Guide Note

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, often referred to as FEMA, is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It provides support to any region of the United States where a disaster has overwhelmed the abilities of local and state government to provide relief. Although FEMA's responses are most visible after natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, it also provides relief from disasters like bombings or large-scale accidents.

Fast Facts

1. Formed: April 1, 1979
2. Established by President Carter
3. Preceding agencies: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
4. Parent agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
5. Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
6. Employees: 6,651 (2008)
7. Administrator: R. David Paulison
8. 2008 Budget: $8 billion
9. Provides immediate relief, including first aid, food, and housing
10. Provides long-term relief, including government subsidies for renovation and rebuilding of damaged areas

Governmental agencies similar to FEMA have existed since the 1930s, often as individual agencies collaborating to provide disaster relief. Services were first unified in the 1960s under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, until FEMA was officially established as an independent agency in 1979. In 2003, it was absorbed into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA provides both short- and long-term relief to any area affected by a disaster. But a state's governor must declare a state of emergency before FEMA is legally authorized to enter the area and begin offering its services.