Highlights
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the government's disaster relief agency, charged primarily with responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and acts of terrorism. Based in Washington, D.C., with offices around the country, FEMA has more than 2,600 full-time employees with another 4,000 on standby to respond to disasters.
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes,...
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes,...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the government's disaster relief agency, charged primarily with responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and acts of terrorism. Based in Washington, D.C., with offices around the country, FEMA has more than 2,600 full-time employees with another 4,000 on standby to respond to disasters.
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes, FEMA provides financial assistance and supplies for recovery and rebuilding. Under its public assistance program, FEMA reimburses local and state governments for expenses including overtime for emergency personnel, debris removal and repairs to public utilities. Individual homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance for uninsured losses. FEMA came under criticism in 2004 in Florida, which was hit by four hurricanes in six weeks. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found FEMA awarded more than $31 million to residents of Miami-Dade for a hurricane that missed the county. FEMA even paid funeral expenses for deaths unrelated to the storm.
The Sun-Sentinel investigation found the same patterns in disasters across the country with hundreds of millions of dollars intended for disaster victims going to people who suffered no damage. When the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf coast in 2005, FEMA drew widespread criticism for its slow response and massive fraud and waste. In the aftermath of the storm, government investigators found FEMA paid more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims. FEMA's top administrator is R. David Paulison. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In addition to directing the agency, the Administrator may also be called upon by the President to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
Their offices are located at 500 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20472. Questions can be directed to www.fema.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes, FEMA provides financial assistance and supplies for recovery and rebuilding. Under its public assistance program, FEMA reimburses local and state governments for expenses including overtime for emergency personnel, debris removal and repairs to public utilities. Individual homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance for uninsured losses. FEMA came under criticism in 2004 in Florida, which was hit by four hurricanes in six weeks. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found FEMA awarded more than $31 million to residents of Miami-Dade for a hurricane that missed the county. FEMA even paid funeral expenses for deaths unrelated to the storm.
The Sun-Sentinel investigation found the same patterns in disasters across the country with hundreds of millions of dollars intended for disaster victims going to people who suffered no damage. When the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf coast in 2005, FEMA drew widespread criticism for its slow response and massive fraud and waste. In the aftermath of the storm, government investigators found FEMA paid more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims. FEMA's top administrator is R. David Paulison. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In addition to directing the agency, the Administrator may also be called upon by the President to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
Their offices are located at 500 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20472. Questions can be directed to www.fema.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
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Hurricane season 2012: Prediction calls for 'near normal'
The good news on the weather front is that Americans can expect a return to near-normal hurricane conditions this season. The bad news is that normal seems good only because recent years have been so tough. In predictions released Thursday, forecasters...
Tags: Mexico, Jane Lubchenco, Meteorological Disasters, Gulf of Mexico, Natural Disasters
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Wildfire season looms -- and federal officials say they're ready
Some parts of the United States, particularly in the West, could face an active wildfire season this year, federal officials warn, adding that they're prepared to deal with the challenge. In a telephone conference call this week, Agriculture Secretary...
Tags: Science and Technology, Wildfires, Fires, Agricultural Research and Technology, Natural Resources
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Josh Powell won't be buried next to sons; officers buy plots
Nation NowTo keep the body of Josh Powell from being buried near the sons he killed, Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County purchased the plots surrounding the grave where Charles and Braden Powell were buried Monday.... -
Buy latte, pack gun: Starbucks hit with boycott -- and 'buycott'
Nation NowStarbucks boycott: Gun advocates rally to defend Starbucks against a boycott called by the National Gun Victims Action Council. Their "buycott" supports the company's policy of following state gun laws.... -
Last FEMA trailer leaves New Orleans six years after Katrina
Nation NowThe last FEMA trailer has left New Orleans, closing a brutal chapter in the city’s history more than six years after Hurricane Katrina stormed through the region and the levee system failed.... -
'Glee' recap: Moonwalking with Michael Jackson
Show TrackerA recap of the Michael Jackson episode of "Glee."... -
Hero of Eggers' 'Zeitoun' pleaded guilty in domestic abuse case
Jacket CopyDave Eggers' nonfiction book "Zeitoun" was a bestseller and LA Times book prize winner; in 2011, its hero pleaded guilty to hitting his wife.... -
Poll: Whom would you have blamed?
Opinion L.A.It appears that Congress has narrowly averted a government shutdown for the third, but probably not the last, time this year. Who was being unreasonable here?... -
'The Walking Dead' recap: Welcome to Hershel's Farm
Show TrackerIn "Bloodletting," Sunday's night episode of "The Walking Dead," penned by new showrunner Glen Mazzara, the odds are stacking up against Rick's young son, Carl -- the bullet that entered his body (which, we learn, was fired by a well meaning hunter/former... -
Virginia to receive earthquake aid after all
Nation NowThe Virginia county that was at the epicenter of the rare East Coast 5.8-magnitude earthquake will receive federal aid after all... -
Emergency warning test coming to every radio and TV in the nation
Nation NowEmergency warning: Federal officials are planning the first nationwide test of the emergency alert system for Wednesday -- and they're issuing a warning in advance.... -
First nationwide test of Emergency Alert System set for Wednesday
Money & CompanyThis is a test. This is only a test. At 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, nearly all U.S. radio stations and television channels (including cable and satellite) will simultaneously pause for the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. For 30......
May 24, 2012
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Apr 27, 2012
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Feb 15, 2012
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Feb 15, 2012
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Feb 15, 2012
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Feb 1, 2012
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Feb 4, 2012
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Sep 26, 2011
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Oct 24, 2011
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Nov 5, 2011
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Nov 7, 2011
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Nov 8, 2011
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