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OEP'S DISASTER ASSISTANCE ROLE

OEP is a staff arm of the President, guiding Federal agencies in their responsibilities for civil emergency preparedness. Emergency preparedness makes possible the mobilization of the nation's human, natural and industrial resources to meet all conditions of national emergency, extending from the hardship and suffering of a natural disaster to an attack upon the United States. OEP's role in assisting the President is threefold: formulation of basic policies and plans, supervision of preparedness measures, and maintenance of stand-by capabilities to meet emergency requirements in the areas of government, the economy, and disaster assistance.

The Federal Disaster Act of 1950, Public Law 81-875, as amended, is the basic Federal disaster assistance authority. This act gives the President broad powers to supplement the efforts and resources of State and local governments in alleviating damage, hardship, and suffering caused by a "major disaster."

Based on the request of a Governor and the recommendation of the Director of OEP, the President determines whether a catastrophe is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration. The Director of OEP

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is responsible for designating the specific areas (usually counties) within the State to which the declaration is applicable. Such a declaration makes available the assistance authorized by Public Laws 81-875, 89-769, and 91-79, as well as aid from several agencies whose authority to assist stems from a Presidential declaration.

The President has delegated authority to the Director of OEP to direct Federal agencies to provide assistance in declared major disasters and to coordinate their assistance activities. This authority is further delegated by the Director to OEP Regional Directors, thus extending the President's authority to an official who operates in the disaster area.

On the basis of an agreement with the Governor of a "major disaster" State, OEP provides financial and other forms of assistance to the State, and to its designated political subdivisions. The relief and recovery activities authorized by PL 81-875 include actions for preserving life and property; replacement or repair of essential public facilities; removal of wreckage and debris; and temporary housing arrangements for those who have lost the use of their homes in the disaster. A major disaster declaration also permits assistance under other authorities, including PL 89-769 and PL 91-79. These laws authorize additional

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forms of Federal assistance, including more extensive aid for individuals, unemployment compensation for disaster victims, and debris removal from private property. Funds for these activities are specifically provided to the President for purposes of such disaster assistance, and OEP may reimburse other Federal agencies for disaster assistance activities performed at its direction.

Figure 1 describes briefly OEP's disaster mission.

As indicated on the chart, OEP has the responsibility to plan and prepare for disaster emergencies, evaluate disaster readiness, and direct a coordinated Federal response to disaster.

DISASTER EXPERIENCE IN 1969

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During calendar year 1969, there were 29 major disaster declarations - the largest number in any year since the program began in 1950. Major disasters affected 23 States six of them twice (California, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). All of these disasters involved flooding. Five resulted from the snow melt in the northern Midwest; five were caused by Hurricane Camille; two involved both tornadoes and flooding; all of the others resulted from heavy rains. (See Figure 2.)

OEP'S DISASTER MISSION

• FEDERAL

• REGIONAL

• STATE