XIII. Housing and Home Finance Agency. A. Federal Housing Administration.. C. Urban Renewal Administration.......... D. Federal National Mortgage Association. 2. Responsibilities.. 3. Who is entitled to assistance. 4. Where to apply Housing and Home Finance Agency regional offices__ Federal National Executive Order 10782, September 6, 1958.. Federal Civil Defense Administration, regulations, May 26, 1958- Page 73 73 73 73 73 73 74 74 74 74 75 75 76 76 77 80 81 83 84 85 86 86 87 87 90 91 91 91 92 96 96 97 101 103 103 103 105 106 108 108 114 117 Prepared by C. Frank Keyser, analyst, conservation and natural resources, Legislative Reference Service, Library of Congress. FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF MANUAL I. OFFICE OF CIVIL AND DEFENSE MOBILIZATION INTRODUCTION All assistance by Federal agencies in major peacetime disasters is now a coordinated operation under Public Law 875, 81st Congress, which is the Federal Disaster Act of 1950. Section 5(a) of that act provides: In the interest of providing maximum mobilization of Federal assistance under this act, the President is authorized to coordinate in such manner as he may determine the activities of Federal agencies in providing disaster assistance. In accordance with this statement the assistance which the Federal agencies may be directed by the President to render to State and local agencies are enumerated in the act. Section 3 of Public Law 875, 81st Congress, states: In any major disaster, Federal agencies are hereby authorized when directed by the President to provide assistance (a) by utilizing or lending, with or without compensation therefor, to States and local governments their equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other resources, other than the extension of credit under the authority of any act; (b) by distributing, through the American National Red Cross or otherwise, medicine, food, and other consumable supplies; (c) by donating or lending equipment and supplies, determined under then existing law to be surplus to the needs and responsibilities of the Federal Government, to States for use or distribution by them for the purposes of the Act including the restoration of public facilities damaged or destroyed in such major disaster and essential rehabilitation of individuals in need as the result of such major disaster; and (d) by performing on public or private lands protective and other work essential for the preservation of life and property, clearing debris and wreckage, making emergency repairs to and temporary replacements of public facilities of local governments damaged or destroyed in such major disaster, providing temporary housing or other emergency shelter for families who, as a result of such major disaster, require temporary housing or other emergency shelter, and making contributions to States and local governments for purposes stated in subsection (d). The authority conferred by this Act, and any funds provided hereunder shall be supplementary to, and not in substitution for, nor in limitation of, any other authority conferred or funds provided under any other law. Any funds received by Federal agencies as reimbursement for services or supplies furnished under the authority of this section shall be deposited to the credit of the appropriation or appropriations currently available for such service or supplies. The Federal Government shall not be liable for any claim based upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a Federal agency or an employee of the Government in carrying out the provisions of this section 1 DELEGATION OF PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY The Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization has been designated by the President of the United States to administer the Federal Disaster Act of 1950 (Public Law 875, 81st Cong.), and supplemental legislation, by Executive Orders 10427, 10737, and 10773, and to prescribe rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions thereof. Public Law 875 has defined a major disaster as follows: A major disaster: Means any flood, drought, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which, in the determination of the President, is or threatens to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant disaster assistance by the Federal Government to supplement the efforts and available resources of States and local governments in alleviating the damage, hardship, or suffering caused thereby, and respecting which the Governor of any State (or the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia) in which such catastrophe may occur or threaten to occur certifies the need for disaster assistance under the Federal Disaster Act (Public Law 875), and shall give assurance of expenditure of a reasonable amount of the funds of the government of said State, local governments therein, or other agencies, for the same or similar purposes with respect to such catastrophe.1 1. Assistance available A. Following Presidential declaration of a major disaster area the OCDM may direct any Federal agency to provide assistance within its capabilities within the disaster affected area as follows: 1. By utilizing or lending, with or without compensation, transfer to States and local governments their equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other resources, other than the extension of credit under the authority of any act. 2. By distributing, through the American National Red Cross or otherwise, medicine, food and other consumable supplies. 3. By donating to States and local governments equipment and supplies determined under then existing law to be surplus to the needs and responsibilities of the Federal Government. 4. By performing on public or private lands protective and other work essential for the preservation of life and property. 5. By providing temporary housing or emergency shelter. 6. By debris and wreckage clearance, and emergency repairs and temporary replacement of essential public facilities of local governments. B. Following Presidential declaration of a major disaster area the OCDM may render financial assistance as follows: 1. To State and local governments upon a showing of need for utilization in alleviating the effects of the disaster for protective work and other work for the protection of life and property, debris and wreckage clearance, and emergency repairs and temporary replacement of essential public facilities of local governments, including provisions for temporary housing or emergency shelter. 2. To Federal agencies for reimbursement of expenditures made in accordance with the regulations of the OCDM and at the direction of OCDM as governed by OCDM regulations relative thereto. 3. To State and local governments for reimbursement of expenditures made in accordance with the rules and regulations 123 F.R. 3636, May 27, 1958. of OCDM in carrying out disaster relief operations approved in advance by the OCDM. C. Coordination and direction of disaster relief operations by Federal agencies. D. Cooperation with and coordination of disaster relief operations by State, local, and private organizations and agencies. E. Advice, guidance, and program direction to all levels of government in relief operations. 2. Responsibilities A. Prior to determination of a major disaster: 1. In order to further the most effective utilization of the personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities and other resources of Federal agencies pursuant to the Federal Disaster Act during a major disaster, such agencies from time to time shall make suitable plans and preparations in anticipation of their responsibilities. The OCDM will coordinate such planning on the national level and on a regional level, on behalf of the President. 2. The Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, in cooperation with other Federal agencies will develop appropriate memoranda of understanding to clarify areas of Federal responsibility in natural disaster plans and operations. 3. The Director of OCDM fosters the development of such State and local organizations and plans as may be necessary, including specialized training, to cope with major disasters. In so doing he makes it clear to such State and local and private agencies that Federal assistance is supplemental to that afforded by State, local, and private agencies, and not in substitution therefor. He shall ascertain that such State and local agencies have or plan to utilize their own resources, facilities, and funds to the fullest degree. B. Upon determination that a major disaster exists or threatens to occur: 1. The appropriate regional director, OCDM, receives the request for Federal assistance from the Governor of any State in which a disaster has occurred or threatens to occur, and which constitutes or will eventuate in a major natural disaster. The regional director, OCDM, determines that each request includes: (a) The assurance of the expenditure of a reasonable amount of the State, local governments or other agencies' resources for alleviating damage from the disaster. (b) An estimate of the severity and extent of damage resulting from the disaster and the total funds, personnel, equipment, and material or other resources required to alleviate such damage (damage comprehends suffering and hardship). (c) A statement of action taken or recommended to be taken by the State legislature or local legislating and governing authorities with regard to the disaster. (d) A statement of the extent and nature of the minimum amount of Federal assistance needed (Federal funds, personnel, equipment, material, or other resources) to alleviate damage caused by the disaster. |