target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#ulink_7a68cba1-8ebb-5ba7-9f85-8f22d930db3b">Table 2‐1 Federal Departments and Their Role in a Disaster
| Department/agency | Disaster functions |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Suppresses rural and urban fires |
| U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) | Provides information and assists with planning, resource support, communications, and hazardous material incidents |
| U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) | Assists with public works and engineering, flood control, transportation, urban search and rescue, firefighting, mass care, and health and medical services. The DOD may also become involved in the detection and response to hazardous material spills and weapons of mass destruction |
| U.S. Department of Education (DOED) | Collects, processes, and disseminates critical information |
| U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) | Restores energy systems and reacts to nuclear power plant emergencies |
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | Supplements local and state public health and medical operations Provides or reestablishes temporary and permanent housing |
| U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | Provides or reestablishes temporary and permanent housing |
| U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) | Supports with information and planning, emergency, communications, firefighting, and hazardous material functions |
| U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) | Participates in information and planning, urban search and rescue, health and medical services, and hazardous material issues. Also ensures that all laws pertaining to disaster assistance are followed |
| U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) | Contributes to public works, engineering, resource support, urban search and rescue, and hazardous material areas |
| U.S. Department of State (DOS) | Takes part in transpiration, energy, and hazardous material services |
| U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) | Fulfills transportation, information and planning, energy, hazardous material duties after a disaster |
| U.S. Department of Treasury (TREAS) | Funds long‐term recovery projects and mitigation measures |
| U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | Seeks assistance for veteran needs after a disaster as well as mass care and health and medical services |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Responds to and cleans up hazardous material spills and also works in firefighting, health and medical services |
| National Communications System | Facilitates communications after a disaster |
| General Services Administration (GSA) | Aids in logistical activities such as transportation, information and planning, mass care, and food distribution roles |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) | Completes urban search and rescue and other functions in reference to satellites and remote sensing |
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) | Shares expertise in energy and hazardous material disasters involving nuclear plants |
| Office of Planning and Management (OPM) | Advances logistical and resource support to all other federal agencies involved in disaster response or recovery |
| Small Business Administration (SBA) | Offers financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by disasters |
| Social Security Administration (SSA) | Supplies mass care, housing, and human services needs |
| Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) | Makes available transportation, public works, engineering, and energy services |
| US Agency for International Development (USAID) | Supplies urban search and rescue resources and disaster relief |
| U.S. Postal Service (USPS) | Imparts transportation support |
There are many other agencies and individuals that deal with disasters and emergency management besides those listed in the National Response and National Disaster Recovery Frameworks. Some agencies explore the causes and consequences of disasters, while others concentrate attention on specific types of events. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controls flight traffic before and after aviation accidents occur. The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) investigates transportation accidents such as plane crashes. In fall 2001, a plane crashed in a residential neighborhood in New York. The NTSB traveled to the scene and determined that the accident was caused by turbulence. The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) also probes the causes of accidents, but this organization looks more closely at injuries that result in the workplace. Another organization, the Chemical Safety Board, determines the source of industrial explosions that result from safety violations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are additional federal agencies that are involved in investigation. After the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma in 1995, the ATF and FBI were on the scene to determine what happened and decipher if it was an act of terrorism. The ATF and FBI also pursue and capture those who have violated laws relating to the possession of explosives and others who are considered suspected terrorists.
Other federal groups are involved in a myriad of activities including hazard detection and warning, fraud deterrence and general oversight. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is one example. It helps predict volcanic eruptions and determine the location and magnitude of earthquakes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) tracks hurricanes that form in the ocean and approach land. The
National Weather Service (NWS) deals with warnings pertaining to thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, hail and other forms of severe weather. The Office of the Inspector General (IG) ensures that federal agencies and disaster victims are not misusing funds intended for disaster assistance.
Besides government agencies, congressional representatives and senators often become involved in post‐disaster activities. These elected leaders bring visibility to disasters and attempt to acquire additional resources for victims and affected jurisdictions. After 9/11, for example, New York Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer gave several interviews about the needs of New York City and what assistance was still needed. Congressional representatives also help communities and states resolve problems made evident during response and recovery operations. Since Hurricane Katrina, congressional leaders from Louisiana have been determining how to improve their state’s response capabilities. They are also working on measures that would make New Orleans safer, such as strengthening the levees. Senators and House of Representatives members may also pass ad hoc legislation
