The declaration also identifies the Federal Coordinating Officer. The Federal Coordinating Officer works in partnership with the State Coordinating Officer and Governor's Authorized Representative (or for Tribal declarations, the Tribal Coordinating Officer and Tribal Authorized Representative) to coordinate Federal resources and disaster assistance programs.

FEMA and the State, Territorial, or Tribal Government may initially operate at Emergency Operations Centers and, when warranted, subsequently establish a Joint Field Office for Federal, State, Territorial, and Tribal government coordination and administrative activities.