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).
Displaying items 1-12 of 2433
» View 39online.com items only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11-203
•
Next >
-
Government Avoids Yet Another Shutdown
KIAHOnce again, for the third-time this year, the government avoided yet another shutdown. That is until November 18th rolls around and Congress is back having this same fight all over again. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was at the center of... -
Extreme Turbulence
KIAHColleen O'Neal of Lubbock says the turbulence she experienced on a flight from College Station to Houston back in 2009 injured her for life, and so she is suing Continental and three other airlines for it. What was supposed to be a 20-minute flight...Tags: United Air Lines, Air Transportation Industry, Pinnacle Airlines Corp., Continental Airlines
-
How to Help Victims of the Wildfires
KIAHWays to donate or volunteer United Way - All donations should be coordinated through the United Way at 281-292-4155 x 265. - United Way is taking in-kind and financial donations at HelpOurCounty.org. - To volunteer, go to HelpOurCounty.org. Red Cross...Tags: Tropical Storms, Nature, The Salvation Army, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Health and Safety at Work
-
Irene Arrives: East Coast gets hit with Category 1 Hurricane
Irene has arrived.
She made landfall as a category 1 storm this morning near Cape Lookout, North Carolina bringing with her heavy rain, flooding and 85 mile-per-hour winds.
The powerful winds have caused massive power outages and downed many trees.
A...Tags: North Carolina, Natural Disasters, Disasters, Barack Obama, Hurricane Irene (2011)
-
Shut Your Mouth
KIAHWhile speaking to a group of senior citizens in Florida, Republican Candidate Michele Bachmann insinuated the recent Washington-area earthquake and hurricane Irene are signs that god's angry with the leadership of the nation. What?! Millions of...Tags: Hurricanes, Texas, Natural Disasters, Florida, Ron Paul
-
Empty Pockets: FEMA Running Out Of Money
KIAHHurricane Irene’s remnants are still evident in the northeast that has left thousands homeless and roads and bridges torn apart. But when it rains, it really does pour. It seems like there may not be enough federal assistance money this time...Tags: Hurricanes, Natural Disasters, Disasters, Hurricane Irene (2011), Missouri
-
3 Years & $100-Million Later, Some Houstonians Are Still Living In A Disaster Zone
KIAHState records show nearly a third of the $109-million given to the city by the federal government was handed out to apartment landlords; despite the fact that FEMA damage reports clearly list low-income, elderly and disabled people living in single-family...Tags: Annise Parker
-
FEMA Steps Up To Help Texas
KIAHTexas has finally gotten its disaster declaration... President Barack Obama signed the declaration yesterday which gives federal assistance to those Texas counties affected by wildfires. And we're sure Governor Rick Perry couldn't be happier because now...Tags: Texas, Politics, Barack Obama, Elections
-
Texas Denied Federal Aid
KIAHTexas...denied Governor Rick Perry asked the federal emergency management agency for money to aid families that have been displaced since the wildfires spread across Texas last month...and was formally turned down. Perry's not too happy about it, but...Tags: Texas
-
Flood Water Forces Families Out of Homes
KIAHWith their carpet soaked, their floors muddied and the water mark on the wall as reminders of Friday night's flood the Barrientoses are trying to pick up the pieces. "We put things on the bed so that it wouldn't get wet, but then the beds got wet," 12...Tags: Natural Disasters, Disasters, Family, Rivers, Floods
-
Ike Could Get Woman Evicted
KIAHA Houston woman is worried Hurricane Ike could end up getting her evicted. Emmaline Wiley lost the roof of her mobile home in Ike. She's worked with FEMA and other organizations but so far has had no luck getting it fixed. Emma still has blue tarp on the...Tags: Hurricanes, Natural Disasters, Hurricane Damage, Meteorological Disasters, Metal and Mineral
-
The Long Road to Recovery
The long road to recovery continues, starting with the long line of cars headed to Galveston. Those trying to get back on the island faced more traffic only to be turned away one day after the island suspended indefinitely its "look and leave" policy....Tags: Texas, Montgomery (Montgomery, Alabama), Politics, Death, Houston
Sep 27, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Oct 12, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Sep 8, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Aug 27, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Aug 29, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Aug 30, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Sep 13, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Jul 2, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
May 4, 2011
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Jul 3, 2010
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Jul 19, 2010
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Sep 17, 2008
|Story| KIAH-LTV
Original site for FEMA topic gallery.
