This act is the first piece of disaster legislation enacted in the United States (U.S.). Congress passed it after a series of significant fires in Portsmouth, NH. Over the next 150 years, Congress passed more than 100 ad hoc pieces of legislation to deal with disasters and emergencies such as the great fires of New York City in 1835 and Chicago in 1871, the hurricane of 1900 that destroyed Galveston, TX, and the great earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1906.

This act represents the first sweeping commitment by the federal government to exercise control over U.S. waterways in order to protect citizens and property from floods. Under this act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built many preventative levee systems, dams, floodwalls, and reservoirs.

At the time the federal government passed the Disaster Relief Act of 1950, how many government agencies were involved in managing disasters and emergencies in the U.S.?

Due to looming concerns over the sustained state of political and military tensions with the Soviet Union, all disaster response responsibilities were transferred from the HHFA to the Department of Defense.

Due to looming concerns over the sustained state of political and military tensions with the Soviet Union, all disaster response responsibilities were transferred from the HHFA to the Department of Defense.

Which 1969 hurricane had a significant impact on the how the federal government and communities respond to disaster?

The ICS was developed following a series of major wildfires in Southern California in 1970. The system established on-scene standards for the coordination of various jurisdictions during emergency situations. The ICS standards provide a common structure and common processes for response to any emergency situation.

President Richard Nixon passed the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 in order to create an official process for presidential disaster declarations. The act was another attempt by the federal government to consolidate disaster and emergency response efforts, which were still quite disorganized and spread across multiple agencies.

President Jimmy Carter transmitted to Congress Reorganization Plan No. 3 in 1978. In the interest of civil defense, Carter sought to establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consolidate the responsibility for emergency and disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response within one organization that reports directly to the executive office. The plan dictated the establishment of FEMA by April 1, 1979.

FEMA was officially created by Executive Order 12127 on April 1, 1979. What system is FEMA’s first director, John Macy, credited with implementing?

This act amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. It gave FEMA the authority to provide economic and physical resources to disaster-stricken communities once a disaster is officially declared by the President. FEMA became responsible for coordinating all disaster relief efforts in a federally declared disaster zone.

Hugo, a Category 5 hurricane, struck the South Carolina coast in 1989. Hugo was the most damaging hurricane in U.S. history up to that point. As a result, FEMA, which was highly criticized for its slow response, instituted some reforms in order to speed up its response capabilities.

What event in 1989 had a significant impact on mitigation planning in the United States?

Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane, devastated Dade County, FL in 1992. FEMA’s response was highly criticized and the agency’s unclear procedures were blamed for delaying aid and prolonging the suffering of victims.

This plan was developed as a result of FEMA’s ineffective response to Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The FRP provided a much clearer coordination structure for managing recovery efforts under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988. The plan provided for FEMA to mobilize by the President’s disaster declaration in order to effectively assist state and local governments during disaster. This plan was tested and found to be flawed, however, when Hurricane Andrew devastated Dade County, Florida in 1992. The plan’s requirements significantly delayed the deployment of supplies and assistance to victims. The plan was revised again in 1999.

Research this event as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

Research this event as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

This legislation was enacted by President Bill Clinton in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City and World Trade Center bombings. The act limits the number of appeals convicted criminals can make, seeks to deter terrorism in the U.S. and abroad, and provides for stronger victims’ rights.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments to utilize FEMA mitigation planning standards in order to receive what kind of assistance?

Research this event as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

Research this law as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

Research this law as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

March 1st, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was appointed as the first director. FEMA was placed under the umbrella of the DHS after this date.

This system was established on March 1st to develop seamless coordination between all responders, public and private, during the planning, response, and recovery stages of a disaster, regardless of the size or nature of the incident.

Research this event as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

This act amended the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It established new leadership positions with more stringent requirements within FEMA and reorganized the agency’s responsibilities. Following this act, FEMA’s administration broadened their range of activities when responding to disasters. The Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 was once again modified due to the changes implemented post-Katrina.

Presidential Policy Directive-8 in 2011 established what national planning framework?

Research this event as directed by the assignment instructions in the course.

Northern Colorado was struck by a devastating flood that affected 2,000 square miles. The incident highlighted challenges with the role of government in the recovery process. Due to the federal government shut down in 2013, the state of Colorado was unable to obtain federal relief and was forced to pay the National Guard for their assistance. Significant spills of crude oil and raw human sewage brought unaddressed mitigation measures related to protecting the water supply to the attention of the state government and FEMA.