Disasters declaration

A presidential major disaster declaration puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs, and designed to help disaster victims, businesses, and public entities. 

An emergency declaration is more limited in scope and without the long-term federal recovery programs of a major disaster declaration. In general, federal assistance and funding are provided to meet a specific emergency need or to help prevent a major disaster from occurring. 

A major disaster declaration usually follows these steps ... 

A major disaster declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an... 

After the application is taken, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications require more information and approval may take several weeks after application. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the president s major disaster declaration. 

Devastation caused by pests has troubled both ancient and modem humans often changing the course of history. The bubonic plague in Europe and the great potato famine in Ireland were both caused by pests. In 1884, grasshoppers caused such a food shortage in the midwestem United States that a national disaster was declared. 

In the 1970s, an unusual number of community residents (especially those who attended the elementary school) developed serious health problems. Moreover, the residents complained of noxious fumes and of chemicals oozing out of the ground. Subsequent government investigations found extensive contamination of the area, including groundwater supplies. In 1978, President Carter declared Love Canal a federal disaster area, and most of the residents in the area around the site were relocated. 

A major disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, or major fire that the president determines warrants supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the president s Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of other participating federal agencies. 

Individual Assistance. Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up a central field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free telephone number is published for use by affected residents and business owners in registering for assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are opened where disaster victims can meet with program representatives and obtain information about available aid and the recovery process. 

States themselves may not have sufficient resources to handle emergencies, and when this occurs, they may request assistance from the federal government. Typically the state governor will request that the President declare all or a portion of the state a federal disaster area, which will allow the use of federal resources to deal with the emergency (42 U.S.C. 519(a) [2002]). The President may, under certain circumstances, declare an emergency without a request from the state s governor (42 U.S.C. 5191(b) [2002]). 

On August 30, as I made my way to the shelter assignment as a Red Cross Disaster nurse, 1 had no idea what challenges 1 would face. At that time, it was not known that the levees would be breached, thousands would be stranded, and a public health emergency would ultimately be declared. Shelter health care, it turns out, is population-focused nursing care and all that implies. 

Certain events are blatantly catastrophic, and it is immediately clear that a mass casualty incident has occurred. Activation of the disaster plan occurs and a structured response is mobilized. Other events, such as an apartment building fire may not immediately declare themselves as disasters as casualties accumulate and local resources are dispensed, it will be decided if part of the entire disaster plan must be activated. The on-scene incident commander may be a firefighter or other first responder, depending on the nature of the incident. Please see chapter 8, Disaster Management, for information regarding the structure and function of the Incident Command System. 

The governor of an affected state may request a presidential declaration of disaster or emergency... 

Federal assistance for emergency vector surveillance and control is available when a disaster is declared and when one or more of the following conditions are met ... 

Another unemployment benefit programme is called Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), which became of great importance recently, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Individuals unemployed as a consequence of a great disaster, as declared by the President of the United States, are eligible for DUA benefits for up to 52 weeks. The programme is administered by the USDOL and the state UI agencies on the basis of administrative contracts and financed solely by federal funds. 

The tanker Baia Paraiso with one thousand tons of diesel oil on board sank at the coast of the Antarctic continent in January of 1989. Another tragedy happened in the Arctic waters of Alaska two months later. The tanker Exxon Valdez sank at the reef because of the fault of the captain. More than 40 thousand tons of petroleum flowed out from the hole into the waters. A petroleum slick covering an area up to 800 km2 was formed. The area in the Strait of Prince William was declared "a zone of disaster". The US Navy was involved with the cleanup. Nevertheless, there was the "potential for ecological disaster" with consequences that are difficult to foresee, according to the Washington Post. 

International Committee of the Red Cross (1969) Declaration of principles for international humanitarian relief to the civihan population in disaster situations. Int Rev Red Cross 104 632-633... 

---