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Idea for FEMA
President Jimmy Carter sent to Congress the Reorganization Plan Number 3, which would create the Federal Emergency Management Agency. -
FEMA Established
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was established by Executive Order 12127. -
New FEMA Director
Louis O. Giuffrida appointed as Direct of FEMA, and priority was placed on preparing the government in the event of a nuclear attack. -
Hurricane Hugo
FEMA was slow to respond to North and South Carolina after Hurricane Hugo made landfall. -
Loma Preita Earthquake
FEMA was not prepared to deal with the Loma Prieta earthquake that hit the Bay Area of California. -
Hurricane Andrew and Iniki
FEMA was once again not prepared to deal with Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Iniki, which struck just a few weeks apart, and led to calls of abolishing FEMA. -
Midwest Floods
Under the new leadership of James Lee Witt, FEMA successfully responded to the Midwest floods, and changed the focus of postdisaster recovery by trying to move people out of harm’s way, by instituting a voluntary buyout and relocation program. -
Project Impact
Following the Oklahoma City bombing, and disagreement between agencies over who would handle a similar situation, FEMA launched a new approach called Project Impact: Building Disaster-Resistant Communities -
9/11
When the terrorist attacks occurred, FEMA activated the Federal Response Plan, and the strength of the U.S. emergency management system was proven. -
Homeland Security Act
President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act, which was the greatest federal reorganization plan since President Truman. -
FEMA Director Resigns
FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh resigns, and Michael Brown takes over. -
FEMA under DHS
Department of Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff places FEMA underneath the Department of Homeland Security. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Buras, LA, in one of the most devastating hurricanes of all time. -
PKERMA of 2006
The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 was passed, which requires the DHS to reconsolidate all of the emergency management functions into FEMA, elevate the status of FEMA within the department, protects FEMA from reassignment within DHS, and gives FEMA enhanced organization autonomy.
