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 provide...
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 provide...
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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FEMA opens new flood-assistance centers in Des Plaines, Oak Forest
Federal and state officials have opened two more disaster-recovery centers for people affected by last month's flooding. Residents can get help and information at offices in Des Plaines at 1486 Miner St., next to the Des Plaines Theatre; and at Oak...Tags: Des Plaines, Cicero, Oak Forest
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Fay victims can sign up for FEMA relief
Residents who suffered losses and damage to their homes during Tropical Storm Fay may register for financial relief with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the sheriff's substation. The Disaster Recovery Center opened this week at the substation,...Tags: Personal Data Collection, Tropical Storms, Eustis, Interior Policy
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Douglas High booster: Let's rethink local transportation
South Florida Sun-SentinelMore fuel-efficient cars and fewer vehicles on the road make for a cleaner environment, but it's doing little for the health of the country's transportation system. Husein Cumber, United States Department of Transportation deputy chief of staff, talks...Tags: Government, Coral Springs, Air Transportation Industry, The White House, Air Transportation
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Dual roles not preferred
Q: We hope you can give us an opinion on the duties of our board of directors. First, some background: We are a small association with a three-member board. The president has been in place for the past four years. She has determined that she is the...Tags: Government, Floods, National Government, Emergency Planning
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Credit crisis threatens New Orleans' recovery from Katrina
The Associated PressA prolonged recession and a tight credit market would cripple New Orleans' still-fragile recovery from Hurricane Katrina, delaying or eliminating road work, new construction and repairs to homes and businesses that have stood empty since 2005. The city's...Tags: Hurricane Preparedness, Homes, Condos and Houses, Rentals
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Little more than blueprints: US credit crisis threatens New Orleans' fragile Katrina recovery
Associated Press WriterNEW ORLEANS (AP) _ A prolonged recession and a tight credit market would cripple New Orleans' still-fragile recovery from Hurricane Katrina, delaying or eliminating road work, new construction and repairs to homes and businesses that have stood empty...Tags: Hurricane Preparedness, Homes, Condos and Houses, Rentals
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FEMA to open flood recovery offices in Chicago, Wheaton
Two federal recovery centers are scheduled to open Tuesday in Chicago and Wheaton to help those affected by last month's flooding in the seven northern Illinois counties that have been declared disaster areas by President George W. Bush. People can...Tags: Unemployment, George Bush, Des Plaines, Disasters, Floods
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Soriano: Cubs Not Built For Playoffs
The Cubs' elimination from the playoffs has left Chicago wondering who to blame, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday. Should it be divided equally among the players and the manager and the chairman, or should $137 million outfielder Alfonso Soriano be...Tags: San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, Major League Baseball, Hurricane Ike, Shawn Estes
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Hamlin out of hospital after crash at Talladega
Denny Hamlin was released from a hospital Monday, a day after a tire failure led to a hard crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Hamlin was kept overnight for observation at a Birmingham, Ala., hospital after his car slammed into a wall. He was alert and...Tags: Television Industry, San Diego Padres, Eddy Curry, Diseases, Major League Baseball
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Many Iowa towns not signed up for flood insurance
Even after a summer of record flooding, 131 Iowa cities and counties have not signed up for national flood insurance. In Conrad, where Wolf Creek only washed away a deck on the town's west side, the town recently updated its flood maps so it could...Tags: Insurance, Floods, Emergency Planning
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Federal disaster aid approved for victims of September flood
Federal officials have approved disaster aid for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties affected by severe weather last month. Residents are eligible for federal aid such as low-cost loans for housing and programs for business...Tags: Disasters, Floods, Rod Blagojevich
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Louisiana: Judge's ruling blames FEMA
A federal judge says the government isn't immune from lawsuits claiming many Gulf Coast hurricane victims were exposed to potentially dangerous fumes while living in trailers it provided. Friday's ruling says there is evidence that the Federal...Tags: Natural Disasters, Hurricane Preparedness, Disasters, Hurricanes, Meteorological Disasters
Oct 11, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 9, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Oct 9, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Oct 9, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Oct 8, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Oct 8, 2008
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Oct 7, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 7, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
Oct 7, 2008
|Story| Allentown Morning Call
Oct 7, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Oct 5, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 4, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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