Policy elements
The federal disaster planning and relief policy is premised on the need for the federal government of America to be able handle disasters that occur in the United States of America at domestic level. The policy led to the substantive creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency which is responsible for preparing, preventing, mitigating the effects and recovering from domestic disasters within the United States of America. The policy essentially suffices for the provision of relief in the event of disasters from the federal government to the citizens of America. Some of the disasters considered by the policy include hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.
History of policy
The history of the federal disaster planning and relief can be traced back to the Congressional Act of 1803. The act was the first legislative piece that tackled elements of disaster in America. It was intended for the solution of the havoc occasioned due to a fire in New Hampshire. This legislation gave the federal government power over handling and solving of disaster matters. Similar acts were to be legislated that continually conferred responsibility of the federal government to assist in the management and response to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks and other natural disasters. However, it was the executive order 12127 that would effectively create the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1979. The order led to the merging of several agencies into one fold the FEMA. Some of the absorbed agencies included the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program, the Federal Preparedness Agency, among others. Ore fundamental change was to be witnessed on 2006 with the signing into law of the Post Katrina Emergency Reform Act. This conferred on the FEMA extensive federal responsibilities on the agency in matters concerning disaster preparedness and arrest.
Issues of federalism
The structure of the Federal Disaster Planning and Relief raises issues of federalism in terms of its functions. This primarily arises from the structuring of the American federal and state government. As it stands, a liberal interpretation of the federal governance in the United States of America would confer the responsibilities on disaster management and affairs on the state government. However, it is equally instructive to appreciate that the role of the federal government is to ensure the smooth operations of the national affairs. Disasters have a general national effect on the lives of the citizens. This dual aspect contradicts in one way and introduces issues of federalism over which body and government level need to manage and contain disasters. Federalists see the approach pursued by the federal government has an affront to the federalist system. In their narrative, they believe issues of disaster need to be left to the discharge of state governments and the federal presidency needs not indulge into matters dealing with disasters.
It is the contention of the paper that the federal role in the management and containment of disasters is necessary and an essential ingredient. In that vein, the paper appreciates the role of the government and takes the view that the management and containment of disasters through the Federal Emergency Management Agency is beneficial and essential for the overall protection of the rights of citizenry and for the provision of mitigation services in the event of disasters. In addition, the paper contends that the national government given its resources and equipment would be more efficient and better placed to handle and address disaster related issues as and when they arise. This helps in the elimination of duplicity of duties and tasks as conferring the responsibilities on the state government would mean each state government have its own independent disaster management body. Effectiveness in this context relates to the ability to provide mitigation services when required.
It is this paper’s contention that the federal government approach to disaster management in the character and form of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is consistent with the constitutional framework of the American system. It should be appreciated that the spirit of the American constitution on federalism was to limit imperialism and expand decision making and executive powers to the local states. In that context, disaster management does not fall within the confines of what could make the presidency imperial. In addition, the spirit and intention in the management of disaster lies in the need to provide citizens with services. It would be imprudent to deny the federal government responsibility on the premise that the constitution does not confer on it any powers or that an otherwise route would be to the detriment of the state government. Instead, state government need to embrace the federal government role in management and tackling of disasters. The former must tailor their products and services to be in consonance with the functioning of the federal government so that all the activities in play occur to the overall advantage and benefit of the citizenry.
References
Federal Emergency Management Agency . About Us. 23 January 2013. 19 May 2013. <http://www.fema.gov/about-agency>.
Weiss, Daniel and Jackie Weidman. "Disastrous Spending: Federal Disaster-Relief Expenditures Rise amid More Extreme Weather." Center For American Progress (2013): 1-10.
