Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief
The Army protects and supports the American people in the event of natural or man-made disasters and emergencies. Army programs provide public works and engineering assistance to protect human life, reduce suffering, and mitigate damage and threats to improved property. Response activities are supplemental to State and local efforts. The figure below shows just a few of the disasters to which the Army and its Corps of Engineers have responded.
Corps emergency authorities are administered pursuant to P.L. 84-99 , as amended, at the discretion of the Chief of Engineers. Under P.L 93-288 , as amended, (The Stafford Act) , the Corps may provide assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
P.L 84-99
Under PL 84-99 , the Corps may undertake a broad range of readiness and response activities. These include:
- Disaster preparedness
- Advance measures to alleviate flood threats
- Flood fighting
- Rescue and emergency relief efforts during ongoing flood events
- Emergency relief efforts during ongoing flood events
- Rehabilitation of flood control and federally authorized shore protection works which have been damaged by flood or coastal storms
This law also authorized the Corps to provide emergency supplies of clean water to localities whose water source has been contaminated and to assist in supplying water to drought-affected areas. Further, the Corps is authorized to provide essential services to preserve life and protect property in flood-impacted areas for up to 10 days, subsequent to a Governor's request for Federal assistance.
P.L 93-288 (The Stafford Act)
Under the Stafford Act the Corps utilizes is public works and engineering capabilities to support FEMA and other Federal agencies in responding to disasters and emergencies. Such activities are within the provisions of the Federal Response Plan. The Corps also participates in FEMA disaster recovery efforts by carrying out mission assignments within its areas of provisions of the Federal Response Plan. The Corps also participates in FEMA disaster recovery efforts by carrying out mission assignments within its area of expertise. Corps activities performed under the Stafford Act are usually reimbursed by FEMA.
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This page was last updated March 28, 2001, by Renea Coston. (renea.coston@conus.army.mil).