The Stafford Act summarizes the procedure for States to request Federal assistance during an emergency:
A Governor may request the President to declare a major disaster or emergency if the Governor finds that effective response to the event is beyond the combined response capabilities of the State and affected local governments. Based on the findings of a joint Federal-State-local Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) indicating the damages are of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant assistance under the act, the President may grant a major disaster or emergency declaration. (Note: In a particularly fast-moving or clearly devastating disaster, the PDA process may be deferred until after the declaration.)
If the President determines that an emergency exists where the primary responsibility for response rests with the Government of the United States, or because the emergency involves an area or facility for which the Federal Government exercises exclusive or preeminent primary responsibility and authority, the President may unilaterally direct the provision of assistance under the act and will, if practicable, consult with the Governor of the State.
The Dept. of Homeland Security can use limited pre-declaration authorities to move initial response resources (critical goods typically needed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster such as food, water, emergency generators, etc.) closer to a potentially affected area.
Federal assistance takes many forms—including the direct provision of goods and services, financial assistance (through insurance, grants, loans, and direct payments), and technical assistance—and can come from various sources.
In a major disaster or emergency as defined in the Stafford Act, the President "may direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance efforts..." [section 402(a)(1) and 502(a)(1) of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5170a(1) and § 5192(a)(1)].
Role of National Guard In Disaster Recovery Operations:
http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Na...ponse.html
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