Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
◾
Taking mitigation measures to ensure against future disaster damage
◾
Collecting and distributing donations
◾
Building partnerships with business and industry for needed resources
◾
Taking care of environmental concerns
◾
Meeting the needs of victims
◾
Taking public health measures to protect against diseases and contamination
◾
Rebuilding bridges, roads, and other elements of the community's
infrastructure
Recovery also involves taking steps necessary to reopen damaged businesses,
reemploy workers, and other measures required to return the community to its
preemergency status.
A Brief History of Emergency Management
Throughout its history, the United States has faced many disasters—from natural
disasters to hazardous materials releases to terrorist attacks. Although all disas-
ters are local, the federal government will provide support—personnel, equipment,
resources, and funding—when local capabilities and capacities are exceeded.
Before the 1970s, various federal agencies and programs provided disaster relief
services. At one point, more than 100 federal agencies handled disaster and emer-
gencies. However, until four devastating hurricanes struck in the 1970s, the need
for improved disaster coordination at the federal level did not happen. Following
are the four hurricanes:
◾
Hurricane Agnes (1972)—This hurricane caused significant East Coast flood-
ing and $2 billion in damages.
◾
Hurricane Eloise (1975)—This hurricane caused $200 million in damages
and 76 fatalities.
◾
Hurricanes David and Frederick (1979)—These hurricanes were among the
deadliest ever seen in the Caribbean, with Frederick causing $2.2 billion in
damages.
These disasters and the need for disaster preparedness nationwide pushed the Carter
administration to establish the FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts at the
federal level.
Authorities and Directives
After creating FEMA, the federal government continued to refine disaster response
by creating several acts and directives. Some, such as the Robert T. Stafford Act,
