When and how is FEMA called in to assist?
FEMA may activate in advance of a predicted disaster such as a hurricane when there is plenty of warning. This scenario may involve a federal “pre-disaster” presidential declaration. In these cases, FEMA moves and stages resources in advance of the event.

On no-warning events such as a tornado, local jurisdictions must exhaust their own resources, neighboring and regional resources and then request help from the state. The state will call on FEMA when the state’s resources are overwhelmed requesting a presidential disaster declaration after the governor declares a state of emergency.

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1. What is emergency management?
2. What is the difference between an “emergency” and a “disaster”?
3. When and how is FEMA called in to assist?
4. How are volunteers coordinated?