Public Assistance Program
Under the Public Assistance (PA) Program, FEMA provides aid to communities and States to help them recover from disasters as quickly as possible.
Immediately following a disaster communities are responsible for the protection of their residents. Local emergency response forces will always be the first line of defense in the steps to recovery.
Once a local government and recovery resources have responded to the best of its ability it is time to turn to State support for recovery help. The governor then decides whether the state’s emergency plan will be executed, or the state’s police force or National Guard’s assistance is needed.
If the situation requires aid beyond combined local and state efforts the Governor then requests that the president declares it a major disaster under the authority of the Stafford Act.
Regardless of the scope of the disaster, or the size of the community it has affected, local and state governments often need the assistance of FEMA Public Assistance programs to fully recover.
The Public Assistance Program is based on a partnership between FEMA, State, and local officials.
- FEMA manages the program, approves grants, and provides technical assistance to the State and applicants.
- The State educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program.
- Local officials identify the damage, provide information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and manage the projects funded under the PA Program.
Categories of Public Assistance Program work include:
- Debris removal
- Emergency protective measures
- Roads and bridges
- Water control facilities
- Buildings and equipment
- Utilities
- Parks, recreational, and other
