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Section 7. Effect on other orders

Any other orders or parts of orders the provisions of which are inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this order are hereby amended or superseded accordingly.

SINCLAIR WEEKS, Secretary of Commerce.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FEDERAL CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING RESPONSIBILITIES IN MAJOR DISASTER OPERATIONS UNDER PUBLIC LAW 875, 81ST CONGRESS In recognition of the responsibilities and functions of the Department of Agriculture and its organizational units, and those delegated to the Federal Civil Defense Administration by Executive Order 10427, and Public Law 875, 81st Congress, this statement of understanding of responsibilities of the two agencies for assistance in major disasters is deemed advisable.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this memorandum is to:

(a) Describe responsibilities and functions of the Department established under law by express provision, policy or practice for providing assistance to States, local governing bodies and individuals in the alleviation of damage, hardship or suffering caused by disasters;

(b) Arrange for development of suitable plans and preparations to insure maximum utilization of resources of the Department in disasters;

(c) Describe responsibilities of FCDA in the coordination of Federal assistance in disasters and in plans and preparations therefor;

(d) Outline procedures for assistance by the Department when authorized by FCDA pursuant to Executive Order 10427, and Public Law 875 and for reimbursement of authorized additional expenses incurred therefor; and

(e) Provide adequate information and guidance to the field personnel of both agencies on the provisions of Public Law 875 and Executive Order 10427.

II. Disaster responsibilities and functions of the Department of Agriculture

Section 4 of Executive Order 10427 recognized the necessity of all Federal agencies acting promptly in disaster situations in conformity with existing policies, practices and statutory authority under circumstances which will not permit delay and pending the determination of the President as to whether the disaster is a major disaster.

There is attached hereto as appendix A a statement of the activities or services in this area for which the Department is responsible. This appendix will include to the extent possible additional information regarding resources which might be utilized by FCDA under the provisions of Public Law 875, but which may not be used by the Department under their existing authority or practice. Appendix B provides a guide for local, State, and regional contacts.

III. Planning for disaster assistance

(a) Departmental planning.-Section 2 of Executive Order 10427 requires Federal agencies to make suitable plans and preparations in anticipation of their responsibilities in the event of a major disaster.

Plans and procedures will be developed at the departmental level to:

(1) Provide interchange of information between the Department and FCDA:

(2) Provide continuing liaison;

(3) Insure that accurate and complete information relative to the disaster insofar as it affects the activities of the Department reaches the public promptly;

(4) Arrange an orderly means for coordination of the Department's disaster activities with those of other agencies by FCDA; and

(5) Provide for the delegation of authority by FCDA to the Department when required and for reimbursement by FCDA of services and facilities provided by the Department under such delegations.

(b) Field planning.-Field offices of the Department are authorized to prepare plans and procedures to insure maximum benefit at minimum cost in the utilization of the resources of the Department in disaster situations occurring within their respective or geographical functional areas of responsibility. Plans and

procedures, at the field level, should be on the same basis as those outlined above for the departmental level. Such plans should include, but not be limited to:

(1) Arrangements for an interchange of information with the regional office of FCDA regarding existing or threatened disasters;

(2) Adequate inventories of manpower, equipment and material usable in disasters. Such inventories should be available at the field offices of the organizational units of the Department with summary information of types or classes furnished to FCDA regional offices;

(3) Exchange of directories of key personnel of the Department and FCDA;

(4) Statements of geographical and functional areas of responsibility; and

(5) An operating procedure specific enough to insure adequate operation but flexible enough to cover varying types of disasters.

IV. Coordinating responsibility of FCDA

(a) For Federal assistance in disasters.-Public Law 875 and Executive Order 10427 provide that all Federal agencies utilize any authority available to them to assist States and local governments in the alleviation of damage, hardship, and suffering occasioned by disasters. Section 4 of Executive Order 10427 provides that such assistance shall be subject to coordination by the Federal Civil Defense Administrator acting on behalf of the President.

When necessary assistance is immediately required, the appropriate officials of the Department will act promptly and notify the FCDA regional administrator of action taken at the earliest opportunity subsequent thereto.

In instances where no delay will be caused the FCDA regional administrator should be notified of a request for assistance before assistance is rendered. Federal Civil Defense Administration's coordination will consist of the evaluation of requests received and total assistance needed, and facilitate agreement on necessary action by various agencies to meet the overall problems involved. It will make necessary decisions regarding assistance to be furnished in cases where two or more Federal agencies have conflicting or overlapping interests or authorities. Responsibility for coordination of Federal assistance within the various regions of FCDA has been delegated to the regional administrators by the Administrator.

Disasters determined to be major disasters will require coordinating action to insure adequate and economical operation in furnishing Federal assistance. Disasters not declared major disasters may require Federal assistance entirely within the scope of authority and practice of the Department. In such instances FCDA coordination may not be required. However, FCDA regional administrators should be advised of all assistance to State and local governments as previously provided.

(b) Planning coordination.-The Federal Civil Defense Administrator is directed by the President to coordinate the provision of suitable plans and preparations for disaster assistance by all Federal agencies having responsibilities or capabilities in this field. Staff personnel of FCDA at the departmental level are working with the representatives of the Department on these plans and preparation. Each regional administrator, FCDA, will work with field personnel of the Department on similar plans for the Department's field organizational units. V. Disaster assistance authorized by FCDA under Public Law 875

(a) Providing such assistance.-When the President has determined that a major disaster exists the Federal Civil Defense Administrator is authorized, within the scope of the President's determination, to direct Federal agencies to provide assistance in conformity with section 3 of the act. The Administrator has delegated this authority to each FCDA regional administrator for his region.

Upon written request and authorization of a regional administrator of FCDA, field offices of the Department are authorized to furnish personnel, equipment, or other resources of the field organization in accordance with the provisions outlined therein.

(b) Reimbursement for such assistance. The additional cost to the Department of assistance requested and authorized by FCDA to be furnished under the provisions of section 3 of Public Law 875 may be subject to reimbursement. Such reimbursement will generally be from a specific allotment from the funds available to the President under Public Law 875 and will ordinarily cover expenses

incurred by the Department in furnishing the assistance which are in addition to the normal day-to-day operating expenses of the Department. These additional expenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, pay of additional personnel; overtime pay of all personnel; per diem expenses and transportation of personnel; materials and supplies; costs of materials, equipment, and supplies furnished and not returned; costs of operating equipment and processing equipment in and out of storage; packing and crating; and, in certain cases, replacing major items of equipment lost or damaged beyond economical repair. Requests for reimbursement must be fully documented. Records of the Department pertinent to the operation will be open for examination by the Federal Civil Defense Administration or its authorized representatives.

VI. Advice to field offices

This joint agreement will be circulated within the Department of Agriculture and FCDA at both departmental and field levels and to State governors and State and local civil defense offices.

Whenever there is a question of interpretation of this agreement or any other question not resolved at the field level, the question should be referred by the field personnel to their respective departmental heads for decision.

This agreement does not affect any other agreement between the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Civil Defense Administration relative to civil defense responsibility under the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 (Public Law 920, 81st Cong.).

TRUE D. MORSE,

Under Secretary, Department of Agriculture.
H. L. AITKEN,
For VAL PETERSON,

Administrator, Federal Civil Defense Administration.

MARCH 8, 1954.

APPENDIX A

DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH AGENCIES OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

A. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY NOT REQUIRING ACTION UNDER PUBLIC LAW 875

1. Agricultural Research Service

Inspection of meat and meat food products (which move in interstate commerce) for wholesomeness and fitness for human consumption. Control of the movement of diseased livestock and livestock from areas where contagious diseases of animals exist, and quarantine and inspection of livestock in infected areas. Control of plant diseases and insect infestation by quarantines and restrictions on importation or transportation of plants and insect pests. Sanitary inspection of renovated-butter plants.

2. Agricultural Marketing Service

Crop reporting service in cooperation with States providing information on crop acreage, livestock numbers, and crop conditions. Grading and inspection of agricultural commodities for class, quality, and condition on a fee basis. Arranging for the distribution of food acquired from Commodity Credit Corporation or available from surplus removal programs to schools, institutions, and needy persons.

3. Commodity Stabilization Service

Supplying agricultural commodities through the Commodity Credit Corporation which generally has substantial inventories of commodities acquired under price-support programs. The Commodity Credit Corporation also has authority to acquire agricultural commodities for resale. Generally, if sales are at subsidized prices or donations are made, the Corporation must be reimbursed from supplemental sources.

4. Cooperative Extension Service

Furnishing advice on cleanup of damaged property, sanitary precautions, water supply and sewage disposal, insect infestation, the use of canned and lockerstored food subject to interrupted power service, use of electric service after disaster, safety of damaged buildings, food and water for livestock, substitute planting for damaged crops, grain storage problems, and renovation of equipment and farm facilities.

5. Farmers' Home Administration

Providing agricultural credit to farmers who cannot get credit elsewhere for farm operations, farm ownership, farm housing, and water facilities. In addition, provides emergency loan assistance in areas where production disasters have occurred, as designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

6. Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

Payment of indemnities to insured farmers who have suffered crop failures by reason of disasters such as floods or droughts. Assistance is available to eligible farmers in a restricted number of counties.

7. Forest Service

Furnishing personnel and equipment to fight fires in or adjacent to national forests, and taking other emergency measures in connection with disasters in national forests.

8. Rural Electrification Administration

Provide credit and technical assistance to rural electric and telephone systems that are borrowers from REA, for the purpose of restoring and maintaining such power and communication services.

9. Soil Conservation Service

Contribution of technical advice in dealing with emergency protection against high water, and giving assistance and technical advice in connection with agricultural rehabilitation work following disasters.

10. Agricultural Conservation Programs Service

Provides administrative facilities for the formulation and administration of programs of direct financial assistance to individual farmers and ranchers for rehabilitation and restoration of farm and ranch land damaged by floods to productive capacity. Presently administering the 1952 and 1953 farmland restoration programs, authorized under Public Law 202, 82d Congress, and Public Law 371, 82d Congress.

B. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY UNDER PUBLIC LAW 875

In general, the personnel and facilities of the entire Department would be available. The Department has offices in every State and in practically every agricultural county in the United States, as well as in Alaska, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii. More specific responsibilities of the Department are listed below.

1. Agricultural Research Service

Furnish trained field veterinarians and scientific personnel skilled in physical, biological, chemical, and engineering research.

2. Agricultural Marketing Service

Furnish administrative structure and direction for distributing federally acquired food. Furnish veterinarians and food inspectors and graders trained in plant sanitation and food inspection.

3. Commodity Stabilization Service

Furnish feed for livestock at reduced prices or by donation pursuant to Public Law 115, 83d Congress, in disaster areas under Public Law 875. Authority has been delegated by Federal Civil Defense Administrator to the Secretary of Agriculture to delineate areas affected by the disaster for purposes of these programs (18 F. R. 4609). Provide facilities for the acquisition, storage, and handling of food and feed.

4. Farmers' Home Administration

Furnish economic disaster loans to farmers pursuant to Public Law 115, 83d Cong., in disaster areas under Public Law 875.

5. Forest Service

Supply services indicated in A-7 at places other than national forests and adjacent territory.

6. Soil Conservation Service

Furnish heavy earth-moving equipment.

APPENDIX B
DIRECTORY

A. DIRECTORY FOR OBTAINING LOCAL, STATE, AND REGIONAL SERVICES IN MAJOR DISASTERS THROUGH AGENCIES OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

1. Agricultural Research Service

Field representatives are located strategically throughout the States. 2. Agricultural Marketing Service

Contact the agricultural statistician in each State. In a few instances more than one State is served by a single office. Contact the various commodity inspection and grading offices located throughout the country. Contact the local or State educational agency for the name and address of the State commodity distribution agency, or contact the appropriate area office of the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Distribution Division listed below:

Food Distribution Division, AMS, 139 Center Street, room 802, New York 13, N. Y. Food Distribution Division, AMS, 50 Seventh Street NE., room 252, Atlanta 5, Ga. Food Distribution Division, AMS, 185 North Wabash Avenue, room 2003. Chicago 5, Ill.

Food Distribution Division, AMS, 1114 Commerce Street, room 1812, Dallas 2, Tex. Food Distribution Division, AMS, 630 Sansome Street, 626 Appraisers Building, San Francisco 11, Calif.

3. Commodity Stabilization Service

Locally, contact the county agricultural stabilization and conservation committee, usually located at the county seat. At the State level, contact the State agricultural stabilization and conservation committee. Commodity Stabilization Service commodity offices are located as follows:

Boston: 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston 10, Mass.
Chicago: 623 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, Ill.
Dallas: 3306 Main Street, Dallas 26, Tex.

Kansas City: Federal Office Building, 911 Walnut Street, Kansas City 6, Mo.
Minneapolis: 1006 West Lake Street, Minneapolis 8, Minn.

New Orleans: Worth Building, 120 Marais Street, New Orleans 16, La.
Portland: Eastern Building, 515 SW 10th Avenue, Portland 5, Oreg.

4. Cooperative Extension Service

Contact the county extension agent or home demonstration agent, usually located at the county seat. At the State level, contact the director of extension, located at the State agricultural college.

5. Farmers Home Administration

Contact the county supervisor, usually located at the county seat. Contact the Farmers Home Administration State director at the State level.

6. Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

Contact State officers of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, established in the majority of States.

7. Forest Service

Contact the nearest forest supervisor or regional forester.

Region

1. Federal Building, Missoula, Mont.

2. Federal Center, building 85, Denver, Colo.

3. Post Office Building, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

4. Forest Service Building, Ogden, Utah.

5. 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco 11, Calif.

6. Post Office Building, Portland, Oreg.

7. Bankers Security Building, Philadelphia 2, Pa.

8. Peachtree Building, 50 Seventh Street NE., Atlanta, Ga.

9. Madison Building, Milwaukee 3, Wis.

10. Federal Territorial Building, Juneau, Alaska Tropical: Post Office Box 577, Rio Piedras, P. R.

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