Investigation

RIA Requiring Immediate Action

RIAT Rapid Impact Assessment Team
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

362 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RIB Regional Integration Branch 

RIC Recovery Information Center 

RICCS Regional Incident Communication and 

Coordination System

Richter Scale

Rating the Magnitude (or the energy released) 

by an earthquake on the following scale: 

Scale 1.0–1.9 = Micro Earthquake

Scale 2.0–3.9 = Minor Earthquake

Scale 4.0–4.9 = Light Earthquake

Scale 5.0–5.9 = Moderate Earthquake

Scale 6.0–6.9 = Strong Earthquake

Scale 7.0–7.9 = Major Earthquake

Scale 8.0–8.9 = Great Earthquake 

Scale 9.0-Higher = Greater Earthquake

RICO Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization

RICT Regional Incident Coordination Team

RIF Reduction in Force

RIID 

 Radiation Isotope Identifier Device

 Radioisotope Identification

 Radio-isotope Identification Detectors

RIJAN Regional Information Joint Awareness Network

R-IMAT Regional Incident Management Assistance 

Team 

RIMS Recovery Information Management System 

RIO  Regional Information Officer 

 Remote Infrastructure Operations

RIP

 Routing Information Protocol

 Rehabilitation and Inspection Services 

(USACE) 

RIPRNet Releasable Internet Protocol Router Network 

RIS Regulatory Issue Summary

RISC Regional Interagency Steering Committee 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

363 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RISK Map Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning 

Program 

RISM Regional Incident Support Manual 

RISS, RISSNET Regional Information Sharing System

RIT Rapid Intervention Team

RITF Rapid Intervention Task Force

RITIS Regional Integrated Transportation Information 

System 

RITN Radiation Injury Treatment Network

RKB-LLIS Responder Knowledge Base-Lessons Learned 

Information Sharing

RL  Recording level

 Repetitive Loss

RLE Run Length Encoding

RLP Repetitive Loss Property

RLS Registered Land Surveyor

RLTG Repetitive Loss Target Group

RM

 Radiological Monitor

 Records Management

 Resource Manager

 Resource Messaging (see EDXL-RM) 

 Risk Management

RMA  Risk Management Agency (USDA)

 Risk Management and Analysis

RMAT Risk Management Assessment Tool

RMCC Rocky Mountain Coordination Center 

RMD Readiness Management Division 

RMD Risk Management Division

RMD Records Management Department
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

364 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RMEC Regional Military Emergency Coordinator

RMG Resource Management Group

RMI Republic of the Marshall Islands

RMI NDMO Republic of the Marshall Islands National 

Disaster Management Office

RMM River Mile Marker

RMNCS Regional Manager National Communications 

System

RMP

 Response Management Plan 

 Risk Management Plan 

 Royal Mounted Police (Canada) 

 Remote Medical Practitioner

RMRIWFCG Rocky Mountain Regional Interagency Wildland 

Fire Communications Group

RMS

 Radiation Monitoring System 

 Risk Management System

 Remote Monitoring Station / System 

RMSE Root Mean Square Error

RMSI Regional Maritime Security Initiative (DHS)

RMSP Remote Sensing Specialist 

RMT

 Radiological Monitoring Team

 Required Monthly Test (Wireless Emergency 

Alert) 

 Response Management Team 

RMTN Regional Meteorological Telecommunications 

Network

RMTO Resources Management Transformation Office

RMWG Records Management Working Group 

RN

 Radiological/Nuclear 

 Radon 

 Registered Nurse
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

365 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

R/N Radiological and Nuclear 

RNA Rapid Needs Assessment

RNAT Rapid Needs Assessment Team

RNC-SAA Radiological and Nuclear CountermeasureSystem Architectures Analysis

RNCTEC Radiological/Nuclear Counter-measures Test 

and Evaluation Complex

RND Radiological and Nuclear Detection 

RNHCIs Religious Nonmedical Health Care Institutions 

RNI Reference Nutrient Intakes 

RNMCB Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion

RO

 Radiological Officer

 Read Only

 Receive Only

 Regional Office

 Reports Officer

 Responsible Officer

ROB Regional Office Building

ROBCAT Rules of Behavior and Computer Awareness 

Training

ROC

 Obsolete: Regional Operations Center

Replaced by: Regional Response 

Coordination Center (RRCC)

 Rally Operations Center 

 Rehearsal of Concept 

 Report on Conditions 

ROCL Recovery Outreach Support Crew Leader 

ROD Record of Decision

ROE  Right-of Entry

 Rules of Engagement (use of deadly force) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

366 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ROI

 Release of Information

 Report of Investigation

 Return on Investment

ROM Read-Only Memory

Romeo Phonetic Alphabet for R 

RON Remain Overnight

ROR Released on their Own Recognizance

RORO Roll On/Roll-Off

ROS

 Rate of Spread 

 Response Operating System

 Report of Survey

ROSP Recovery Outreach Support Specialist 

ROSS  Radiological Operations Support Specialist 

 Resource Ordering and Status System

ROST  Regional Office Support Team

 Regional Operations Support Team

ROTHR Relocatable Over the Horizon Radar

ROW Right-of-Way

ROWPU Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit

RP

 Real Property

 Responsible Party 

 Rallying Point (a designate collection area) 

RPA

 Regional Planning Agent 

 Remotely Piloted Aircraft(s) 

 Request for Public Assistance

 Resources Planning Act

RPBA Recreational Powerboating Association 

RPBD Recovery and Protection Branch Director 

RPBP Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

367 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RPC Obsolete: Regional Preparedness Committee

RPG  Response Planning Guide

 Rocket Propelled Grenade 

RPH Resource Priority Header

RPIC Responsible Party Incident Commander 

RPLC Replace 

RPM

 Radiological Portal Monitor

 Remedial Project Manager

 Revolutions Per Minute

 REP Program Manual

RPMFR Remote Physiological Monitoring of First 

Responders 

RPO Regional Project Officer

RPOC Regional Point of Contact

RPP  Radiological Pilot Project

 Resource Phasing Plan 

RPPG-S Recovery Pre-Disaster Planning Guide for States 

RPPO Radiological Pilot Program Office

RPR  Repair 

 Risk Profile Report

RPS

 Radiation Protection Supervisor 

 Radiological Protection System

 Reception Processing Site 

RPT  Radiation Protection Technician 

 Report

RPV Remotely Piloted Vehicle

RQ  Reportable Quantity

 Readiness Quotient 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

368 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RR, R&R

 Railroad

 Recruitment and Retention 

 Response and Recovery

 Rural Route

RRAC Regional Radiological Assistance Committee

RRAP Regional Resiliency Assessment Program 

RRB Railroad Retirement Board

RRCC Regional Response Coordination Center 

RRCS Regional Response Coordination Staff 

RRF

 Rapid Reaction Force

 Regional Response Force

 Rescue and Recovery Function

 Resource Request Form

RRI Release and Return Instructions 

RRIS Rapid Response Information System

RRP Regional Response Plan

RRR Readiness, Response and Recovery

RRRV Regional Rapid Response Vehicle

RRT  Radiological Response Team 

 Regional Response Team

RRWG Reward and Recognition Working Group

RS

 Railway Station

 Regional Summary

 Remote Sensing

 Rescue Squad 

 Response Support

RSA RSA Security SecureID Hardware Token 

RS/T Religious Support/Team 

RSAF Rescue Squad Assistance Fund 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

369 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RSAT Risk Self-Assessment Tool

RSC  Recovery Service Centers 

 Regional Support Center 

RSCL Recovery Mission Support Crew Leader 

RSD

 Radar Storm Detection 

 Remote Sensing Data

 Responder Solutions Directorate 

RSF Recovery Support Function 

RSFLG Recovery Support Function Leadership Group 

RSGS Recovery Mission/Outreach Support Taskforce 

Leader 

RSI  Radiation Status Indicator 

 Repetitive Stress Injury

RSL Recommended Standard List

RSLTT Regional, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial 

RSO Radiation/Radiological Safety Officer

RSO Regional Security Officer/Office (DOS)

RSOI Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and

Integration

RSP

 Regional Support Plan 

 Regular Services Program

 Render Safe Procedures

RSPA Research and Special Programs Administration

RSS

 Really Simple Syndication

 Remote Storage Site

 Resource Support Section 

 Recovery Support Strategy 

RSSC Remote Sensing Support Coordinator
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

370 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RST

 Reference Standard Time

 Regional Support Team

 Religious Support Team 

 Remote Sensing Team

 Render Safe Team

RSTA Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target 

Acquisitions

RSTL Recovery Mission/Outreach Support Taskforce 

Leader 

RSU  Response Support Unit

 Reunification Services Unit

RSVP Retired Senior Volunteer Program

RT

 Registered Traveler

 Resource Tracker

 Resource Tracking

 Resource Type

 Resource Typing 

 Respiratory Therapist 

 Retweet (a re-posting of a tweet on social 

media) 

RTA Responder Technology Alliance 

RTAP  Rapid Technology Application Program

 Real-Time Analytical Platform

RTC Road to Crisis

RTD Resource Typing Definition 

RtePM Real Time Evacuation Planning Model 

RTF

 Responder/Response Task Force

 Rich Text Format

 Rescue Task Force 

RTF-E Response Task Force - East

RTF-W Response Task Force - West
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

371 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RTI Regional Technology Integration

RTK Real Time Kinematic

RTLs Regional Tribal Liaisons 

RTLT Resource Typing Library Tool 

RTM Regional Training Manager

RTN Request Tracking Number 

RTN MAIL Return Mail 

RTO  Rejected Takeoff 

 Response Technology Objective 

RTPD Recovery Technology Programs Division 

RTR

 Radiation Triage, Treatment and Transport 

system (supports medical care following a 

nuclear incident) 

 Rapid Temporary Repair 

RTS Regional Transit System

RTSWG Regional Transit Security Working Group

RTT  Regional Transition Team

 Return to Target 

RUF Rules for the Use of Force 

RUL Resource Unit Leader

RUS Rural Utilities Service

RV Recreation Vehicle 

RVAC Regional Visual Analytics Center

RVAR Regional Administrator's Validation and 

Recommendation 

RVSS Remote Video Surveillance Systems 

RVT Remote Video Terminal

RWA Reimbursable Work Authorization

RWC Regional Watch Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

372 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

RWFD Rigid Wall-Flexible Diaphragm 

RWP Regional Work Plan

RWS Revised Work Schedule

RX

 Prescribed (Fire)

 Prescription (medical)

 Reactor

Rx Receiver

RXB1, RXB2, RXB3 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss 1, 2, 3

RXCM Prescribed Fire Crew Member

RXI1, RXI2 Ignition Specialist Type 1, Type 2

RXM1, RXM2 Prescribed Fire Manager Type 1, Type 2

RXPL Prescribed Fire Planner

S: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

S1 DHS Secretary 

S2 DHS Deputy Secretary 

S-2 Intelligence Staff Officer 

S-4 Logistics Staff Officer 

S-60 DOT Office of Intelligence Security

SA

 Situational Awareness 

 Special Agent or Advisor 

 Special Assistant 

 State Agency

 Support Agency

 Surveillance Area

 System Administration 

SAA State Administrative Agency
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

373 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SAAD Safety Advisor 

SAADRA Southern Animal and Agricultural Disaster 

Response Alliance 

SAAM Special Airlift Assignment Mission

SAAR Secretary's After-Action Report

SAAT Standardized Awareness Authorized Trainer

SAB Scientific Advisory Board 

SABA Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus

SABT Special Agent Bomb Technician

SAC  Special Agency in Charge

 Strategic Air Command 

SACC Southern Area Coordination Center 

SACEUR Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (NATO) 

SACS  Secure Access Control System

 Security and Communications Systems

SAD  Seasonal Affective Disorder 

 Southern Area District

SAE

 Site Area Emergency (Nuclear) 

 Significant Adverse Event 

 Stafford Act Employee (Also Disaster 

Assistance Employee - DAE)

SAFE

 Screening Applied Fairly and Equitably

 Secure Against Fires and Embers

 Secure All-around Flotation Equipped

 Security and Accountability for Every Port

SAFE TEA Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 

Transportation Equity Act

SAFECOM Safety Communique

SAFER Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency 

Response 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

374 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SAFETY ACT Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective 

Technologies Act of 2002

SAFTI Secure and Facilitated International Travel 

Initiative

SAG Senior Advisory Group

SAIC Special Agent in Charge (USSS)

SAIDI System Average Interruption Duration Index 

SAIFI System Average Interruption Frequency Index 

SAIL Secure Automobile Inspection Lanes

SAIT  Safety Accident Investigation Team 

 Serious Accident Investigation Team 

SAL Salvation Army

SALEMDUG State and Local Emergency Managers Data 

Users Group

SALT

 Sort, Assess, Life-saving intervention, 

Treatment/Transport 

 Solution-Oriented, Articulate, LegallySufficient, and Timely

SAM

 Security Advisory Memorandum 

 Severe Acute Malnutrition 

 System for Award Management 

 Station for Atmospheric Measurements

 Surface to Air Missile

SAME Specific Area Message Encoding

SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration (HHS)

SAML Security Assertion Markup Language

SAMP Special Area Management Plan

SAN Storage Area Network
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

375 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SANS

 Ship Arrival Notification System

 System Admin, Audit, Network, Security

 System Administration and Network Security 

SAO  Security Advisory Opinion (DHS)

 State Approving Officer/Official 

SAP

 Special Access Program

 State Action Plan

 State Administrative Plan

 Simplified Acquisition Procedure 

SAR

 Safety Analysis Report

 Search and Rescue

 Sector Annual Reports

 Special Access Required

 Suspicious Activity Report(ing)

 Site Access Request 

SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization 

Act

SARDA State Airborne Reconnaissance for Damage 

Assessment

SAREX Search and Rescue Exercise

SARS  Security Activities Reporting System 

 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking

SART  Search and Rescue Transponder 

 State Animal Response Team

SAS

 Scientific Analysis Section

 Situational Awareness Section 

 Situational Support Section

SASC Situational Awareness Section Chief 

SASP Safety Specialist 

SASS Student Administration and Scheduling System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

376 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SASSM Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing 

SAST Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team

SAT

 Satellite

 Search Augmentation Team

 Simplified Acquisition Threshold

 Shelter Assessment Tool 

SATCOM Satellite Communications

SATERN Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network

SATO Scheduled Airline Ticket Office

SAV  Site Assistance Visit

 Staff Assistance Visit

SAVE Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements

SAVER

 Systems Assessment Validation for 

Emergency Responders (DHS)

 Systems Assessment and Validation and 

Equipment Response (DHS)

SAVI Suspect and Violator Indices

SAWS Seismic Analysis of Wood Frame Structures 

SBA  Shared Border Accord

 Small Business Administration

SBAL Small Business Administration Liaison 

SBACC Shared Border Accord Coordination Committee

SBC Southern Baptist Convention

SBCCI Obsolete: Southern Building Code Congress 

International

SBCCOM Soldier and Biological Chemical Command 

(United States Army)

SBD  Smart Border Declaration

 Strategic Policy and Budget Division (S&T)

SBDC Small Business Development Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

377 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SBI  Secure Border Initiative

 Special Background Investigation

SBINET Secure Border Initiative Network

SBIR Small Business Innovation Research

SBL Straight Bill of Lading

SBOL Straight Bill of Lading

S-BOSS Scenario-Based Orientation for Senior Staff

SBSP Small Business Set-Aside Program 

SBU Sensitive But Unclassified

SC

 Sanctioned Community (National Flood 

Insurance Program) 

 Section Chief

 Strategic Communication 

 Steering Committee 

 Study Contractor

SCA  Small Craft Advisory (Magazine) 

 Space Coordinating Authority 

SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (type 

of computerize industrial control system) 

SCAT

 Security Control of Air Traffic

 Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique 

 Space Coast Area Transit (Florida)

SCATANA Security Control of Air Traffic and Air Navigation 

Aids

SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

SCC

 Secretary's Command Center

 Sector Coordinating Council

 Standards Coordinating Council 

SCC-WMD United States Strategic Command Center for 

Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction 

SCD Service Computation Date
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

378 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SCEC Southern California Earthquake Center

SCEPC Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee 

(NATO)

SCF Surge Capacity Force 

SCG Security Classification Guide

SCHIP State's Child Health Insurance Program 

SCI

 Sensitive Compartmented Information

 Security and Counterintelligence Interviews 

 Supply Chain Intelligence 

SCIC Software Control Integration Center

SCIF Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility

SCIP Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan

SCKN Status/Check-In Recorder 

SCEM Supply Chain Event Management 

SCIP Statewide Communication Interoperable Plan 

SCM  Supply Chain Management 

 Survivable Crisis Management

S&CM Strategic and Critical Materials 

SCO

 Screening Coordination Office (PLCY)

 Shareable Content Object 

 State Coordinating Officer / Office

 Senior Contracting Official / Officer 

SCOPE Systems, Capabilities, Operations, Programs 

and Enterprises 

SCORE

 Service Corps of Retired Executives 

 Special Cyber Operations Research and 

Engineering

SCORM Shareable Content Object Reference Model 

SCOTUS Supreme Court of the United States
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

379 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SCP  Sealift Capability Package 

 Security Control Point

SCR  Silicon Controlled Rectifier 

 Software/System Change Request

SCRAG Senior Civilian Representative of the Attorney 

General

SCRR Special Conversion Recommendation Report

SCS Soil and Conservation Service

SCSC Source Control Support Coordinator 

SCSEP Senior Citizen Service Employment Program

SCSN Southern California Seismic Network

SCTF State Coordination Task Force (CDC) 

SCUB Scuba Diver

SD

 Security Directive

 Severe Damage 

 Static Data 

SD&D System Development and Demonstration

SDA  Senior Development Advisor 

 Seventh Day Adventist

SDC Seismic Design Category 

SDCA Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency 

SDCL Floodplain Management Substantial Damage 

Crew Leader 

SDD Software Development Division 

SDF Special Direct Facility 

SDI State Disability Insurance 

SDK Software Development Kit

SDLC Systems Development Lifecycle 

SDLO Senior Disaster Logistics Officer or Official
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

380 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SDM Scenario Development Message

SDO  Staff Duty Officer

 Standards Development Organization

SDP

 Secretarial Development Program

 Service Delivery Point

 Software Development Plan 

SDPWS Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic 

SDR

 SAR Data Repository (Suspicious Activity 

Report) 

 Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction 

SDRC State Disaster Recovery Coordinator 

SDSC Software Development Service Center 

SDSFIE Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, 

Infrastructure and Environment

SDTS  Spatial Data Transfer Standard

 Spatial Data Transfer System

SDUSM Special Deputy U. S. Marshal

SDVOSB Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small 

Business

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act 

SDWIS Safe Drinking Water Information System 

S&E Salaries and Expenses

SEAOC Structural Engineers Association of California 

SEAONC Structural Engineers Association of Northern 

California 

SEAR Special Events Assessment Rating

SEAT Single Engine Air Tankers

SEB Staphylococcus Enterotoxin Type B

sec Seconds 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

381 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SEC

 (Office of the) Secretary 

 Secretary 

 Securities and Exchange Commission

 Security 

SEC1, SEC2 Security Specialist Level 1, Level 2 

SECARMY Secretary of the Army

SECC State Emergency Coordination Center

SECDEF Secretary, Department of Defense

SECDHS Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

SECG Security Guard (not law enforcement)

SECHHS Secretary, Department of Health and Human 

Services

SECLAN Secure Local Area Network

SECM Security Manager

SECT  Section 

 Security Technician 

SECURE Obsolete: Strategic Communications Resources 

Effort

SED

 Shippers Export Declaration

 Systems Engineering and Development

 Systems Engineering Directorate (National 

Reconnaissance Office)

SEHS Special Events Homeland Security 

SEI

 Software Engineering Institute

 Special Experience Identifier 

 Structural Engineering Institute 

SEL Standardized Equipment List (Interagency 

Board) 

SELC Systems Engineering Lifecycle 

SELS Severe Local Storms
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

382 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SEMA State Emergency Management Agency

SEMG Security Manager 

SEMO State Emergency Management Office /Official

SEMS Standardized Emergency Management System

SENTINEL Securing the Nation through Infrastructure 

Enhancements Locally

SENTRI Secure Electronic Network for Traveler's Rapid 

Inspection

SENTRY SENTRY database (United States Federal 

Bureau of Prisons) 

SEO Senior Energy Official

SEOC  Simulated Emergency Operations Center

 State Emergency Operations Center

SEP State Emergency Plan

SEPLO State Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer

SEPTEL Separate Telegram 

SERC State Emergency Response Commission ( EPA)

SERF Standard Exercise Report Form/Format

SERFC Southeast River Forecast Center (NWS)

SERL Special Events Readiness Level

SERL I Unique Event Requiring Full Support of United 

States Government

SERL II

Primary Event Requiring Local Resource 

Augmentation and Limited Pre-deployment of 

United States Government Assets

SERL III

Secondary Event Requiring Limited Local 

Resource Augmentation and Limited Predeployment of United States Government 

assets

SERL IV Minor Event Generally Requiring no United 

States Government Asset Support
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

383 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SERRI Southeast Region Research Initiative

SERT

 Secretary's Emergency Response Team 

(HHS)

 Significant Events Response Team 

 State Emergency Response Team (DHS)

SES Senior Executive Service (Federal Government)

SES CDP Senior Executive Service Candidate 

Development Program (DHS)

SESP Security Specialist

SET Source Evaluation Team

SETCP Southeast Transportation Corridor Pilot

SEUS Snow Estimation and Updating System

SEVIS Student and Exchange Visitor Information 

System

SEVP Student and Exchange Visitor Program

SF

 Safety 

 Square Foot/Feet

 Security Forces 

 Security Function 

 Special Facility

 Special Forces

 Standard Form

SF6

Sulfur Hexafluoride (extremely potent 

greenhouse gas) 

SFAR Special Federal Aviation Regulation

SFHA Special Flood Hazard Area

SFI Secure Freight Initiative

SFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy

SFLEO Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer or 

Official
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

384 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SFO

 Safety Officer 

 Senior FEMA Official

 State Field Office

 State Field Officer

 Standard Firefighting Order 

 Satellite Field Office 

 Obsolete: Senior Federal Official

Replaced by: Senior Official

SFO1, SFO2, SFO3 Safety Officer Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 

(NWCG) 

SFP  Security Function Policy 

 Supplementary Feeding Program

SFPE Society of Fire Protection Engineers

SFPUC San Francisco Public Utility Commission 

SFRS Seismic-Force-Resisting System 

SFSO Senior Financial Services Officer

SFSP Summer Food Service Program 

SG

 Secretary General 

 Specification Group 

 Surgeon General

SGE Special Government Employee

SGIP Smart Grid Interoperability Panel 

SGML Standard Generalized Markup Language

SGTP Society of Government Travel Professionals

SGTR Steam Generator Tube Rupture

SGTS Standard Gas Treatment System

SHA  Secure Hash Algorithm

 Senior Humanitarian Advisor (USAID) 

SHARE Safety, Health and Return-to-Employment
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

385 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SHARES Shared Resource (NCS high frequency radio 

network)

SHARP Strategic Health IT Advanced Research Projects 

SHCP Strategic Human Capital Plan

SHEF Standard Hydrologic Exchange Format Code 

SHELDUS Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for 

the United States 

SHFT Sheltering and Housing Field Team

SHHS Secretary of Health and Human Services 

SHIELD Strategic Hazards Identification Evaluation for 

Leadership Decisions

SHIRA Strategic Homeland Infrastructure Risk 

Assessment

SHMO State Hazard Mitigation Officer

SHMP State Hazard Mitigation Program

SHO

 Safety and Health Official

 State Health Officer

 Senior Health Official 

SHP Shapefile (geospatial vector data format for GIS 

software) 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

SHSAS State Homeland Security Assessment and 

Strategy

SHSEEP State Homeland Security Exercise and 

Evaluation Program

SHSI Sensitive Homeland Security Information

SHSP State Homeland Security Program

SHSS State Homeland Security Strategy

SHWT Safety and Health Working Team 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

386 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SI

 Secure Identification 

 Special Interest 

 Smoke Inhalation 

SIA

 Special Interest Alien

 Social Impact Assessment 

 Station of Initial Assignment 

SIAM Structure Ignition Assessment Model

SICCL State Incident Communications Coordination or 

Conference Line 

SICG Senior Interagency Coordination Group

SICPS Standard Integrated Command Post Shelter 

SID  Station Identifier

 System Identifier

SIDA  Security Identification Display Area

 Swedish International Development Agency 

SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 

SIEC State Interoperability Executive Committee

SIED Special Improvised Explosive Device

Sierra Phonetic Alphabet for S 

SIES Office of Strategic Industries and Economic 

Security

SIF

 Selective Identification Feature 

 Standard Interchange Format

 System Integrator Forum 

 Source Image Format 

SIG

 Signal 

 Senior Interdepartmental Group 

 Strategic Implementation Group 

 Special Interest Group(s) 

sig Signature
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

387 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SIGB Statewide Interoperability Governance Body 

SIGINT 

 Signals Intelligence

 Signals Intelligence Systems Acquisition 

Directorate (NRO)

SIGMET Significant Meteorological Information

SIGSEC Signals Security 

SII Security/Suitability Investigations Index

SIIA Software and Information Industry Association

SIMBAD Sensor Integration and Modeling for Biological 

Agent Detection

SIMCELL Simulation Cell

SIMCEN Simulation Center

SIMWYE Reversible Siamese (NWCG) (type of hose 

fitting) 

SIN Standing Information Needs 

SIO  Senior Infrastructure Officer

 Senior Intelligence Officer 

SIOC 

 Strategic Information and Operations Center 

(FBI) 

 Space Information Operations Directorate 

(DOD) 

SIOP Single Integrated Operational Plan 

SIP

 Shelter Implementation Plan 

 Shelter-In-Place

 Sooner If Possible (similar to ASAP) 

 State Implementation Plan 

 Strategic Inflection Point 

 Streamlined Inspection Program

SIPRNET Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (DOD)

SIR Signal to Interference Ratio 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

388 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SIRIXS Secure Infrastructure for Rapid Information 

Exchange Solution

SIS Small Island States 

SISP Single Integrated Space Picture (DOD)

SISSSC

Senior Information Sharing and Safeguarding 

Steering Committee (White House Interagency 

Committee) 

SIT Situation Reporting System

SIT REPORT Interagency Management Situation Report

SITL Situation Unit Leader

SITMAN Situation Manual

SitRep Situation Report

SITROOM Situation Room

SITSTAT Situation Status

SJA  Safe Job Analysis (hazardous workplaces) 

 Strategy, Justification and Approval

SL  Senior Level

 Social Listening

S&L  Savings and Loan

 State and Local

SLA  Service Level Agreement

 State and Local Assistance

SLAR Side-Looking Airborne Radar

SLB Senior Leader Brief 

SLBM Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

SLC

 Subscriber Line Carrier

 Senior Logistics Consultant/Contractor 

 State Level Coordinator 

 System Life Cycle 

SLCGP State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

389 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SLEA Senior Law Enforcement Advisor 

SLE State and Local Exercise

Sleeping Dragon

Term used to identify a barrier of protesters 

who have linked themselves to one another to 

cause disruption

S/L EM State/Local Emergency Management 

SLEP State and Local Exercise Program

SLFC State and Local Fusion Center

SLG State and Local Guide

SLGCP

Obsolete: Office of State and Local Government 

Coordination and Preparedness

Replaced by: NPPD

SLICERS

Size Up Scene, Locate Fire, Identify and Control 

Flow Path, Cool Heated Space, Extinguish Fire, 

Rescue and Salvage 

S/L LE State and Local Law Enforcement

SLM Sound Level Meter

SLO State Liaison Officer

SLOSH Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from 

Hurricanes

SLP State and Local Program

SLPA Sea Level Pressure Anomaly

SLPS Obsolete: State and Local Programs and 

Support Directorate

SLR Sea Level Rise 

SLR  State Liaison Representative

 Social Listening Report

SLRFC State, Local and Regional Fusion Center

SLSAC State and Local Officials Senior Advisory 

Committee

SLT State, Local and Tribal
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

390 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SLTT State, Local, Tribal and Territorial

SLTTGCC State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Government 

Coordinating Council 

SLUDGEM Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, 

Gastric Distress, Emesis and Mitosis

SM  Shelter Management

 Student Manual

SMA  Software Maintenance Agreement 

 State Mutual Aid 

SMAC State Mapping Advisory Committee

SMAD Space Mission Analysis and Design 

SMARA Survivor Mobile Application Reporting Analysis 

SMART

 Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic 

and Timely

 Survivor Mobile Application Reporting Tool 

SMB Secretary's Morning Brief

SMC Specialty/Specialized Management Center

SMCC System Management Control Center

SME Subject Matter Expert

SME PED Secure Mobile Environment Portable Electronic 

Device

SMG Specialty Management Group

SMHA State Mental Health Agency

SMI

 Safety Management Institute

 Severe Mental Illness 

 Smithsonian Institute

S-MIME Secure MIME

SMJ Smokejumper

SMMA Standard Mitigation Measures Agreement

SMO Security Management Office
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

391 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SMP State Mitigation Plan

SMPS Switch Mode Power Supply 

SMPTE Society of Motion Picture and Television 

Engineers

SMRS Specialized Mobile Radio System 

SMS

 Short Message Service (also known as text 

messaging)

 Software Management System

 Systems Management Server 

SMSA Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area

SMSD State-Managed Small Disaster

SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

SMU  Shelter Management Unit

 Special Mission Unit 

SMURC Satellite Mobile US&R Resupply Cache

SN Serial Number

SNA  Survivable Network Analysis 

 Social Network Analysis 

SNAP  Significant New Alternatives Policy 

 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

SNJTK Special Needs Jurisdiction Tool Kit 

SNL Sandia National Laboratory

SNM Special/Specific Nuclear Material

SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol

SNO Statement of No Objection 

SNOMED Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine

SNPRM Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(see ANPRM and NPRM) 

SNR Signal to Noise (S/N) Ratio 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

392 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SNRA Strategic National Risk Assessment 

SNS Strategic National Stockpile (CDC)

SNSEE School for National Security Executive 

Education (NDU)

S number Supply number

SNWDI Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information

SO

 Safety Officer

 Sheriff’s Office

 Significant Other 

 Supervisor's Office 

 System Owner 

SOA  Safe Operating Area 

 Service Oriented Architecture

SOAP  Simple Object Access Protocol

 Spectrometric Oil Analysis Program 

SOB

 Shortness of Breath 

 Souls On Board (communicates the number 

of living humans on board a ship or aircraft)

SOBA States Organization for Boating Access 

SOC

 Secretary's Operations Center (HHS)

 Security Operations Center (DHS)

 State Operations Center

 Space Operations Command 

 Standard(s) of Care 

SOCA Seed Key-ONLY COMSEC Account

SOCMA Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers 

Association

SOE

 Senior Officials Exercise (DHS Exercise 

Evaluation Program (DHS-EEP)

 Summary of Expenses

SOF  Special Operations Force

 Strength Of Function 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

393 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SOF1, SOF2 Safety Officer Type 1, Type 2 (NWCG)

SOFA Status of Forces Agreement 

SOFE Second-Order Fire Effects (NWCG) (the 

secondary effects from a fire event) 

SOFR Safety Officer, Line (NWCG)

SOG  Seat of Government

 Standard Operating Guideline

SOI Southern Oscillation Index

SOIC Senior Official of the Intelligence Community

SOJTF Special Operations Joint Task Force 

SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea

SOLGEN Solicitor General

SOLIC Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict 

SOLRAD Solar Radiation

SOMA Summary of Map Actions

SON Statement of Need

SONAR Sound Navigation and Ranging

SONET Synchronous Optical Network

SONS Spill of National Significance

SOO  Statement of Objective

 Senior Operations Officer

SOP  Safe Operating Procedure

 Standard/Standing Operating Procedure

SoP Scope of Practice 

SOPEP Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

SOR, SoR Statement of Requirements

SORDS Stand-Off Radiation Detection System

SORH State Offices of Rural Health 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

394 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SORN System of Record Notice

SORS Spilled Oil Recovery Systems

SOS

 Code Visual or Auditory Distress Signal) Save 

Our Souls or Save Our Ship (International 

Morse 

 Software Operating System

 Status of Studies

SOSC  State On-Scene Coordinator

 Strategic Operations Section Chief 

SOU  Special Operations Unit 

 Statement of Understanding 

SOUTHCOM United States Southern Command

SOW  Statement of Work

 Scope of Work 

SP

 Shore Patrol 

 Single Pedestal (FEMA Structural Elevation)

 Spanish 

 Standard Procedure 

 State Police 

SPAWAR Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center

SPC  Storm Prediction Center

 Specification 

SPCA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

SPD Special Programs Division (S&T)

SPE  Skill Performance Evaluation

 Strategic Planning and Evaluation

SPEGL Short-term Public Emergency Guidance Level

SPEI Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration 

Index 

SPEMAMA State and Province Emergency Management 

Assistance Memorandum of Agreement 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

395 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SPEN State Police Emergency Network

SPG  Senior Policy Group

 Strategic Planning Guide

SPII Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information

SPIRIT Security, Planning and Integrated Resources for 

Information Technology

SPL Single Pedestal Left 

SPLASH Special Program to List the Amplitude of Surge 

from Hurricanes

SPM System Programming and Maintenance

SPMG Supply Manager 

SPD State Police Department 

SPO

 Security and Protection Officer 

 Senior Program Officer 

 Shore Patrol Officer 

 Strategic Planning Office 

SPOC  Single Point of Contact

 Staffing Point of Contact

SPOD Seaport of Debarkation

SPOE Seaport of Embarkation

SPOT

 Satellite Positioning and Tracking

 Screening of Passengers by Observation 

Techniques

 Single Point Order Tracking 

SPOTREP Spot Report (one-time reports used to transmit 

intelligence or information of immediate value) 

SPP

 Screening Partnership Program (TSA) 

 Security Policies and Procedures 

 State Partnership Program (United States

National Guard) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

396 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SPR

 Single Pedestal Right 

 Special Problem Report

 Stakeholder Preparedness Review 

 Strategic Petroleum Reserve

SPRB Senior Performance Review Board

SPRL Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory

SPSCIF Semi-Permanent Sensitive Compartmented 

Information Facility

SPSP Supply Specialist 

SPUL Supply Unit Leader

SPWC Space Weather Prediction Center 

SQ

 Signal Quality 

 Squadron 

 Square 

SQL Structured Query Language

SR Single Resource 

SRA

 Safe Refuge Area

 Society for Risk Analysis

 State Resource Area

SRB Surf Rescue Boat

SRC Source

SRD  Self-Reading Dosimeter

 System Reference Document 

SRF Service Response Force

SRFC Service Response Force Commander

SRFX Service Response Force Exercise

SRIA Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 

SRL Severe Repetitive Loss (Disaster/Hazard 

Mitigation) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

397 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SRM Service Reference Model

SROE  Safety Rules of Engagement 

 Standing Rules of Engagement

SRP Scientific Resolution Panel 

SRR Search and Rescue Region 

SRSC Strategic Review Steering Committee

SRSO State Radiation Safety Officer 

SRSP Search and Rescue Specialist 

SRSS Square Root Sum of The Squares 

SRT

Search Rescue Team

Supplemental Response Team

SRU Search and Rescue Unit 

SRUL Search and Rescue Unit Leader 

SRUF Standing Rules for the Use of Force

SRV Safety Relief Value

SRWG Site Remediation Working Group

SS

 System Supervisor 

 Social Security 

 Sub-Station 

 Sterile Solution 

SSA

 Sector-Specific Agency

 Self-Storage Association

 Senior State Advisor

 Social Security Administration

 Standard Service Agreement 

 Survivable Systems Analysis

 State Staging Area

SSAA System Security Authorization Agreement

SSAN Social Security Account Number 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

398 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SSAS Strategic Sourcing and Acquisition Systems

SSB Single Side Band (sideband modulation use for 

radio communications)

SSBI Single-Scope Background Investigation

SSBN Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine 

SSC

 Scientific Support Coordinator

 Sector Coordinating Councils (DHS) 

 Seismic Safety Commission of the State of 

California 

 Senior Site Controller

 Small-Scale Contingencies 

 Strategic Storage Center

SSCJ San Diego Sector Command Center Joint

SSD Systems Support Division

SSE Safe Shutdown Earthquake

SSF Spectral Shape Factor (Seismic Risk Analysis)

SSFSD Secret Service Forensic Sciences Division

SSG

 Senior Steering Group 

 Services Specification Group 

 Strategic Sourcing Group

SSHP Site Safety and Health Plan 

SSHS

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale (a 1 to 5 rating 

based on an Atlantic hurricane's sustained wind 

speed)

SSI  Sensitive Security Information 

 Supplemental Security Income

SSL Secure Socket Layer

SSM  Shelf Stable Meals 

 System Status Management 

SSN  Social Security Number

 Space Surveillance Network 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

399 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SSO  Special Security Officer

 Standards Setting Organization 

SSP

 Sector-Specific Plan

 Security Support Specialist 

 System Safety Plan 

 Sheltering and Services Program

SSR

 Search and Rescue Region 

 Security Survey Report

 Special Security Representative

SSS  Selective Service System

 Small Structure Survey

SS-SATCOM Slow Speed Satellite Communicator

SSSC State School Safety Centers 

SSSE State Support Service Element

SST

 Safe Secure Transport

 Sea-Surface Temperature

 Shelter Survey Technician

 Super-Sonic Transport

S&T  Science and Technology

 DHS Science and Technology Directorate 

ST

 Security Target 

 Strike Team 

 State and Tribal

ST ISAC Surface Transportation Information Sharing and 

Analysis Center

STA Special Temporary Authority

STAC Science and Technology Advisory Committee

STAFFORD ACT Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 

Emergency Assistance Act

STAM Staging Area Manager

STANAG Standardization Agreement (NATO)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

400 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

STAR

 Science to Achieve Results

 Science-based Threat Analysis and 

Response Program

 Strategic Threat and Action Report

 Studies, Training, Analysis and Research

STARC State Area Command

STARS Standard Terminal Automation Replacement 

System

START

 Scientific and Technical Advisory and 

Response Team

 Scientific and Technical Analysis and 

Response Team

 Security Through Advanced Research and 

Technology

 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty 

 Superfund Technical Assessment and 

Response Team

STARTEAM Specialized Target Area Registration Team

STARTEX Start of Exercise

State/CMS United States State Department’s Office of 

Crisis Management Support 

STATEX Statutory Exclusion

STATREP Status Report

STB  Science and Technology Board 

 Surface Transportation Board

STBD Staging Area Branch Director 

STC

 Satellite Teleregistration Center

 Secure the Cities

 State Coordinator

STCC Standard Transportation Commodity Code

STCR Strike Team Leader Crew

STCW Standards of Training, Certification and Watch 

keeping [for Seafarers]
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

401 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

STD Sexually Transmitted Disease 

STDO Security Technology Deployment Office

ST-DOSE Source Term to Dose

STDZ Strike Team Leader Dozer

STE Secure Telephone/Terminal Equipment

STEL Short-Term Exposure Limit

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and 

Mathematics

STEMI ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction 

STEN Strike Team Leader Engine

STEP

 Security Training Exercise Program

 Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power 

 Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (DOS) 

 State Tribal Education Program

STGS Staging Area Group Supervisor 

STI Sexually Transmitted Infection 

STIX Structured Threat Information eXpression 

STL Strike team leader

STLM Strike Team Leader Military

STLMT Settlement 

STMT Statement 

STO Special Technical Operations

STOC Sniper Tactical Operations Center 

STOL Short Takeoff and Landing (Aircraft) 

STOLS System to Locate Survivors

STOP Strategy for Targeting Organized Piracy

STOP PAY Stop Payment Form
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

402 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

STP  Standard Temperature and Pressure

 Standards Technical Panel 

STPL Strike Team Leader Tractor/Plow 

STPS Structural Protection Specialist

STQ Screening Threshold Quantities

STR  Shoreline Treatment Recommendation 

 Suspicious Transaction Report

STRATCOM Strategic Command

STRK Suitability Tacker (used by FEMA Inspection 

Services for work in the field)

STSC Student and Schools System

STU  Satellite Transmission Unit

 Secure Telephone Unit

STUDS Small Tactical Ubiquitous Detection Sensors

STU-III Secure Telephone Unit – Third Generation

STU-IV Secure Telephone Unit – Fourth Generation

STVE Strike Team Leader, Vessel 

STX Situational Training Exercise 

SUA

 Shared Use Agreement 

 Special Use Airspace

 Specified Unlawful Activities

SUBD Support Branch Director

SUI Sensitive Unclassified Information

SUL Situation Unit Leader

SUM Software User’s Manual

SUMA Supply Management

SUMMIT Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping and

Integration Toolkit 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

403 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SUPREPS Supplemental Reports Created by Officer in 

Charge 

SUPSALV Supervisor of Salvage

SUV Sport Utility Vehicle

Sv 1 Sievert (=100 rem) 

S/V Sailing Vessel 

SVA Supplemental Vertical Accuracy (Remote 

Sensing and Geospatial Data Acquisition)

SVBD Service Branch Director

svc Service

SVC Switched Virtual Circuits

SVCL Disaster Survivor Assistance Crew Leader 

SVG Scalable Vector Graphics Filename Extension 

SVI Social Vulnerability Index

SVIS Secure Video System

SVOS Secure Voice System

SVSS Small Vessel Security Strategy

SVT Survivors of Violence and Torture

SVTC Secure Video Teleconference

SVTS Secure Video Teleconferencing System 

SW

 Social Worker

 Soil and Water

 Southwest

 Storm Water

SWaM Small, Woman Owned and Minority Business 

SWAM, SAM Software Asset Management 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

404 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

SWAT

 Special Weapons and Tactics (law 

enforcement)

 Special Weapons and Training

 Strategic Workforce Augmentation Team 

SWBCWG Southwest Border Communications Working 

Group 

SWC Severe Weather Center

SWCC Southwest Coordination Center 

SW-CMM Software Capability Maturity Model 

SWEL Stillwater Flood Elevation

SWFL Stillwater Flood Level

SWG

 Scenario Working Group

 Security Working Group

 Standards Working Group 

SWGDE Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence

SWGFACT Scientific Working Group for Forensic Analysis 

of Chemical Terrorism/Threats

SWH Significant Wave Height 

SWIC  Statewide Interoperable Communications 

 Statewide Interoperability Coordinator 

SWIS Satellite Weather Information System

SWO Senior Watch Officer

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and

Threats 

SWP  State Warning Point

 State Weekends Program

SWS Severe Weather Statement

SWSA Semantic Web Services Architecture
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

405 

T: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

t Tonne

T2 Top Officials Exercise/TOPOFF 2

TA

 Table of Allowances

 Technical Assistance

 Time and Attendance

 Travel Authorization

T&A Time and Attendance

TAC

 Obsolete: Tactical Air Command (USAF)

Replaced by: Air Combat Command (ACC)

 Tactical Channels (radio) 

 Technical Advisory Committee

 Technical Assistance Contract/Contractor

TAC-G Tribal Assistance Coordination Group 

TACACS Terminal Access Controller Access Control 

System

TACAN Tactical Air Navigation System 

TACC Tanker Airlift Control Center 

TACC Training Academy Charter Committee

TAC-DESK Tactical Desk

TACEX Tactical Exercise

TACLET Tactical Law Enforcement Team

TACOM Tactical Command 

TACON Tactical Control

TAC-SMC Tactical Specialized Management Center

TAD Technical Assistance Division

TADS  Threat Assessment Database System

 Training Aids for Dam Safety

TAES Tactical Aero-medical Evacuation System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

406 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TAFA Terrorism and Foreign Assassination

TAFIM Technical Architecture Framework for 

Information Management

TAFT Test, Analyze, Fix and Test

TAG

 Technology and Architecture Group

 The Adjutant General

 Threat Advisory Group

TAI

 International Atomic Time (Temps Atomique 

International) 

 TSA Approved Instructor (TSA) 

TAIS Telecommunications and Automated 

Information Systems

TAISS Telecommunications and Automated 

Information Systems Security 

TALCE Tanker Airlift Control Element 

Tango Phonetic Alphabet for T 

TAOS The Arbiter of Storms

TAP Task Analysis Plan

TAPS Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

TAR

 Tone-Alert Radio

 Tribal Chief Executive’s Authorized 

Representative

TARP Troubled Asset Relief Program

TARS  Tethered Aerostat Radar System

 Tone-Alert Radios

TASP Training and Administrative Specialist

TAT Technical Assistance Team

TATP Triacetone-Triperoxide (an explosive) 

TAV Technical Assistance Visit (DPETAP/NDPC)

Total Asset Visibility
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

407 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TAVISS Targeted Violence Information Sharing System

TB

 Tank Barge (water vessel transporting bulk 

liquids) 

 Technical Bulletin 

 Tuberculosis 

 Terabyte (either 1,000 or 1,024 Gigabytes) 

TB Med Technical Bulletin (Medical) 

TBA  Thyroid Blocking Agent

 To Be Announced

TBD  To Be Determined

 To Be Defined 

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury 

TBM  Temporary BenchMark

 Tunnel Boring Machine 

TBP To be Published

TBR Travel Business Roundtable

TC Technical Committee

T&C Time and Cost

TC3 Tactical Combat Casualty Care 

T-CAR Tribal Capability Assessment for Readiness

TCC

 Tele-Communications Center

 Telephone Contact Center

 Traffic Control Center

 Training and Certification Committee 

 Transportable Communications Center

 TSA Telephone Contact Center

TCCC Tactical Combat Casualty Care 

TCD Tropical Cyclone Discussion

TCG Obsolete: THIRA Coordination Group (Threat 

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

408 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TCGP Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program

TCL Target Capabilities List

TCO Territorial Coordinating Officer

TCOP Tactical Common Operating Picture

TCP

 Tele-Communications Priorities

 Theater Campaign Plan 

 Traffic Control Point

 Transmission Control Protocol

TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol 

TCR Total Case Rate

TCS

 Tactical Control System

 Tracking and Correspondence System 

(Standard Flood Hazard)

TCSA Tribal Coordination Support Annex (Bureau of 

Indian Affairs Emergency Management) 

TCTC Toxic Chemical Training Course 

TCTL Tactical Communications Task Force Leader 

TCU

 Threat Containment Unit 

 Transportation Coordination Unit

 Tribal Colleges and Universities

TCV Total Containment Vessel

TDC

 Technical Data Center 

 Theater Deployable Communications

 Total Development Cost 

 Travel Document Checker

TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf

TDEA Triple Data Encryption Algorithm 

TDFM Traffic Demand Forecast Model

TDI Tactical Display Interface

TDIS Travel Document Issuance System
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

409 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TDMA Time Division Multiple Access (a Process of 

Sharing a Single Radio Channel) 

TDO Typhoon Duty Officer

TDRC  Tribal Disaster Recovery Center Coordinator 

 Tribal Disaster Recovery Coordinator 

TDS Time, Distance and Shielding

TDY Temporary Duty

TE

 Terminal Equipment (Communications 

Equipment at Either End of a 

Communications Link) 

 Targeted Enforcement 

T&E

 Test and Evaluation

 Threatened and Endangered

 Training and Exercise

TEAM-CPR Thermal, Etiological, Asphyxiation, Mechanical, 

Chemical, Psychological and Radioactive

TECC Tactical Emergency Casualty Care 

TECS Treasury Enforcement Communications System

TED  Total Effective Dose

 Office of Training, Exercise and Doctrine 

TED-EX Office of Training, Exercise and DoctrineExercise Unit 

TEDE Total Effective Dose Equivalent

TEEM Training Excellence Emergency Management

TEEX Texas Engineering Extension Service

TEFAP The Emergency Food Assistance Program 

TEI Training and Exercise Integration (Division)

TEL Transporter Erector Launcher

TELECOM Telecommunications 

TELINT Telemetry Intelligence 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

410 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TELL Office of Training, Exercises and Lessons 

Learned

TELNET Tele-conference Network

TEMA Tennessee Emergency Management Agency 

TEMAC Tribal Emergency Mutual Aid Compact 

TEMCC Tribal Emergency Management Coordinating 

Council

TEMG Telecom Manager 

TEMP  Temporary Employee

 Test and Evaluation Master Plan

TEMPEST Obsolete Codename

Replaced by: Emission Security (EMSEC)

TEMS Tactical Emergency Medical Support 

TENCAP Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities

TEOAF Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture

TEOC

 Tele-Engineering Operations Center

 Transportation Emergency Operations 

Center

TEP

 Tracking Emergency Patients (see EDXL-TEP) 

 Technical Evaluation Panel 

 Training and Exercise Plan

TEPD Training, Education and Professional 

Development

TEPW Training and Exercise Planning Workshop 

TERO Tribal Employment Rights Organization

TERT Telecommunicator Emergency Response 

Taskforce

TESP Telecom Specialist 

TETRA Terrestrial Trunked Radio 

TEU Technical Escort Unit
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

411 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TEW Terrorist Early Warning (Group)

TF Task Force

TFA  Technical Focus Areas 

 Transportation Feasibility Analysis 

TFAH Trust for America’s Health

TFC/TFP Therapeutic Feeding Center/Program 

TFCC Task Force Control Center

TFER Task for Emergency Readiness

TFL  Task Force Leader

 Temporary Fuel Location

TFLD Task Force Leader

TFOPA Task Force on Optimal Public Safety Answering 

Point Architecture 

TFPL Task Force Planner

TFR Temporary Flight Restriction 

TFS Texas Forest Service

TFT Temporary Full-Time

TG Transport Group 

TH  Technological Hazards

 Temporary Housing

T/H Threat/Hazard

THA Temporary Housing Assistance

THAMIC Toxic Hazard Analysis Model for Industrial 

Chemicals

THC  Temporary Housing Checkwriter 

 Temperature and Humidity Control 

THD Technological Hazards Division 

THIRA Threat Hazard Identification and Risk 

Assessment 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

412 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

THIRA/CE Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk 

Assessment/Capability Estimate 

THO Temporary Housing Officer

THP Temporary Housing Program

THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officer 

THREAT

Threat Suppression, Hemorrhage Control, Rapid 

Extrication to Safety, Assessment by Medical 

Providers and Transport (to definitive care) 

THREATCON Threat Condition

THSGP Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program 

THSP Technical Specialist

THU Temporary Housing Unit

TIA 

 Telecommunications Industry Association 

 Terrorism Information Awareness

 Transient Ischemic Attack 

TIARA Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities

TIAS Training Information Access System

TIB Temporary Importation Bond

TIC 

 Toxic Industrial Chemical

 Trainee Incident Commander

 Thermal Imaging Cameras 

TICP Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan

TIDE Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment

TIE Trusted Identity Exchange 

TIER Treasury Information Executive Repository

TIFF Tagged Image File Format

TIG  Tetanus Immune Globulin 

 Tungsten Inert Gas (Welding) 

TIGER Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding 

and Reference (System)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

413 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TIH Toxic Inhalation Hazard

TIIDE Terrorism Injuries: Information, Dissemination 

and Exchange 

TIM  Toxic Industrial Material

 Traffic Incident Management 

TIMACS Telecommunications Inventory Management 

and Control System

TIME Time Unit Leader 

TIMS Traffic Incident Management Systems (United 

States Fire Administration)

TIN  Taxpayer Identification Number

 Triangular Irregular Network

TIOC Transportation Information Operations Center

TIP 

 Threat Image Projection

 Threat Image Protection

 Trafficking in Persons 

TIPOFF Terrorism Information Program (DOS) 

TIPS Terrorism Information and Prevention System

TIPT Tapered Iron Pipe Thread 

TIR Technical Input Report 

TIROS Television and Infrared Observation Satellite

TISD Transportation Infrastructure Security Division

TISP The Infrastructure Security Partnership

Title 10 U.S. Code

Authorizes the President to federalize and then 

mobilizing National Guard forces under Title 10 

United States Code 

Title 32 U.S. Code

Authorizes a Governor to order their state 

National Guard forces to be activated to 

perform, or in support of, Homeland Defense 

activities under Title 32 United States Code 

TKB Terrorism Knowledge Base 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

414 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TKSP Tracking Specialist 

TL

 Team Leader

 Time Lag 

 Truckload

TLC Obsolete: Territory Logistics Center 

TLC-C Obsolete: Territory Logistics Center- Central 

TLC-E Obsolete: Territory Logistics Center- East 

TLC-W Obsolete: Territory Logistics Center- West 

TLD Thermo-Luminescent Dosimeter

TLO Tribal Liaison Officer 

TLS Transport Layer Security

TLV Threshold Limit Value

TM

 Technical Manual 

 Technical Monitor 

 Trademark

TMARS Team Management and Rostering System

TMC

 Transportation Management Center

 Trauma Managers Council 

 Travel Management Center

TMCG Transportation and Movement Coordination 

Group 

TMI Three Mile Island

TMRC Tribal Medical Reserve Corps 

TMS  Training Management System

 Traffic Management Specialist

TMT

 Threat Monitoring Team 

 Traffic Management Team

 Training Management Team

 Training Management Tool 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

415 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TNA Training Needs Assessment

TNC Terminal Node Controller

TNF Technical Nuclear Forensics

TNM The National Map (United States Geological 

Survey) 

TNO Theater Nuclear Option 

TNSP  Training Specialist

 Transportation Services Specialist 

TNT Trinitrotoluene (Explosive Nitrogen Compound)

TO

 Table of Organization 

 Technical Order 

 Theater of Operations (DOD) 

 Travel Order 

TOA  Time of Arrival

 Transportation Operating Agency

TOC 

 Table of Contents

 Tactical Operations Center

 Tactical Operators Course 

 Traffic Operations Center

TOCDF Tooele Chemical Disposal Facility

TOD 

 Take-Off Distance 

 Thermal on Demand (Thermal Imaging) 

 Time of Death 

 Time of Delivery 

 Time of Departure 

TOE  Target of Evaluation 

 Time of Event 

TOGAF The Open Group Architecture Framework 

TOI  Target of Interest 

 Time of Impact 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

416 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TOLC Take-Off and Landing Coordinator

TONO Travel Order Number 

TOP 

 Technical Operations Plan 

 Tactical Operational Period 

 Temporary Occupation Permit 

TOPOFF 

Obsolete: Top Officials (national-level exercise 

series 2000-2009) 

Replaced by: the National Level Capstone 

Exercises 

TOR 

 Task Order Request 

 Terms of Reference 

 Tornado 

 Transfer of Responsibility 

TOS Transfer of Station 

TOSC Tactical On-Scene Commander 

TOSO Tribal On-Scene Coordinator 

TOT Time on Target

TP Time Period

TPC Tropical Prediction Center

TPED Tasking, Processing, Exploitation and 

Dissemination

TPEP Terrorism Prevention Exercise Program

TPFDD Time-Phased Force Deployment Data

TPFDL Time-Phased Force Deployment List

TPI  Two-Person Integrity

 Threads per Inch 

TPM Trading Partner Management (System)

TPO  Technical Program Officer

 Transition Planning Office

TPOC Training Point of Contact
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

417 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TPOP Tractor Plow Operator

TPP Thermal Protective Performance

TPPB Terrorism Production Planning Board (United 

States National Counter-Terrorism Center) 

TPS Temporary Protected Status (USCIS/USICE)

TQ Tourniquet 

TQSP Training FEMA Qualification System (FQS) 

Specialist 

TR

 Team Rubicon (NGO) 

 Technical Report 

 Technical Resources 

 Transportation Request 

TRA Technical Review Authority (Subject Matter 

Expert) 

TRAC2ES TRANSCOM Regulating and Command and 

Control Evacuation System

TRACEM Thermal, Radioactive, Asphyxiation, Chemical, 

Etiological and Mechanical

TRADE Training Resources And Data Exchange

TRADOC Training and Doctrine Command (United States

Army)

TRAGIS Transportation Routing Analysis Geographic 

Information System

TRAM Transit Risk Assessment Methodology

TRANS Transportation 

TransCAER Transportation Community Awareness 

Emergency Response

TRANSCOM

 Tracking Communications System (Nuclear 

Radiological Incident) 

 Transportation Command (DOD)

 Transportation Operations Coordinating 

Committee (for Metro New York, New Jersey, 

Connecticut) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

418 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TRANSEC Transmission Security (a component of 

communications security) 

TRATEAMS Training Teams 

TRAVEL Transportation Risk Assessment and 

Vulnerability Evaluation Tool

TRB Transportation Research Board 

TRC  Technology Review Committee

 Telephone Response Center

TREAS Department of the Treasury (United States

Federal Government)

TRES Department of Treasury (United States Federal 

Government)

TRI Toxic Release Inventory 

TRIA Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (PLCY/PSO)

TRICS Telephone to Radio Interface Communications 

System

TRIP  Transit and Rail Inspection Pilot (TSA)

 Traveler Redress Inquiry Program

TRIPS Travel Reporting and Information Processing 

System

TRM Technical Reference Model

TRMG Training Manager

TRNL Training Unit Leader

TRO  Transient Accommodations Only

 Transitional Recovery Office

TROPAN Tropical Analysis Facsimile Network

TROR Treasury Report on Receivables

TRP

 Tactical Response Plan

 Technical Review Panel 

 Transponder 

 Troop 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

419 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TRPB Tractor/Plow Boss

TRR Test Readiness Review

TRSP Training Specialist

TRT Tactical Response Team

TS

 Technical Specification 

 Thunderstorm 

 Top Secret

 Transfer System

 Tropical Storm

TS/SCI Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented 

Information

TSA

 The Salvation Army 

 Transitional Sheltering Assistance 

 Transportation Security Administration

TSAAC Transportation Security Administration's Access 

Certificate

TSAC Towing Safety Advisory Committee

TSAG Transportation Safety Advancement Group

Replaces: Public Safety Advisory Group (PSAG) 

TSAI Transitional Sheltering Assistance Information 

TSAR

 Technical Search and Rescue 

 Transportation Security Administration 

Representative (DHS)

TSARM TSA Self-Assessment Risk Module

TSB  Technical Services Branch

 Training Support Brigade

TSC

 Technical Steering Committee 

 Technical Support Center 

 Terrorist Screening Center (FBI)

 Transportation Security Clearinghouse

TSCA Toxic Substance Control Act
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

420 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TSCC Transportation Security Command Center (TSA)

TSCM  Technical Security Countermeasure

 Technical Surveillance Countermeasures

TSCO  Traffic Safety Control Officer 

 Transportation Security Operations Center 

TSD

 Technical Services Division

 Test and Evaluation Standards Division (DHS 

S&T) 

TSDB Terrorist Screening Data Base

TSDN Technical Support Data Notebook

TSDR Toxic Substance and Disease Registry

TSER Total Static Economic Resilience 

TSF  Temporary Storage Facility 

 Tons per Square Foot 

TSG Technical Specification Group 

TSGP Transit Security Grant Program

TSI Transportation Security Inspector

TSIS Transportation Security Intelligence Service

TSK Transmission Security Key (part of 

communication transmission security) 

TSL Transportation Security Laboratory

TSMG Transportation Manager 

TSN Trade Support Network

TSNM Transportation Sector Network Management 

(TSA)

TSO  Transportation Security Officer

 Transportation Security Operations Center 

TSOC Transportation Security Operations Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

421 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TSP

 Telecommunications Service Priority

 Thrift Savings Plan

 Total Suspended Particulates

 Training Support Package

 Transit Security Program

TSPSOC Telecommunications Service Priority/System 

Oversight Committee

TSR  Telecommunications Service Request

 Teleregistration Service Representative

TSRI Transitional Sheltering Assistance 

Reimbursement 

TSRN Transitional Sheltering Assistance 

Reimbursement Not Eligible 

TSS Temporary Storage Site

TSSP  Training Support Specialist 

 Transportation Sector Specific Plan

TSU Technical Support Unit 

TSUL Transportation Service Unit Leader 

TSWA Temporary Secure Working Area

TSWG Technical Support Working Group

TT Travel Trailer

TT&E Training, Testing and Exercising

TTAC Terrorist Threat Assessment and Credentialing

TTAP Tribal Technical Assistance Program 

TTC  Technical Training Center

 Time To Complete

TTD Teletype Writing Device for the Deaf

TTF Terrorism Task Force

TTIC Terrorism/Terrorist Threat Integration Center

TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

422 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TTP Tactics, Techniques and Procedures

TTPP Transportation Threat Protection Program

TTS Tailored Trustworthy Space (security in a 

cyberspace environment)

TTT Train the Trainer

TTWS Terrorist Threat Warning System (DHS) 

TTX Tabletop Exercise

TTY Teletypewriter (allows for type text messages 

over the telephone)

TUAV Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

TUH Two Unit Housing

TUTT Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough

TV

 Terminal Velocity (a free-falling object’s 

speed travelling through air, gas or liquid) 

 Transport Vehicles 

 Travel Voucher 

T/V Tank Vessel

TVA Tennessee Valley Authority

TVIS Threat Vulnerability Integration System

TVM Threat-Vulnerability Mapper

TVMG Travel Manager 

TVSP Travel Specialist 

TVTA Threat and Vulnerability, Testing and 

Assessment

TWA Time Weighted Average

TWD Tropical Weather Discussion

TWG  Technical Working Group

 Terrorist Working Group

TWh Terawatt-hours (Unit of Measure for Electric 

Power) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

423 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

TWIC Transportation Workers Identification Credential

TWL Total Water Level 

TWOV Transit Without Visa Program (DOS)

TWP Township 

TWPDES Terrorist Watchlist Person Data Exchange 

Standard 

U: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

U Chemical Symbol for Uranium 

U5MR Under-5 Mortality Rate 

UA

 Universal Adversary

 Unmanned Aircraft 

 Urban Area 

 User Authentication 

UAA Uncontrolled Access Area 

UAC  Unified Area Command 

 Unaccompanied Child or Children 

UACG Unified Area Coordination Group

UAP User Access Point 

UAS Unmanned Aircraft System 

UASI Urban Area Security Initiative 

UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

UAV ESG UAV Executive Steering Group

UAWG Urban Area Working Group

UBC Uniform Building Code

UBR Universal Business Registry
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

424 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UC  Unemployment Compensation

 Unified Command

UCC Unified Combatant Command

UCD

Umatilla Chemical Depot (a United States Army 

Installation in Oregon that Stored Chemical 

Weapons)

UCG Unified Coordination Group 

UCGIS University Consortium for Geographic 

Information Science

UC/IC Unified Command/Incident Command

UCP  Unified Command Plan

 Unified Command Post

UCS  Unified Command System

 Unified Coordination Staff 

UCT

 Unified Command Team

 Universal Coordinated Time (also ZULU 

Time)

UD Unified Defense

UDA Undocumented Aliens

UDDI Universal Description, Discovery and Integration

UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UDOP User Defined Operational Picture 

UDP  Urban Dispersion Program

 User Datagram Protocol 

UEC Unauthorized Entry into Cuban Territorial 

Waters

UEL Upper Explosive Limit

UF6 Uranium Hexafluoride

UFAS Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards 

UFC United Facilities Criteria
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

425 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UFR Unified Federal Environmental and Historic 

Preservation Review 

UGC Universal Generic Code

UHF Ultra-High Frequency

UI

 Unemployment Insurance

 Unique Identifier

 Urban Interface 

 User Interface

UIC Unified Incident Command

UICDS Unified Incident Command and Decision 

Support

UIM User Identity Module 

UJTL Universal Joint Task List

U.K., UK United Kingdom 

UL Underwriters Laboratories

ULD Unit Loading Device

ULF Ultra-Low Frequency

ULN Unit Line Number

ULO Unliquidated Obligation

ULP Unfair Labor Practice

UMCA Umatilla Chemical Activity

UMCD Umatilla Chemical Depot

UMCOR United Methodist Committee on Relief 

UMDA Umatilla Depot Activity

UMIB Urgent Marine Information Broadcast

UML Unified Modeling Language

UMOC Unified Medical Operations Center

UMP Upward Mobility Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

426 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UMRA Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

UN United Nations

UN-CIMIC

United Nations Civil-Military Coordination (UN 

Peace Keeping and/or Disaster Response 

Operations) 

UN-CMCoord United Nations - Civil-military Coordination 

UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 

UNC Universal Naming Convention 

UNCLASS Unclassified

UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the 

Sea 

UNCT United Nations Country Team 

UNDAC United Nations Disaster Assessment and 

Coordination 

UN-DDR United Nations Disarmament, Demobilization 

and Reintegration 

UNDMT United Nations Disaster Management Team 

UNDP United Nations Development Programme 

UNDRO United Nations Disaster Relief Organization

UNDSS United Nations Department of Safety and 

Security 

UNEMPL Unemployment 

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme 

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and 

Cultural Organization 

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on 

Climate Change 

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund 

UN-Habitat United Nations Human Settlements Programme 

UNHAS United Nations Humanitarian Air Service 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

427 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UNHCHR United Nations High Commissioner for Human 

Rights 

UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for 

Refugees

UNHRD United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot 

UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund 

UNIFEM United Nations Development Fund for Women 

Uniform Phonetic Alphabet for U 

UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for 

Disaster Reduction 

UNJLC United Nations Joint Logistics Center 

UNMAP User's Network for Applied Modeling of Air 

Pollution 

UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs 

UNP Unmet Needs Program 

UNPF United Nations Population Fund 

UNRC United Nations Resident Coordinator 

UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency 

UNSCOM United Nations Special Commission

UNV United Nations Volunteers 

UO2F2 Uranyl Fluoride

UOC USACE Operations Center

UOM Unit Of Measure

UPC Universal Product Code

UPR User Profile Record

UPS

 Under Provisions of Section 

 Uninterruptible Power Supply 

 United Parcel Service
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

428 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UPT  Undergraduate Pilot Training (USAF) 

 Universal Personal Telecommunications 

URA

Uniform Relocation Act (United States

Department of Housing and Urban 

Development)

URGENT Uniform Regional Guidance Employing National 

Teams

URI

 Uniform Resource Identifier 

 Upper Respiratory Infection

 Utility Resilience Indicator 

URISA Urban and Regional Information Systems 

Association

URL Uniform Resource Locator

URN Uniform Resource Name 

URT Unified Reporting Tool 

US&R Urban Search and Rescue

US, U.S. United States 

US, U/S Under Secretary

USA  United States of America

 United States Army

USA PATRIOT Act

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing 

Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and 

Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

USACBDC United States Army Chemical and Biological 

Defense Command

USACDA United States Arms Control and Disarmament 

Agency

USACDRA United States Army Chemical Demilitarization 

and Remediation Activity

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

429 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

USACHPPM

Obsolete: United States Army Center for Health 

Promotion and Preventive Medicine

Replaced by: United States Army Public Health 

Center (USAPHC)

USACK USA Canoe/Kayak 

USACMDA United States Army Chemical Material 

Destruction Agency

USACOM

Obsolete: United States Atlantic Command

Replaced by: United States Joint Forces 

Command (USJFCOM)

USADACS United States Army Defense Artillery Center and 

School

USAEHA

Obsolete: United States Army Environmental 

Hygiene Agency

Replaced by: United States Army Center for 

Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine 

(USACHPPM)

USAF United States Air Force

USAFA United States Air Force Academy

USAFMSA United States Army Force Management Support 

Agency

U.S. AFRICOM United States Africa Command 

USAHA United States Animal Health Association

USAID United States Agency for International 

Development (DoS)

USAISC United States Army Information Systems 

Command

USA-ITA United States Association for Importers of 

Textiles and Apparel

USAMRAA United States Army Medical Research 

Acquisition Activity

USAMRICD United States Army Medical Research Institute 

of Chemical Defense

USAMRIID United States Army Medical Research Institute 

for Infectious Disease
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

430 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

USANCA United States Army Nuclear and Chemical 

Agency

USAPHC

Obsolete: Army Public Health Center

Replaced by: Army Public Health Center 

(Provisional) (APHC)

USAR  United States Army Reserve

USARPAC United States Army Pacific 

USARSDL United States Army Radiation Standards and 

Dosimetry Laboratory 

USATONS United States Aids To Navigation 

USB Universal Serial Bus 

USBP Obsolete: United States Border Patrol

Replaced by: CBP

USBR United States Bureau of Reclamation (DOI)

USC United States Citizen

U.S.C. United States Code (codification of the general 

and permanent laws of the United States) 

USCA United States Court of Appeals 

USCAP United States Civilian Aviation Partnership

USCENTCOM United States Central Command (DOD) 

US-CERT United States Computer Emergency Readiness 

Team

USCG United States Coast Guard

USCG-A, USCG-AUX United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 

USCGR United States Coast Guard Reserve

USCIRF United States Commission of International 

Religious Freedom

USCIS United States Citizenship and Immigration 

Service

USCM United States Conference of Mayors

USCOLD United States Committee On Large Dams
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

431 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

USCP United States Capitol Police

USCS Obsolete: United States Customs Service

Replaced by: CBP

USCSCFAC United States Customs Service COBRA Fees 

Advisory Committee

USCYBERCOM United States Cyber Command (DOD) 

USD (P) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy 

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USDA/CSREES

United States Department of 

Agriculture/Cooperative State Research, 

Education and Extension Service

USDOL United States Department of Labor

USDOT United States Department of Transportation

USET United South and Eastern Tribes

USEUCOM United States European Command (DOD) 

USFA United States Fire Administration 

USFS United States Forest Service

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

USG United States Government

USGBC United States Green Building Council 

USGCRP United States Global Change Research Program 

USGIF United States Geospatial Intelligence 

Foundation 

USGS United States Geological Survey

USGS-DLG

United States Geological Survey-Digital Line 

Graph (cartographic map features converted 

into a digital form)

USHS I&A Under Secretary of Homeland Security for 

Intelligence and Analysis (DHS) 

USIA United States Information Agency
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

432 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

USIA, U/SIA Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis 

USIC United States Interdiction Coordinator

USITC United States International Trade Commission

USJFCOM United States Joint Forces Command

USMC United States Marine Corps

USMCR United States Marine Corps Reserve

USML United States Munitions List

USMRICD United States Army Medical Research Institute 

of Chemical Defense

USMS United States Marshals Service

USMTF United States Message Text Format

USN United States Navy

USNCB United States National Central Bureau 

USNG  United States National Grid

 United States National Guard

USNORTHCOM United States Northern Command (DOD)

USNR United States Naval Reserve

USO

United Service Organizations (nonprofit 

assisting United States military service 

members) 

USOC United States Olympic Committee

USP Under Secretary for Preparedness

USPACOM United States Pacific Command

USPHS United States Public Health Service (HHS)

USPIS United States Postal Inspection Service

USPP United States Park Police
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

433 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

USPS

 United States Parcel Service

 United States Postal Service

 United States Power Squadrons (Non-profit 

Boating Organization)

USPTO United States Patent and Trademark Office 

USR Unit Status Report 

USS  United States Senate

 United States Ship

USSOCOM United States Special Operations Command

USSOUTHCOM United States Southern Command (DOD)

USSPACECOM United States Space Command (DOD)

USSS United States Secret Service (DHS)

USSTRATCOM United States Strategic Command (DOD)

UST Underground Storage Tank

USTR United States Trade Representative

USTRANSCOM United States Transportation Command (DOD)

USVI United States Virgin Islands

US-VISIT

Obsolete: United States Visitor and Immigrant 

Status Indicator Technology

Replaced by: Office of Biometric Identity 

Management (DHS)

USWMS Uniform State Waterway Marking System

UT User Terminal

UTC

 Unit Type Code

 Universale Temps Coordinaire (Coordinated 

Universal Time-an standardize global time 

measurements) 

 Utilities Telecom Council 

UTCP Unified Tactical Communications Program
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

434 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

UTF Unable to Fill 

UTIL BILL Utility Bill 

UTL

 Unable to Locate 

 Universal Task List 

 Utility Boat 

UTM Universal Transverse Mercator

UUV Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

UV Ultraviolet

UVI Ultraviolet Index

UVP Under Voltage Protection 

UWB Ultra-Wideband

UXO Unexploded Ordinance 

V: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

V Voltage

v volt

VA

 United States Department of Veteran’s 

Affairs

 Volcanic Ash 

 Volt Amps 

 Vulnerability Assessment

VACF Vetted Anti-Counterfeiting Forces

VACIS Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System

VACL Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) Crew Leader 

VADM Vice Admiral

VAERS Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System

VAEX Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialist Expert
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

435 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

VAGS Voluntary Agency Liaison Group Supervisor

VAL  Validation

 Voluntary Agency Liaison

VALS Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialist

VAMC Veteran’s Administration Medical Center

VASP Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialist 

VAT  Video Audio Teleconference 

 Vulnerability Assessment or Analysis Team 

VATL Voluntary Agency Liaison Task Force Leader 

VAUL Voluntary Agency Unit Leader 

VAX Virtual Address Extension

VBIED Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device

VCA Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis 

VCC Venue Control Cell 

VCOS Volunteer Chief Officer Section 

VCR Video Cassette Recorder

VCRP Vector Control Response Plan (animal or insect 

capable of transmitting human diseases) 

VCU  Vector Control Unit 

 Voluntary Agency (VOLAG) Coordination Unit

VDS Visual Distress Signal 

VDU  Visual Display Unit

 Visual Docking Unit

VEDS Vehicular Emergency Data Set

VEE Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis

VEI Volcanic Explosivity Index

VERA Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

436 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

VETCOM

Obsolete: United States Army Veterinary 

Command

Replaced by: USAPHC

VFD Volunteer Fire Department

VFIB Ventricular Fibrillation 

VFR Visual Flight Rules

VFRC Visual Flight Rules Conditions 

VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 

VG Visual Greenness 

VGA Video Graphics Adapter

VGSP Videographer Specialist

VGTOF Violent Gangs Terrorist Organization File

VHA Veterans’ Health Administration

VHF Very High Frequency

VI  United States Virgin Islands

 Visual Inspection 

VIA  By Way Of

 Visual Intelligence and Analysis 

Victor Phonetic Alphabet for V 

VID Visual Identification 

VIG Vaccinia Immune Globulin

VIK Value in Kind

VIP

 Ventilated Improved Pit (Latrine) 

 Very Important Person 

 Virtual Incident Procurement 

 Volunteer Incentive Program

VIPR Visual Intermodal Protection and Response

VIPS Volunteers in Police Service
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

437 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

VIRT Vessel Identification, Registration and Titling 

Committee 

VIS Vessel Identification System 

VISAT

Obsolete: Vulnerability Identification SelfAssessment Tool

Replaced by: Risk Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT)

VISC Visual Information Support Center

VISIT Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator 

Technology

VISN Veteran's Integrated Services Network

VISP Visual Imaging Specialist

VISTA Volunteers in Service to America

VITA Volunteers in Technical Assistance

VJPO Virtual Joint Planning Office 

VLAT Very Large Air Tanker 

VLF Very Low Frequency

VLN Virtual LAN

VLSI Very Large-Scale Integration

VMAS Vertical Map Accuracy Standard

VMAT Veterinary Medical Assistance Team

VMC Virtual Model Community

VMI Vendor Managed Inventory

VMO Veterinary Medical Officer

VMS

 Variable Message Sign 

 Virtual Memory System

 Visitor Management System 

VNN Virtual News Network

VNPSC Virginia National Processing Service Center

V&O Vision and Objectives 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

438 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

VOA Volunteers of America

VOAD Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters 

VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds 

VOCO Vocal Orders from Commanding Officer 

VOG Volcanic Fog 

VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol 

VOLAG Voluntary Agency

VOO Vessel of Opportunity

VOR VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range

Replaces: Visual Omni Ranger 

VORTEX Verification of the Origin of Rotation in 

Tornadoes Experiment

VOSS Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System

VPF Vector Product Format

VPN Virtual Private Network

VQiPS Video Quality in Public Safety (DHS-S&T and 

DOC) 

VR Virtual Reality

VRC

 Veterinary Reserve Corp 

 Virtual Resource Center 

 Volunteer Reception Center

VRD

 Vaccine Research and Development 

 Visual Retinal Display (also known as a 

retinal scan and display) 

VRI Video Relay Interpreting 

VRM Visual Resource Management 

VRML Virtual Reality Modeling Language

VRP Vessel Response Plan 

VRS Volunteer Rescue Squad 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

439 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

VS

 Veterinary Services

 Victim Support

 Vital Signs 

VSAB Vehicle Storage Administration Building

VSAT Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool 

VSP

 Vertical Seismic Profile (technique involving 

the measurement of seismic wave fields)

 Visa Security Program (DHS) 

VST Victim Support Task

V/STOL Vertical and/or Short Takeoff and Landing 

Aircraft 

VSU Visa Security Unit

VSUL Vessel Support Unit Leader 

VTC Video Tele-Conference

VTS Vessel Traffic Service

VUL Vulnerability Management 

VWP Visa Waiver Program

VWPASS Visa Waiver Program Act Support System 

VWPPA Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act of 2000

V-Zone Coastal High Hazard Area

W: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

W Wattage

w watt

W3 World Wide Web 

W3C World Wide Web Consortium 

WACC Weapons and Ammunition Commodity Council
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

440 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WAE When Actually Employed

WAN Wide Area Network

WAPA Western Area Power Administration

WAR Weekly Activity Report

WARN

 Water/Wastewater Agency Response 

Network (water utilities mutual aid and 

assistance network) 

 Web Alert and Relay Network

WARNO Warning Order (informing that an operations 

order may be issued-DOD)

WARP Web Audit and Remediation Program

WASH Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 

Promotion 

WASS Wide Area Surveillance System

WAT Web Accessibility Toolbar 

WATS Wide Area Telecommunications Service

WAWAS Washington Area Warning System

WAWS Washington Area Warning System

WAWTAP Wind And Water Technical Assistance Program

WB  Wideband

 World Bank 

WBIED Waterborne Improvised Explosive Device 

WBS Work Breakdown Structure 

WBT Web-Based Training 

WC Wet Chemical

WCATWC

West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning 

Center (NOAA)

Replaces: Alaska Tsunami Warning Center 

(ATWC)

WCF Working Capital Fund
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

441 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WCO World Customs Organization

W/COMB With Combination

WCP Whole Community Partners 

WCRP World Climate Research Program

WCT Work Capacity Test 

WD REQ Withdraw Request 

WDC EMS Workforce Development Committee 

WDD Workforce Development Division

WDR Wall Drift Ratio (use in determining structural 

seismic performance) 

W/D VAC Wet/Dry Vacuum 

WEA Wireless Emergency Alert 

WEB-TA Web-based Time and Attendance

WEE Western Equine Encephalitis

WEF  Water Environment Federation

 World Economic Forum

WELP Women’s Executive Leadership Program

WEM  Workshop in Emergency Management

WEMT Wilderness EMT 

WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy 

WEPS  Water Expansion Pumping System 

 Weapons Support Unit Leader (USCG) 

WER Weapons-Effect Reporting

WERT Wireless Emergency Response Team

WES Water Expansion System 

WF Workflow 

WFAS Wildland Fire Assessment System 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

442 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WFDSS Wildland Fire Decision Support System 

WFH Weight for Height 

WFI1, WFI2, WFI3 Wildland Fire Investigator 1, 2, 3 

WFIP Wildland Fire Implementation Plan 

WFLC Wildland Fire Leadership Council

WFP World Food Programme (United Nations) 

WFS

Obsolete: Women in the Fire Service, Inc.

Replaced by: International Association of 

Women in Fire and Emergency Services 

(IWOMEN ) 

WFSA Wildland Fire Situation Analysis

WFU Wildland Fire Use

WG  Wage Grade

 Work or Working Group

WGA Western Governors’ Association

WGI Within-Grade Increase

WGS World Geodetic System 

WGSC Wideband Global Satellite Communications 

WH

 Warehouse

 Water Hydrant 

 Weight For Height 

 White House

WHA World Health Assembly 

WHCA White House Communications Agency 

Whiskey Phonetic Alphabet for W 

WHITCU White House Initiative for Tribal Colleges and 

Universities

WHL White House Liaison Office

WHLO White House Liaison Office
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

443 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WHMO White House Military Office

WHO

 Waste Handling Operations 

 White House Office

 World Health Organization (United Nations)

WHP White House Package

WHS Washington Headquarters Services

WHSR White House Situation Room

WHTI Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

WIFLE Women in Federal Law Enforcement

WIMG Wireless Communications Manager 

WIMS Weather Information Management System

WIN

 Warrant Information Network (United States 

Marshals Service)

 Wireless Intelligent Network 

 Obsolete: WWMCCS Intercomputer Network

Replaced by: Global Command and Control 

System (GCCS)

WIP Workforce Improvement Program

WIPT Working Integrated Process Team

WISE Water Infrastructure Simulation Environment

WITS Washington Interagency Telecommunications 

System

WJIIP Windows Joint Instructional Input Program

WKS Worksheet

WL Wireless 

WLANs Wireless Local Area Network

WLBD Wildlife Branch Director 

W/LK With Lock

WLSP Watch List Service Providers
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

444 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WM

 Warehouse Management (system)

 Waste Management 

 Water Management 

 Water Mist

W/M With Monitor

WMA Washington Metropolitan Area

WMATA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

WMD

 Water Management District

 Weapon of Mass Destruction

 Weapons of Mass Distraction 

 Workforce Management Division 

WMDD Weapon of Mass Destruction Directorate (FBI) 

WMD-COP Weapons of Mass Destruction-Common 

Operational Picture

WMD BD Weapon of Mass Destruction and Biodefense 

(DHS-Office of Health Affairs) 

WMD-CST Weapon of Mass Destruction-Civil Support 

Team (National Guard) 

WMD-DAC Weapon of Mass Destruction-Decision Analysis 

Center

WMD-MCM Weapons of Mass Destruction Medical 

Countermeasures

WMDO-IM Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and 

Incident Management

WMDOU Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations Unit 

(FBI) 

WMDSG Weapons of Mass Destruction Strategic Group 

WMDT

Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism (DOS), 

Office of Bureau of International Security and 

Nonproliferation 

WMF Windows Metafile

WMI Workforce Management Initiative 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

445 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WMO World Meteorological Organization

WMS Web Map Services 

WO

 Warrant Officer 

 Washington Office 

 Work Order

WOBS Weather Observer

WOG Whole of Government

WORM Write Once - Read Many (CD-ROM drive)

WOSB Woman-Owned Small Business

WOT War on Terrorism 

WP

 Warning Point

 White Phosphorus

 Word Processing

 Work Packet

WPAFB Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 

WPL Worker Population Limit

WPM Wood Packing Material

WPS

 Water Purification System

 Wireless Priority Service/System

 Word Processing System

WPT  Workforce Performance Training 

 Work Place Transformation 

WR Deck Wide Rib Deck (corrugated metal roofing 

panels)

WRA Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 

WRAPS Workforce Reduction and Placement System 

WRC

 World Radio Communication Conference (UN 

International Telecommunication Union) 

 World Relief Corporation 

WRCC Western Regional Climate Center 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

446 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WRDA Water Resources Development Act

WRF Weather Research and Forecasting

WRIST Weather Radar Identification of Severe 

Thunderstorms

WRM War Reserve Material

WRS Wreck Removal and Salvage

WRSAME Weather Radio Specific Area Message Encoding

WS Wildlife Services

WSA Wilderness Study Area 

WSBAA Western States Boating Administrators 

Association 

WS-CDL Web Services Choreography Description 

Language Version 

WSDI Warm Spell Duration Index 

WSDL Web Services Description Language

WSE Web Service Enhancement

WSEL Water-Surface Elevation

W/SH With Shelves

WSP  Water Safety Plan 

 Wireless Service Provider 

WSR Weather Surveillance Radar

WSRA Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 

WSSPC Western States Seismic Policy Council

Wt Weight

WT Wireless Terminal 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

447 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

WTC

 Warrenton Training Center (a United States

government communications complex) 

 Obsolete: World Trade Center

Replaced by: One World Trade Center also 

known as 1 World Trade Center or Freedom 

Tower

WTD Water-Tight Door 

WTO World Trade Organization

WUI Wildland-Urban Interface

WWL Wind/Water Line

WWMCCS

Obsolete: World Wide Military Command and 

Control System

Replaced by: GCCS

WWRF Wireless World Research Forum 

WWU Watch and Warning Unit

WWW World Wide Web

WYO Write Your Own (insurance)

WYOP Write Your Own Program

WYSIWYG What You See Is What You Get

X: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

XACML Extensible Access Control Markup Language 

XB  Extra-Budgetary 

 X-Band (Radar Frequency) 

XBT Bitcoin (digital currency) (see BTC) 

XDA Existing Data Study

XEDO Xedar Heat Detection Unit

XL Extra Large

XMI XML Metadata Interchange 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

448 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

XML Extensible Markup Language

XO Executive Officer 

XPA Extent of Play Agreement

X-ray Phonetic Alphabet for X 

XS  Access

 Cross Section 

XSD XML Schema Definition 

XSL eXtensible Stylesheet Language 

XSLT eXtensible Stylesheet Language 

Transformations 

XSTF XML Structure Task Force

Y: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

Yankee Phonetic Alphabet for Y 

YCC Youth Conservation Corps (United States Forest 

Service)

yd Yard

YDS Yosemite Decimal System 

YLD  Yield

 Years Lived with Disability 

yr Year

YT Yukon Territory 

YTD Year To Date

Z: Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

Z or Z-Time Zulu Time (Universal Time Coordinated-UTC)
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

449 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ZBB Zero-Based Budgeting

ZECP Zone Emergency Communications Planner

ZFP Zone Forecast Product

ZIP Zoning Improvement Plan

ZONE A

Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 

100-year flood; base flood elevations are not 

determined (Includes Zone AE and Zone A1-30)

ZONE A99

Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 

100-year flood to be protected from the 100-

year flood by a federal flood protection system 

under construction; base flood elevations are 

not determined

ZONE AH

Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 

100-year flood; flood depths of 1 to 3 feet 

(usually areas of ponding); base flood 

elevations are determined

ZONE AO

Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 

100-year flood; with flood depths of 1 to 3 feet 

(usually sheet flow on the sloping terrain); 

average depths are determined. For areas of 

alluvial fan flooding, velocities are also 

determined

ZONE AR

Special Flood Hazard Area that results from the 

decertification of a previously accredited flood 

protection system that is in the process of being 

restored to provide a 100-year or greater level 

of flood protection

ZONE B

Area of 500-year flood; area subject to the 100-

year flood with average depths of less than 1 

foot or with contributing drainage area less than 

one square mile; and areas protected by levees 

from the base flood

ZONE C Area determined to be outside the 500-year 

floodplain

ZONE D Area in which flood hazards are undetermined
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

450 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning/Description

ZONE V

Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 

100-year flood; coastal floods with velocity 

hazards (wave action); base flood elevations 

are not determined (Includes Zone VE and Zone 

V1-30)

ZONE X

If shaded: Area of 500-year flood; area subject 

to the 100-year flood with average depths of 

less than 1 foot or with contributing drainage 

area less than one square mile; and areas 

protected by levees from the base flood 

If unshaded: Area determined to be outside the 

500-year floodplain

Z-Score Standard Deviation Above or Below the Mean 

ZULU Indicates use of Universal Coordinated Time

Zulu Phonetic Alphabet for Z 

ZWA Zonal Wind Anomaly
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

451 

Addendums

1. Acronym of Emergency Management Offices and 

Agencies for U.S. States, Commonwealths, District of 

Columbia and Territories

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning

AL EMA Alabama Emergency Management Agency

AK DHS&EM Alaska Division of Homeland Security and 

Emergency Management

AZ DEM Arizona Division of Emergency Management

ADEM Arkansas Division of Emergency Management

Cal OES California Office of Emergency Services

CNMIHSEM

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands Homeland Security and Emergency 

Management

CO DHSEM Colorado Division of Homeland Security and 

Emergency Management 

CT DEMHS Connecticut Division of Emergency 

Management and Homeland Security

DCHSEMA District of Columbia Homeland Security and 

Emergency Management Agency

DEMA Delaware Emergency Management Agency

FDEM Florida Division of Emergency Management 

FSM DEM Federated States of Micronesia Division of 

Emergency

GEMA/HS Georgia Emergency Management and 

Homeland Security Agency

GUHS Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil 

Defense

HiEMA Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

IA HSEMD Iowa Department of Homeland Security and 

Emergency Management
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

452 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning

IOEM Idaho Office of Emergency Management

IEMA Illinois Emergency Management Agency

IDHS Indiana Department of Homeland Security

KDEM Kansas Division of Emergency Management

KYEM Kentucky Emergency Management

LA GOHSEP Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland 

Security & Emergency Management

MDEM Maryland Department of Emergency 

Management

MEMA

 Maine Emergency Management Agency

 Massachusetts Emergency Management 

Agency

 Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

MEMHSD Michigan Emergency Management and 

Homeland Security Division

MO SEMA Missouri State Emergency Management Agency

MN HSEM Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency 

Management

MT DES Montana Disaster and Emergency Services

NCEM North Carolina Emergency Management

NDDES North Dakota Department of Emergency 

Services

NEMA Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

NH HSEM New Hampshire Homeland Security and 

Emergency Management

NJ OEM New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

NM DHSEM New Mexico Department of Homeland Security 

and Emergency Management

NV DEM Nevada Division of Emergency Management 

NYS OEM New York State Office of Emergency 

Management
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

453 

Acronym, Abbreviation or Term Meaning

OH EMA Ohio Emergency Management Agency

ODEMHS Oklahoma Department of Emergency 

Management and Homeland Security

OEM Oregon Office of Emergency Management 

PEMA Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

PREMA Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency

RIEMA Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

RMI NDMO Republic of the Marshall Islands National 

Disaster Management Office

RP PNEMO Republic of Palau National Emergency 

Management Office

SCEMD South Carolina Emergency Management 

Division

SD OEM South Dakota Office of Emergency 

Management

TEMA Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

TEMCO American Samoa Territorial Emergency 

Management Coordinating Office

TDEM Texas Division of Emergency Management 

UT DEM Utah Division of Emergency Management

VDEM Virginia Department of Emergency Management

VITEMA Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency 

Management Agency

VEM Vermont Emergency Management

WA EMD State of Washington Emergency Management 

Division

WEM Wisconsin Emergency Management

WVEMD West Virginia Emergency Management Division

WY OHS Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

454

2. The 32 Core Capabilities Identified in the National 

Preparedness Goal

Planning Public Information and Warning

Operational Coordination Forensics and Attribution

Intelligence and Information Sharing Interdiction and Disruption

Screening, Search and Detection Access Control and Identity Verification

Cybersecurity Physical Protective Measures

Risk Management for Protection 

Programs and Activities

Supply Chain Integrity and Security

Community Resilience Long-term Vulnerability Reduction

Risk and Disaster Resilience Assessment Threats and Hazards Identification

Critical Transportation Environmental Response/Health and 

Safety

Fatality Management Services Fire Management and Suppression

Infrastructure Systems Logistics and Supply Chain 

Management

Mass Care Services Mass Search and Rescue Operations

On-scene Security, Protection and Law 

Enforcement

Operational Communications

Public Health, Healthcare and Emergency 

Medical Services

Situational Assessment

Economic Recovery Health and Social Services

Housing Natural and Cultural Resources
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

455

3. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 

Assistance Act: Public Law 93-288, as amended, 42 

U.S.C. 5121 et seq., and Related Authorities United 

States Code, Title 42. The Public Health and Welfare, 

Chapter 68. Disaster Relief-FEMA 592, August 2016

 Title I - Findings and Declarations

o Sec. 101. Congressional Findings and Declarations (42 U.S.C. 5121) 

o Sec. 102. Definitions (42 U.S.C. 5122) 

o Sec. 103. References (42 U.S.C. 5123) 

 Title II – Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance

o Sec. 201. Federal and State Disaster Preparedness Programs (42 U.S.C. 5131) 

o Sec. 202. Disaster Warnings (42 U.S.C. 5132) 

o Sec. 203. Predisaster Hazard Mitigation (42 U.S.C. 5133) 

o Sec. 204. Interagency Task Force (42 U.S.C. 5134) 

 Title III – Major Disaster and Emergency Assistance Administration

o Sec. 301. Waiver of Administrative Conditions (42 U.S.C. 5141) 

o Sec. 302. Coordinating Officers (42 U.S.C. 5143) 

o Sec. 303. Emergency Support and Response Teams (42 U.S.C. 5144) 

o Sec. 304. Reimbursement of Federal Agencies (42 U.S.C. 5147) 

o Sec. 305. Nonliability of Federal Government (42 U.S.C. 5148) 

o Sec. 306. Performance of Services (42 U.S.C. 5149) 

o Sec. 307. Use of Local Firms and Individuals (42 U.S.C. 5150) 

o Sec. 308. Nondiscrimination in Disaster Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5151) 

o Sec. 309. Use and Coordination of Relief Organizations (42 U.S.C. 5152) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

456

o Sec. 310. Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance (42 

U.S.C. 5153) 

o Sec. 311. Insurance (42 U.S.C. 5154) 

‒ Prohibited Flood Disaster Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5154a) 

o Sec. 312. Duplication of Benefits (42 U.S.C. 5155) 

o Sec. 313. Standards and Reviews (42 U.S.C. 5156) 

o Sec. 314. Penalties (42 U.S.C. 5157) 

o Sec. 315. Availability of Materials (42 U.S.C. 5158) 

o Sec. 316. Protection of Environment (42 U.S.C. 5159) 

o Sec. 317. Recovery of Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5160) 

o Sec. 318. Audits and Investigations (42 U.S.C. 5161) 

o Sec. 319. Advance of Non-Federal Share (42 U.S.C. 5162) 

o Sec. 320. Limitation on Use of Sliding Scales (42 U.S.C. 5163) 

o Sec. 321. Rules and Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5164) 

o Sec. 322. Mitigation Planning (42 U.S.C. 5165) 

o Sec. 323 Minimum Standards for Public and Private Structures (42 U.S.C. 5165a) 

o Sec. 324. Management Costs (42 U.S.C. 5165b) 

o Sec. 325. Public Notice, Comment and Consultation Requirements (42 U.S.C. 5165c) 

o Sec. 326. Designation of Small State and Rural Advocate (42 U.S.C. 5165d) 

 Title IV – Major Disaster Assistance Programs

o Sec. 401. Procedure for Declaration (42 U.S.C. 5170) 

o Sec. 402. General Federal Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5170a) 

o Sec. 403. Essential Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5170b) 

o Sec. 404. Hazard Mitigation (42 U.S.C. 5170c) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

457

o Sec. 405. Federal Facilities (42 U.S.C. 5171) 

o Sec. 406. Repair, Restoration and Replacement of Damaged Facilities (42 U.S.C. 5172)

o Sec. 407. Debris Removal (42 U.S.C. 5173) 

o Sec. 408. Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households (42 U.S.C. 5174)

o Sec. 410. Unemployment Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5177) 

‒ Emergency Grants to Assist Low-Income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (42 

U.S.C.5177a) 

o Sec. 412. Benefits and Distribution (42 U.S.C. 5179) 

o Sec. 413. Food Commodities (42 U.S.C. 5180) 

o Sec. 414. Relocation Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5181) 

o Sec. 415. Legal Services (42 U.S.C. 5182) 

o Sec. 416. Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training (42 U.S.C. 5183) 

o Sec. 417. Community Disaster Loans (42 U.S.C. 5184) 

o Sec. 418. Emergency Communications (42 U.S.C. 5185) 

o Sec. 419. Emergency Public Transportation (42 U.S.C. 5186) 

o Sec. 420. Fire Management Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5187) 

o Sec. 421. Timber Sale Contracts (42 U.S.C. 5188) 

o Sec. 422. Simplified Procedure (42 U.S.C. 5189) 

o Sec. 423. Appeals of Assistance Decisions (42 U.S.C. 5189a)

o Sec. 424. Date of Eligibility; Expenses Incurred Before Date of Disaster (42 U.S.C. 5189b) 

o Sec. 425. Transportation Assistance to Individuals and Households (42 U.S.C. 5189c) 

o Sec. 426. Case Management Services (42 U.S.C. 5189d) 

o Sec. 427. Essential Service Providers (42 U.S.C. 5189e) 

o Sec. 428. Public Assistance Program Alternative Procedures (42 U.S.C. 5189f) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

458

o Sec. 429. Unified Federal Review (42 U.S.C. 5189g) 

 Title V – Emergency Assistance Programs

o Sec. 501. Procedure for Declaration (42 U.S.C. 5191) 

o Sec. 502. Federal Emergency Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5192) 

o Sec. 503. Amount of Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5193) 

 Title VI – Emergency Preparedness

o Sec. 601. Declaration of Policy (42 U.S.C. 5195) 

o Sec. 602. Definitions (42 U.S.C. 5195a) 

o Sec. 603. Administration of Title (42 U.S.C. 5195b) 

‒ Critical Infrastructures Protection (42 U.S.C. 5195c) 

o Subtitle A—Powers and Duties

‒ Sec. 611. Detailed Functions or Administration (42 U.S.C. 5196) 

‒ Sec. 612. Mutual Aid Pacts between States and Neighboring Counties (42 U.S.C. 5196a) 

‒ Sec. 613. Contributions for Personnel and Administrative Expenses (42 U.S.C. 5196b) 

‒ Sec. 614. Grants for Construction of Emergency Operations Centers (42 U.S.C. 5196c) 

‒ Sec. 615. Use of Funds to Prepare for and Respond to Hazards (42 U.S.C. 5196d) 

• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund (42 U.S.C. 5196e) 

‒ Sec. 616. Disaster Related Information Services (42 U.S.C. 5196f) 

o Subtitle B—General Provisions

‒ Sec. 621. Administrative Authority (42 U.S.C. 5197) 

‒ Sec. 622. Security Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5197a) 

‒ Sec. 623. Use of Existing Facilities (42 U.S.C. 5197b) 

‒ Sec. 624. Annual Report to Congress (42 U.S.C. 5197c) 

‒ Sec. 625. Applicability of Subchapter (42 U.S.C. 5197d) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

459

‒ Sec. 626. Authorization of Appropriations and Transfers of Funds (42 U.S.C. 5197e) 

‒ Sec. 627. Relation to Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 5197f) 

‒ Sec. 628. Federal Bureau of Investigation (42 U.S.C. 5197g) 

 Title VII – Miscellaneous

o Sec. 701. Rules and Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5201) 

‒ Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery;

o Definitions (42 U.S.C. 5204) 

‒ Technical Assistance for Insular Areas (42 U.S.C. 5204b) 

o Sec. 705. Disaster Grant Closeout Procedures (42 U.S.C. 5205) 

‒ Buy American (42 U.S.C. 5206) 

o Sec. 706 Firearms Policies (42 U.S.C. 5207) 

 Miscellaneous Statutory Provisions that Relate to the Stafford Act

o U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability 

Appropriations Act, 2007, Pub. L. 110-28, 121 Stat. 112 (2007), signed on May 25, 2007

‒ Sec. 4501. (100% Federal Share for Katrina, Wilma, Dennis and Rita) 

‒ Sec. 4502. (Allowing Community Disaster Loans to be canceled) 

o Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, Pub. L. 109-295, 120 Stat. 

1355 (2006), signed on October 4, 2006 [Includes Post-Katrina Emergency Management 

Reform Act (PKEMRA)]

‒ Sec. 536. (Accounting for Needs of Individuals with Household Pets and Service Animals) 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

460 

4. Common Conversion Factors

4.1. Approximate Conversions from Metric to U.S. Customary Measures*

LENGTH

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

mm millimeter 0.04 Inch in

cm centimeter 0.39 Inch in

m meter 3.28 Foot ft

m meter 1.09 Yard yd

km kilometer 0.62 Mile mi

Length Conversions

1 nautical mile = 1.152 statute miles = 1.852 kilometers

1 mile = 1.6093 kilometers

1 kilometer = 0.621371 miles

1 mile = 5,280 feet

1 kilometer = 1,000 meters

1 yard = 0.91440 meters

1 meter = 1.0936 yards, or 39.370 inches

1 foot = 30.48 centimeters

1 inch = 2.5400 centimeters

1 millimeter = .039 inches

AREA

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

cm2 square 

centimeters

0.16 square inch in2

m2 square meter 1.20 square yard yd2

km2 square kilometer 0.39 square mile mi2

ha hectare

(10,000 m2) 

2.47 Acre
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

461 

MASS (WEIGHT)

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

g gram 0.04 Ounce oz

kg kilogram 2.20 Pound lb

mt metric ton (also 

called Tonne)

(1,000 kg)

1.10 short ton ton

Mass (Weight) Conversions

1 U.S. Ton = 2,000 pounds

1 metric ton = 1000 kg = 2,205 pounds

1 U.S. pound = 0.45359237 kilograms

1 kilogram = 2.20 U.S. pounds

1 ounce = 28.350 grams

Weight of Water by Volume (at 16.7° C or 62° F)

1 liter = 1 kilogram

1 U.K. gallon = 10 pounds

1 U.S. gallon = 8.33 pounds

1 cubic foot of water = 62.3 pounds

VOLUME

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

mL milliliter 0.03 fluid ounce fl oz

mL milliliter 0.06 cubic inch in3

L liter 2.11 pint, liquid pt

L liter 1.06 quart, liquid qt

L liter 0.26 Gallon gal

m3 cubic meter 35.31 cubic foot ft3

m3 cubic meter 1.31 cubic yard yd3
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

462 

Volume Conversions

1 U.S. gallon = 3.79 liters

1 U.S. gallon = 128 ounces

1 U.S. quart = 0.946352946 liter

1 liter = 33.814 U.S. ounces

1 cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons

1 U.S. ounce = 29.574 milliliter

TEMPERATURE

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

°C degree Celsius 1.8, add 32 degree 

Fahrenheit

°F

K Kelvin subtract 273.15 degree Celsius °C

Temperature Conversions

37 °C = 98.6 °F (Average Body Temperature)

0 °C = 32.0 °F (Freezing/Melting Point of Water)

100 °C = 212.0 °F (Boiling Point of Water) 

Note: These approximate conversion charts are published by National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST-SP-365), an agency of the DOC. These charts can be viewed online by visiting 

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/metric/common-conversion.cfm. 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

463

5. Phonetic Alphabet – U.S. Military

A Alpha

B Bravo

C Charlie

D Delta

E Echo

F Foxtrot

G Golf

H Hotel

I India

J Juliet

K Kilo

L Lima

M Mike

N November

O Oscar

P Papa

Q Quebec

R Romeo

S Sierra

T Tango

U Uniform

V Victor

W Whiskey

X X-ray

Y Yankee

Z Zulu
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

460 

6. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Regional 

Offices

Visit the FEMA.gov Contact Us page at https://www.fema.gov/about/contact for regional, 

Headquarters and disaster assistance contact information. 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

461 

7. FEMA Training Organizations

Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)-FEMA 

61 Responder Dr.

Anniston AL, 36205

Phone: 1-866-213-9553

Contact Information: https://cdp.dhs.gov/contact

Emergency Management Institute (EMI)-FEMA 

16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727

Phone: 301-447-1000

Admissions Fax: 301-447-1658 

Contact Information: https://training.fema.gov/contactus/

National Training and Exercise Division (NTED) 

400 C Street S.W., 7th Floor South 

Washington, D.C. 20472-3600

Phone: 1-800-234-1116

Contact Information: https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/contactus

U.S. Fire Administration-FEMA 

16825 South Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

Phone: 1-800-238-3358

Contact Information: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/contact.html
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

462 

8. List of Major Department of Homeland Security 

Organizational Websites

Agency Website

Federal Emergency Management Agency https://www.fema.gov/ 

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center https://www.fletc.gov/ 

Transportation Security Administration https://www.tsa.gov/ 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services https://www.uscis.gov/ 

U.S. Coast Guard https://www.uscg.mil/ 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection https://www.cbp.gov/ 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security https://www.dhs.gov/ 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement https://www.ice.gov/ 

U.S. Secret Service https://www.secretservice.gov/ 
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

463 

NOTES:
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

464 

NOTES:
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

465 

NOTES:
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

466 

NOTES
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

467

FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Produced by the National Preparedness Directorate, National Integration Center
FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

468

Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms in this document are updated regularly. However, this version

may not be the most up to date. If you run across a useful acronym or abbreviation that is not in the 

FAAT List, please send it to us at: FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov. It may be included in the next update.