Which incidents are within the jurisdiction of the Federal Management Agency?

The Federal Management Agency, specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is primarily responsible for coordinating the federal government's response to disasters and emergencies. While FEMA has a broad mandate, it closely aligns with incidents that involve significant disasters that affect public safety and require federal assistance.

Floods are considered a major disaster that often overwhelms local and state resources, prompting a federal response. FEMA plays a vital role in coordinating resources, providing funding for recovery efforts, and implementing disaster assistance programs specifically tailored for floods. This includes offering help in areas such as public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs to help communities prepare for future flood events.

While wildfires, earthquakes, and industrial accidents may also warrant federal attention, they typically fall under different federal agencies or programs. For example, wildfires often involve the U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies, while earthquakes might invoke responses from the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies focused on geological hazards. Industrial accidents may involve regulatory agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Thus, floods distinctly highlight FEMA's role as they are a well-defined area of responsibility for federal disaster management.