FEMA and Disaster Assistance: Federal Emergency Management Framework

This report examines the federal emergency management framework, including the Stafford Act, the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Disaster Recovery Framework. It describes the presidential disaster declaration process, individual assistance programs, and public assistance for state and local governments.

The report discusses the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Disaster Relief Fund, and hazard mitigation grant programs. It analyzes trends in disaster declarations, the rising costs of disaster response and recovery, and the impact of climate-related disasters on FEMA's operational capacity.

Congressional considerations include proposals to reform the Stafford Act, address the NFIP's financial sustainability, modernize FEMA's public assistance delivery model, improve disaster preparedness and mitigation investments, and streamline the federal disaster recovery process across multiple agencies.