FEMA History: What It Does And How Many People Work For The Agency

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMAwas created under President Jimmy Carter in 1979 to coordinate response to disasters that overwhelm local and state authorities. FEMA is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security and is headquartered in Washington, DC, with Cameron Hamilton serving as Acting Administrator.

Over the years, FEMA has played a crucial role in responding to and helping states and communities through some of the worst tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters the United States has ever faced, mostly recently during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. FEMA does not act during a disaster until and unless the local authority of the state governor asks the President for an emergency declaration.

FEMA has over 17,300 full-time employees and hires temporary workers in case of major disasters. The agency has a budget of $33.08 billion, and the funds need to be replenished by Congress every year. This money is distributed among states depending on the emergencies that occur in each one. FEMA pays for disaster recovery as well as building projects designed to protect against future calamity. The funds are also used to directly send financial aid to distressed residents in a calamity zone, ranging from $750 in individual payments for emergency needs to $42,500 for uninsured homeowners.

FEMA used to be an independent agency from 1979 to 2003. It was absorbed into the Department of Homeland Security, which was created after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in 2003. The agency has come under criticism several times, including for its mismanagement during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

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