fema what is it

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security that coordinates the federal government's response to disasters within the US. It was created in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. FEMA's main purpose is to support state and local authorities when disasters overwhelm their resources, but the state governor must declare a state of emergency and request federal assistance, except for disasters on federal property. FEMA's roles include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. It provides direct assistance and funding to help individuals, communities, and governments prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural or man-made disasters. It also supports training, education, and resilience-building efforts for emergency responders and the public. FEMA has 10 regional offices across the country and employs over 20,000 people, with the workforce expanding during major disaster events. The agency manages programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program and disaster relief grants, and it coordinates search and rescue operations and critical supplies during disasters. In summary, FEMA helps people before, during, and after disasters by coordinating response efforts, providing financial support, training, and resources to make the nation safer and more prepared for disasters. Its mission is to reduce loss of life and property and support disaster resilience nationwide.