FEMA's Future: Perspectives on Readiness, Response, and Resilience

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages and coordinates federal response and recovery efforts to disasters and other emergencies. Its core mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. States typically lead the response to disasters, and FEMA steps in at the state's request when state resources are overwhelmed. Climate change and related severe weather events have dramatically changed the disaster landscape, straining capacities and resources at the local, state, and federal levels. Government and insurance industry data indicate that disasters are now more costly and have a greater impact than ever before. Additionally, FEMA has been tasked with new responsibilities, including playing a key role in the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This book examines the comprehensive role of FEMA, its challenges, and its evolving strategies to manage and mitigate disasters in an increasingly unpredictable world.