WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaders of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee began work last month on a bill that would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

The FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2017, once signed into law, will attempt to address the rising cost of disasters in America. The bill would signify the first Congressional reauthorization of FEMA, the agency responsible for coordinating the federal government’s role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made – including acts of terror, “FEMA is responsible for leading the nation in developing a comprehensive national emergency management system for all hazards,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.). “Since 1989, FEMA alone has obligated $200 billion for over 1,300 major presidentially declared disasters.”

Barletta said the bill would reauthorize hazard training centers and initiatives that help build disaster response capacity in communities.

The bill is co-sponsored by Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.).

“Losses in lives and economic costs as a result of disasters have been rising in recent years,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Shuster at a committee markup meeting on May 24.

“This bill begins to seriously address this trend and seek ways to reduce losses caused by future disasters.

“It reauthorizes FEMA through 2020, makes reforms to improve disaster response and supports our emergency responders. This is a simple straight forward bill we should all support.”

FEMA provides victims of disaster, including farmers, with needed financial security after being affected by a disaster whether it is a storm, fire, drought or flood.

FEMA offers many grants for disaster assistance, which include grants for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured private property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by a disaster. 

 

“This bipartisan legislation will help FEMA carry out its core mission to support families, communities and first responders when disasters or emergencies strike,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member DeFazio in a press release.

FEMA petitions residents who were impacted to apply for assistance through its website at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

“As disaster costs and losses continue to rise across the nation, we need to ensure that the federal government is prepared to respond and our communities are strong and resilient,” said Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Chairman Barletta in a press release. “This bill would improve our ability to mitigate disaster damages, train first responders and improve our nation’s ability to recover from catastrophes.”

There are limits and restrictions to the organization’s relief efforts.

“Individual states and local governments have the primary legal authority and responsibility to protect their citizens and respond to disasters and emergencies,” a FEMA spokesperson told Farm World.

“Additional assistance from the federal government may be required; however, only when state and local governments and nonprofit agencies cannot adequately respond to a disaster or emergency.”

FEMA can trace its beginnings to the Congressional Act of 1803, according to its website. “This act, generally considered the first piece of disaster legislation, aided a New Hampshire town following an extensive fire,” the website states.

The agency was created by Executive Order 12127, which was signed by then-President Jimmy Carter on April 1, 1979.