The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA is an agency of the United States government dedicated to swift response in the event of disasters, both natural and man-made.

FEMA coordinates the work of federal, state, and local agencies in responding to floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. FEMA provides financial assistance to individuals and governments to rebuild homes, businesses, and public facilities; trains firefighters and emergency medical professionals; and funds emergency planning throughout the United States and its territories.

FEMA has responsibilities in all four domains of emergency management. They are:

• Mitigation: Reducing the severity or likelihood of the hazard.
• Prepredness: Ensuring you have the capability to respond to the hazard.
• Response: Immediate actions taken to save lives, property, the environment, and the economy.
• Recovery: Subsequent actions taken to restore property, jobs, and services.

FEMA was created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. Prior to that, emergency management functions were spread throughout the federal government.

The motto of the agency is PACE AC BELLO MERITA, which is latin for Service in Peace and War.

It is now part of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

External links

• FEMA web site
• A History of FEMA