Emergency Management Definition
Emergency management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to threats/hazards and cope with disasters.
Integrated Emergency Management
Integrated emergency management is more than a methodology; it is a culture to achieve unity of effort—a way of thinking about emergency management as a joint enterprise.
Emergency Management Principles

The following eight principles are being used to guide the development of a doctrine of emergency management:

  • Comprehensive
  • Progressive
  • Risk-Driven
  • Integrated
  • Collaborative
  • Coordinated
  • Flexible
  • Professional
Response Authorities
  • The Congressional Act of 1803 was the earliest effort to provide disaster relief on a Federal level after a fire devastated a New Hampshire town.
  • Defense Production Act of 1950 was the first comprehensive legislation pertaining to Federal disaster relief.
  • Executive Order 10427 emphasized that Federal disaster assistance was supplemental to State, local, and private-sector support.
  • Executive Order 12127 merged many of the separate disaster-related responsibilities into a new Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • The Stafford Act is legislation focused on providing Federal aid in an emergency.
  • The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) includes a key provision that accelerated assistance can be provided by FEMA in the absence of a State request.
  • The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 made changes to the way disaster assistance is delivered under a variety of programs and authorized tribal governments to request a declaration of an emergency or major disaster without going through the State.
Evolving Doctrine
  • Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8) describes the Nation’s approach to preparedness—one that involves the whole community, including individuals, businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, schools, tribes, and all levels of government, working together to build and sustain preparedness capabilities. 
  • The National Preparedness Goal outlines the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the Nation.
  • The National Preparedness System outlines the approach, resources, and tools for achieving the Preparedness Goal.
  • The National Planning Frameworks contain succinct, high-level descriptions of the coordinating structures necessary to build and sustain the core capabilities within each of the five mission areas (Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery).
  • The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides the template for the management of incidents.