CDRG members may be notified to convene at FEMA Headquarters for an initial meeting, depending on the nature of the disaster. CDRG members or alternates remain on call to meet at any time during the disaster response. The FEMA Regional Director deploys a FEMA State Liaison to the State EOC to provide advice on the declaration process and available Federal assistance, and also partially or fully activates the ROC staff, including regional agency representatives. With the support of ESFs, the ROC staff initially deploys members of the ERT-A, including damage assessment personnel, to State operating facilities and disaster sites to assess the impact of the situation, collect damage information, and determine requirements. If regional resources appear to be overwhelmed or in an event having potentially significant consequences, FEMA Headquarters may deploy an ERT-N to coordinate the initial response.
Primary agencies are responsible for activation of their support agencies if required.
Agencies may activate their headquarters EOCs to provide coordination and direction to their regional response elements in the field. The Regional Director processes the Governor s request for a Presidential declaration, which indicates the extent of damage and the types of Federal assistance required. FEMA Headquarters then forwards the Governor s request to the White House, along with a recommended course of action. Concurrent with a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency and official appointment of an FCO, FEMA designates the types of assistance to be made available and the counties eligible to receive assistance. The Regional Director appoints a Disaster Recovery Manager.