Emergency Response Workers

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is in charge of building and supporting the nation's emergency management system. FEMA coordinates response to disasters that overwhelm the resources of local and state authorities. In order for FEMA to intervene in an emergency situation, the governor of the state in which the disaster has occurred must declare a state of emergency and formally request that the federal government respond to the disaster.

FEMA is part of the executive branch of government, meaning that it reports to the President, and only the President can declare a disaster. Disasters include hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes or other similarly devastating natural events. FEMA workers help disaster victims who have lost their homes find a place to stay, repair homes and work with city officials to fix public buildings. FEMA workers also teach people how to prepare for disasters and how to make their homes as safe as possible and works with communities in building safer, stronger buildings. FEMA trains firefighters and emergency workers and runs a flood insurance program.