Who We Are
The mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to help people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA is helping to “build a culture of preparedness” that stretches across the United States. They use scientific research to help people build a culture of preparedness. On April 1, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed an Executive Order that created FEMA. Since that day, FEMA has remained focused on protecting and serving people.
The Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) is one of FEMA’s Divisions that focuses on educating people. ICPD helps people prepare for emergencies using science-based research. They link science to communications, education, and tools that empower people to prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from a disaster.
FEMA uses this research to identify helpful actions people can take to prepare for an emergency. FEMA also looks at ways to motivate people to take those actions. They are researching how to improve the way underserved communities receive critical preparedness information and strategies. FEMA hopes that through science and research, they can find the best ways to help them take steps to prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from a disaster.
What We Offer
Since 2004, FEMA and Operation HOPE joined forces to help people become more financially prepared. Through these efforts they created the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). The EFFAK helps people prepare for disasters by giving tips on locating essential documents, budgeting, and saving. It also provides advice on managing finances and insurance, and insights on dealing with credit scores. The EFFAK also helps people hit by a disaster learn how to recover and apply for help.
FEMA has other resources such as ready.gov/kids and the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) that help youth become better prepared financially. Ready Kids helps kids, teens, and families learn about financial preparedness. FEMA’s YPC brings together youth to work on community preparedness projects and gives them a voice to advocate for youth preparedness.
Jump$tart Clearinghouse Links
What’s New
FEMA’s Efforts With the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Response
FEMA and its partners are working to achieve a whole-of-America response to COVID-19. They aim to protect the health and safety of every human life. They have gathered the known facts about pandemics and developed helpful tips of what to do before and during it occurs. FEMA has also developed COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season. This resource ties together how to respond before, during, and after a hurricane with COVID-19 guidance. And lastly, in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, FEMA is urging people to share Public Service Announcements and other content that provides vital and urgent messages to the public about COVID-19.
Connect With FEMA
- FEMA ICPD’s Website
- Ready.gov Financial Preparedness Portal
- FEMA’s YouTube channel
- FEMA’s Instagram, #FinancialFuture2020
