U.S. Government Disaster Preparedness

The lead department in the U.S. Government for disaster response is the Department of Homeland Security. However, every cabinet secretary-level department and every agency within every department, as well as independent agencies do provide for disaster preparedness within the scope of their department or agency.

Within the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the lead agency for disaster preparedness and response. However, FEMA works with other government agencies within the scope of the laws and regulations governing disaster relief and emergency assistance. See the introductory page on Response for a more complete description of FEMA’s role.

When FEMA prepares for a disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, equipment, supplies, and response personnel are “pre-staged” at locations far enough away from where the disaster is expected to occur, or at regional centers around the country which allow for rapid deployment of resources wherever a disaster happens. But as we saw with the 2005 Hurricane season, it may not be possible for some time to enter an area hit by a disaster until roads are cleared of debris, or airports are made available to airlift supplies and equipment. Hurricane Katrina destroyed bridges that led into New Orleans, severely impacting the ability to deliver much needed supplies.

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When one speaks of “disaster preparedness,” what is meant? It means doing what is necessary to learn about what hazards may impact your community, the risks you and your family face from those hazards, gathering the supplies and the plans you put together which will allow you to effectively respond when disaster strikes, and what plans your community has put in place for warning you and your family and evacuation routes. 

Preparing means actions you take prior to a disaster or emergency occurring, by doing things like stocking up on food, water, batteries, and other things you will need during and immediately after the disaster. It also means doing things like shutting off utilities, such as gas, water, and electricity prior to a hurricane making landfall, for example. It means making sure your car has a full tank of gas, and is in good working order. It means knowing where your family will meet if not together when disaster strikes; having a place where everyone knows to go if displaced. It means being ready to respond when necessary - when an emergency or a disaster strikes.

The links below are to U.S. Government agencies which can provide additional information on disaster preparedness. 

DHS - Department of Homeland Security

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

DHHS - Department of Health and Human Services

CDC - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

DOE - Department of Energy

DOT - Department of Transportation

For information on weather related events, please click here to be taken to the page on weather.

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