prof. sylves for fema higher ed conf 10 june 20101 presidential declarations of disaster: a...

Prof. Sylves for FEMA Higher Ed Prof. Sylves for FEMA Higher Ed Conf 10 June 2010Conf 10 June 2010 11

Presidential Declarations of Presidential Declarations of Disaster:Disaster:

A Catastrophe Declaration?A Catastrophe Declaration? By Prof. Rick Sylves (By Prof. Rick Sylves ([email protected])) Dept. of Political Science & International Dept. of Political Science & International RelationsRelations University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716 And Engineering Management & Systems And Engineering Management & Systems

EngineeringEngineering George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University 302-345-6876 cell302-345-6876 cell

mailto:[email protected]


Topic: Topic: The Politics and Policy of The Politics and Policy of Emergency Management: A Status Emergency Management: A Status

ReportReport

Description: Description: A status report on revision of the FEMA A status report on revision of the FEMA Higher Education-sponsored Instructor Guide (IG), Higher Education-sponsored Instructor Guide (IG), Political Political and Policy Basis of Emergency Managementand Policy Basis of Emergency Management being prepared being prepared by Professor Rick Sylves. Revised IG includes material on by Professor Rick Sylves. Revised IG includes material on President Obama’s administration and its policies regarding President Obama’s administration and its policies regarding both FEMA and emergency management.both FEMA and emergency management.

Presenters:Presenters: Professor Richard Sylves, Ph.D.Professor Richard Sylves, Ph.D. Department of Political Science & Department of Political Science &

International International RelationsRelations University of DelawareUniversity of Delaware and Engineering Management and Systems and Engineering Management and Systems

EngineeringEngineering George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University [email protected]@UDel.Edu


Presidential Disaster DeclarationsPresidential Disaster Declarations Types of presidential declarations pertaining to Types of presidential declarations pertaining to

disaster: disaster: 1) Major Disaster [DR] (issued serially since May 1) Major Disaster [DR] (issued serially since May

1953, most common, 1,912 as of today, see 1953, most common, 1,912 as of today, see http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema ); );

and and www.peripresdecusa.org my site. my site. 2) Emergency [EM] (since 1974, issued for 2) Emergency [EM] (since 1974, issued for

imminent disasters or for life safety, rescue help, imminent disasters or for life safety, rescue help, capped at $5 mil, 312 issued)capped at $5 mil, 312 issued)

3) Catastrophe (details of this type still being 3) Catastrophe (details of this type still being worked out: none issued so far) worked out: none issued so far)

Who can ask for them: only governors of states can Who can ask for them: only governors of states can ask.ask.

http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema

http://www.peripresdecusa.org/


Solomonic Judgments Solomonic Judgments

The Federal Government has suggested objective The Federal Government has suggested objective criteria by which to approve or deny Governor criteria by which to approve or deny Governor requests for Presidential Declarations of major requests for Presidential Declarations of major disasters or emergencies, but the president is free to disasters or emergencies, but the president is free to disregard this criteria and judge Governor requests disregard this criteria and judge Governor requests on a case by case. on a case by case.

Each event or incident is evaluated individually on its Each event or incident is evaluated individually on its own merits. The criteria set forth in the Stafford Act own merits. The criteria set forth in the Stafford Act for evaluation are:for evaluation are:

1.1. The severity and magnitude of the incident;The severity and magnitude of the incident; 2.2. The impact of the event; and,The impact of the event; and, 3.3. Whether the incident is beyond the capabilities Whether the incident is beyond the capabilities

of the State and affected local governments.of the State and affected local governments.


Why Presidential Declarations of Why Presidential Declarations of Disaster MatterDisaster Matter

Why do presidents sometimes turn down Why do presidents sometimes turn down requests governors have made for requests governors have made for Presidential Declarations? Presidential Declarations?

Governors ask Presidents to issue them, Governors ask Presidents to issue them, odds of approval from 1953-2004 are 2 in 3, odds of approval from 1953-2004 are 2 in 3, & 1989-2008, 3 in 4& 1989-2008, 3 in 4

How is the world of presidential disaster How is the world of presidential disaster declarations changing? FEMA’s incorporation declarations changing? FEMA’s incorporation into the Department of Homeland Security, into the Department of Homeland Security, National Incident Management System, National Incident Management System, National Response Framework, new terror National Response Framework, new terror threats with catastrophic consequences, threats with catastrophic consequences, including bioterror.including bioterror.


Turndowns as Turndowns as Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species ““TURNDOWN” refers to the action TURNDOWN” refers to the action

authorized by the President and signed by authorized by the President and signed by the FEMA Director which denies a the FEMA Director which denies a Governor’s request for a major disaster or Governor’s request for a major disaster or emergency Declaration. emergency Declaration.

It is noteworthy that the White House It is noteworthy that the White House announces Presidential “approvals” of Major announces Presidential “approvals” of Major Disaster and Emergency declarations, while Disaster and Emergency declarations, while it is left to FEMA (1979-2003) and DHS-FEMA it is left to FEMA (1979-2003) and DHS-FEMA (2003-today) to announce that the President (2003-today) to announce that the President has “turned down” a Governor’s request for has “turned down” a Governor’s request for a declaration. a declaration.


Pres. Bush signs pre-disaster Pres. Bush signs pre-disaster emergency declaration for states in emergency declaration for states in the path of Hurricane Katrina before the path of Hurricane Katrina before

landfalllandfall


Pres. Obama signs disaster declaration Pres. Obama signs disaster declaration for winter storms of 2010for winter storms of 2010


Let’s Talk Politics of DisasterLet’s Talk Politics of Disaster

Natural disasters also produce conditions that Natural disasters also produce conditions that allow political leaders to show their concern allow political leaders to show their concern for citizens' needs and demands. for citizens' needs and demands.

Government leaders who successfully address Government leaders who successfully address disaster related problems are likely to be disaster related problems are likely to be rewarded politically, while those leaders who rewarded politically, while those leaders who are unwilling or unable to act may suffer are unwilling or unable to act may suffer negative political repercussions. negative political repercussions.

Emergency management often suffers political Emergency management often suffers political interference in the response and recovery interference in the response and recovery stages.stages.


Today’s TalkToday’s Talk

Declaring Catastrophe?Declaring Catastrophe? Conceptual View #1: The Politics of Conceptual View #1: The Politics of

Declaring CatastropheDeclaring Catastrophe Conceptual View #2: The Policy Issues Conceptual View #2: The Policy Issues

Surrounding Catastrophe DeclarationsSurrounding Catastrophe Declarations Conceptual View #3: The Administration Conceptual View #3: The Administration

of Catastrophic Disaster Declarationsof Catastrophic Disaster Declarations


First PrinciplesFirst Principles

I am not going to waste your time trying to I am not going to waste your time trying to define what a catastrophe means and what a define what a catastrophe means and what a major disaster means.major disaster means.

This talk specifically explores what it means This talk specifically explores what it means if the president is granted or exercises the if the president is granted or exercises the authority to declare an event a authority to declare an event a “catastrophe,” “catastrophe,” on top of authority he already has to declare on top of authority he already has to declare a “major disaster” and an “emergency.”a “major disaster” and an “emergency.”

In the final slide set we can mull over what In the final slide set we can mull over what types of things win declarations and what types of things win declarations and what things do not.things do not.


Catastrophe in Federal Catastrophe in Federal ParlanceParlance

A catastrophic event could result in,A catastrophic event could result in, sustained national impacts over a sustained national impacts over a

prolonged period of time; prolonged period of time; almost immediately exceeds resources almost immediately exceeds resources

normally available to State, local, tribal, normally available to State, local, tribal, and private sector authorities; and private sector authorities;

and significantly interrupts governmental and significantly interrupts governmental operations and emergency services to operations and emergency services to such an extent that national security could such an extent that national security could be threatened.be threatened.


Catastrophic IncidentsCatastrophic Incidents

Catastrophic Incidents are, “Any Catastrophic Incidents are, “Any natural or manmade incident, including natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, which results in terrorism, which results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, and national environment, economy, and national morale and/or government functions.” morale and/or government functions.”


““Post-Katrina Emergency Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of Management Reform Act of

2006” 2006” Subtitle B, Chapter 2 –Emergency Management Subtitle B, Chapter 2 –Emergency Management

CapabilitiesCapabilities Sec. 631. State Catastrophic Incident Annex. Sec. 631. State Catastrophic Incident Annex.

This section amends section 613 of the Stafford Act to This section amends section 613 of the Stafford Act to require State and local governments to include require State and local governments to include catastrophic incident annexes as part of their planning catastrophic incident annexes as part of their planning in order to be eligible to receive FEMA funds. The in order to be eligible to receive FEMA funds. The specific requirements for such catastrophic incident specific requirements for such catastrophic incident annexes are delineated.annexes are delineated.

Of course the President could make such a declaration Of course the President could make such a declaration but it has no legal meaning since defined in PKEMA of but it has no legal meaning since defined in PKEMA of 2006 but not incorporated as trigger in any other 2006 but not incorporated as trigger in any other statute. Email 12 May 2010 William Cumming to Sylvesstatute. Email 12 May 2010 William Cumming to Sylves


View #1: Politics of View #1: Politics of Catastrophe Declaration - Catastrophe Declaration - FactorsFactorsPresidential Level ConsiderationsPresidential Level Considerations National Security implications of eventNational Security implications of event International implications of the eventInternational implications of the event Affect of event on national economyAffect of event on national economy Presidential image issuesPresidential image issues Threshold and Criteria JudgmentsThreshold and Criteria Judgments Ideological, electoral, and partisan implicationsIdeological, electoral, and partisan implications Presidential-Congressional relationsPresidential-Congressional relations Significance of precedents set by declaring an Significance of precedents set by declaring an

event a event a catastrophe.catastrophe. Others we can add.Others we can add.


View #1: Politics of View #1: Politics of Catastrophe FactorsCatastrophe Factors

Congressional Level ConsiderationsCongressional Level Considerations What does catastrophe declaration authority mean What does catastrophe declaration authority mean

for home for home states and districts, constituents, interest states and districts, constituents, interest groups, etc.?groups, etc.?

How will this affect committee and subcommittee How will this affect committee and subcommittee jurisdiction?jurisdiction?

Will this augment presidential power at the expense Will this augment presidential power at the expense of of Congress?Congress?

How can lawmakers press for catastrophe threshold and How can lawmakers press for catastrophe threshold and criteria definitions favorable to important political criteria definitions favorable to important political

interests?interests? Will catastrophe declarations increase the size and Will catastrophe declarations increase the size and

power of power of the Federal Executive at the expense of both the Federal Executive at the expense of both Congress and Congress and sub-national government?sub-national government?

Others we can name.Others we can name.


Disasters and Political Disasters and Political LegitimacyLegitimacy

Disasters and Disasters and catastrophes test catastrophes test governments and their governments and their political systems. political systems.

Failed disaster Failed disaster management risks management risks substantial substantial loss of loss of political legitimacypolitical legitimacy. .

““Out of power” political Out of power” political opponents and their opponents and their parties capitalize on the parties capitalize on the disaster management disaster management failures of the governing failures of the governing party and its officialdom. party and its officialdom.

BP oil platform burns in Gulf


View #2 Policy Issues of View #2 Policy Issues of Catastrophe DeclarationCatastrophe Declaration

Presidential Level ConsiderationsPresidential Level Considerations Legal implications, what difference does a new Legal implications, what difference does a new

disaster declaration category mean in law?disaster declaration category mean in law? Does adding declaration authority for Does adding declaration authority for

catastrophe catastrophe augment presidential authority or augment presidential authority or restrain it?restrain it?

Will Congress define the difference between a Will Congress define the difference between a major major disaster and a catastrophe or will the disaster and a catastrophe or will the president?president?

How will this affect president-governor relations?How will this affect president-governor relations? How will this affect the President’s relations with How will this affect the President’s relations with

Federal department and agency leaders? Federal department and agency leaders?


View #2 Policy Issues of View #2 Policy Issues of Catastrophe DeclarationCatastrophe Declaration

Congressional Level ConsiderationsCongressional Level Considerations

Redistribution issues, federal taxpayer subsidies Redistribution issues, federal taxpayer subsidies state and local government, and insurance industrystate and local government, and insurance industry

Does adding declaration authority for catastrophe Does adding declaration authority for catastrophe require more funding for the President’s Disaster require more funding for the President’s Disaster

Fund?Fund? Will Congress define the difference between a major Will Congress define the difference between a major

disaster and a catastrophe or will the president?disaster and a catastrophe or will the president? How will this affect president-governor relations?How will this affect president-governor relations? Can catastrophe declarations be issued for any and all Can catastrophe declarations be issued for any and all

types of terrorist attacks? types of terrorist attacks?


Emergency Management as Emergency Management as PolicyPolicy

Emphasis on facilitating change Emphasis on facilitating change and creating public value, most and creating public value, most particularly through disaster particularly through disaster mitigation and preparedness mitigation and preparedness activity.activity.

Emphasis on leadership that is Emphasis on leadership that is entrepreneurial and adept at entrepreneurial and adept at drawing in free or inexpensive drawing in free or inexpensive help through co-production help through co-production efforts and public-private efforts and public-private partnerships.partnerships.

These points are an adaptation These points are an adaptation of Frederickson and Smith’s of Frederickson and Smith’s public management theory. See public management theory. See H. George Frederickson and H. George Frederickson and Kevin B. Smith, Kevin B. Smith, The Public The Public Administration Theory PrimerAdministration Theory Primer (Cambridge, MA: Westview (Cambridge, MA: Westview Press, 2003): Table 5.2, 113.Press, 2003): Table 5.2, 113.

Craig Fugate is Pres. Obama’s Craig Fugate is Pres. Obama’s FEMA Administrator FEMA Administrator


View #3 Administrative Issues View #3 Administrative Issues of Catastrophe Declarationof Catastrophe Declaration

Presidential Level ConsiderationsPresidential Level Considerations How will this affect the scale of federal disaster How will this affect the scale of federal disaster

response? The number of participants in response? The number of participants in response?response?

How will this affect budgeting of funds for federal How will this affect budgeting of funds for federal disaster response? Will new accounts be needed disaster response? Will new accounts be needed within various federal departments and agencies?within various federal departments and agencies?

How will this affect jurisdiction assignments among How will this affect jurisdiction assignments among federal departments and agencies? Will the federal departments and agencies? Will the

National National Response Framework and National Incident Response Framework and National Incident Management System have to be refashioned?Management System have to be refashioned?


View #3 Administrative Issues View #3 Administrative Issues of Catastrophe Declarationof Catastrophe Declaration

Presidential and Congressional Level ConsiderationsPresidential and Congressional Level Considerations

How will intergovernmental program administration How will intergovernmental program administration be affected be affected by a catastrophe declaration?by a catastrophe declaration?

Will administrators run amok in envisioning catastrophic Will administrators run amok in envisioning catastrophic possibilities, just as they did for terrorism possibilities, just as they did for terrorism

vulnerability?vulnerability? Will disaster mitigation efforts be helped or hurt by Will disaster mitigation efforts be helped or hurt by

envisioning catastrophe scenarios? envisioning catastrophe scenarios? How will oversight be conducted? It is tough enough How will oversight be conducted? It is tough enough

now to now to evaluate the success or failure of disaster evaluate the success or failure of disaster management management programs, how would one go about programs, how would one go about evaluating catastrophe evaluating catastrophe management systems?management systems?


Yes, yes, I know,highly unreadable.This is a snapshotof how theNational IncidentManagementSystem works underThe NationalResponseFramework.


Conceptual Conceptual View TypeView Type

(Below)(Below)

Definitional Definitional Distinction Distinction Problem 1Problem 1

Definitional Definitional Distinction Distinction Problem 2Problem 2

Politics of Politics of CatastropheCatastrophe

Emergency Emergency vs. vs. CatastropheCatastrophe

Major Disaster Major Disaster vs. vs. CatastropheCatastrophe

Policy of Policy of CatastropheCatastrophe

Emergency Emergency vs. vs. CatastropheCatastrophe


AdministratioAdministration of n of CatastropheCatastrophe

Emergency Emergency vs.vs.

CatastropheCatastrophe



Talk Amongst YourselvesTalk Amongst Yourselves

Will a catastrophe declaration be symbolic or Will a catastrophe declaration be symbolic or real?real?

If “symbolic” it may merely be an exhortation If “symbolic” it may merely be an exhortation to the public and responders that an event is to the public and responders that an event is a “big deal” but still simply a major disaster.a “big deal” but still simply a major disaster.

If “real” it will mean there is a distinction If “real” it will mean there is a distinction between a major disaster and a catastrophe, between a major disaster and a catastrophe, which must be determined via presidential which must be determined via presidential discretion, Congress made law, and in federal discretion, Congress made law, and in federal regulation.regulation.


Distinction between Distinction between types of declarationstypes of declarations At present the distinctions between At present the distinctions between

“emergency,” “major disaster,” and “emergency,” “major disaster,” and “catastrophe” are federal cost driven.“catastrophe” are federal cost driven.

Distinction between an “emergency” and a Distinction between an “emergency” and a “major” is that emergencies are less than $5 “major” is that emergencies are less than $5 million (emergencies do not require million (emergencies do not require determination of need, and emergencies are determination of need, and emergencies are often issued before an event transpires).often issued before an event transpires).

If I recall FEMA defines catastrophe as any If I recall FEMA defines catastrophe as any event exceeding $580 million (needs event exceeding $580 million (needs verification)verification)


Problems of Catastrophe Problems of Catastrophe DeclarationDeclaration Could a President ever “turn down” a Could a President ever “turn down” a

governor’s request for a declaration of governor’s request for a declaration of catastrophe and won’t all governors catastrophe and won’t all governors frame their disasters as catastrophes?frame their disasters as catastrophes?

Is there such a thing as “catastrophe Is there such a thing as “catastrophe preparedness” and how will this be preparedness” and how will this be different from emergency preparedness different from emergency preparedness or disaster preparedness?or disaster preparedness?


Open Questions and More Open Questions and More ProblemsProblems

If FEMA posits thresholds for major disaster If FEMA posits thresholds for major disaster qualification now (which the president can qualification now (which the president can ignore), will it also be asked to posit ignore), will it also be asked to posit thresholds for catastrophe (which the thresholds for catastrophe (which the president can ignore) president can ignore)

If FEMA does posit thresholds, how will If FEMA does posit thresholds, how will governors know whether or not their event governors know whether or not their event fits the federal definition of a catastrophe?fits the federal definition of a catastrophe?

FEMA categories of disaster type now span FEMA categories of disaster type now span the alphabet at 26; can catastrophe the alphabet at 26; can catastrophe transpire in each type? Which ones cannot transpire in each type? Which ones cannot escalate to catastrophe?escalate to catastrophe?


Even more Questions and Even more Questions and ProblemsProblems

What happens to “all hazards” emergency What happens to “all hazards” emergency management when there is a catastrophe management when there is a catastrophe declaration type? declaration type?

What types or categories of events will What types or categories of events will constitute catastrophe?constitute catastrophe?

If catastrophe is judged by total loss and If catastrophe is judged by total loss and “speed of onset” is not an issue, then “speed of onset” is not an issue, then global warming and climate change may global warming and climate change may be declarable catastrophes.be declarable catastrophes.


Federalism Federalism and Soldiersand Soldiers Will catastrophes transcend state Will catastrophes transcend state

borders and become a new national borders and become a new national type of incident? Eliminating the need to type of incident? Eliminating the need to wait for governor declaration requests?wait for governor declaration requests?

What role will the active duty military What role will the active duty military have in catastrophe that it does not now have in catastrophe that it does not now have under major disaster declarations have under major disaster declarations and the NRF?and the NRF?


TRIA’s Dilemma Repeated?TRIA’s Dilemma Repeated?

Let’s compare the Terrorism Risk Insurance Let’s compare the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) to a revised Stafford Act with a Act (TRIA) to a revised Stafford Act with a catastrophe declaration type-catastrophe declaration type-

Congress has deliberately left undetemined Congress has deliberately left undetemined the definition of an act of Terrorism, under the definition of an act of Terrorism, under which TRIA would take effect. Now in limbo which TRIA would take effect. Now in limbo at the Treasury Dept. at the Treasury Dept.

Won’t this happen with a catastrophe Won’t this happen with a catastrophe declaration too – that is, determining what declaration too – that is, determining what qualifies and what does not is a qualifies and what does not is a determination best left undecided until determination best left undecided until events force a decision.events force a decision.


Catastrophes Catastrophes of oldof old Since 1950, the U.S. has arguably Since 1950, the U.S. has arguably

experienced several disasters that may experienced several disasters that may be labeled catastrophes. be labeled catastrophes.

How would the U.S. government have How would the U.S. government have been expected to respond to and been expected to respond to and recover from these events if they had recover from these events if they had been designated “catastrophes” at the been designated “catastrophes” at the time they occurred? My “so what” time they occurred? My “so what” question.question.


Catastrophe without Catastrophe without Declaration?Declaration?

Can the matter of catastrophic disaster Can the matter of catastrophic disaster declarations be bypassed if annexes for declarations be bypassed if annexes for catastrophe are added on to existing policy catastrophe are added on to existing policy (as is being done), the president merely (as is being done), the president merely continues issuing major disaster and continues issuing major disaster and emergency declarations, and major emergency declarations, and major disasters escalate to catastrophe status as disasters escalate to catastrophe status as a matter of accounting for a major a matter of accounting for a major disaster’s magnitude, loss of life, loss of disaster’s magnitude, loss of life, loss of property, economic impact, national property, economic impact, national security implications, etc.?security implications, etc.?


The Crux of the Catastrophe The Crux of the Catastrophe Conundrum Conundrum

Certainly, the broader authority to judge what is or is Certainly, the broader authority to judge what is or is not a disaster under the Stafford Act of 1988 has not a disaster under the Stafford Act of 1988 has provided Presidents with more latitude to approve provided Presidents with more latitude to approve unusual or “marginal” events as disasters or unusual or “marginal” events as disasters or emergencies. This may be one reason for the higher emergencies. This may be one reason for the higher Governor-request success rate since 1988. Governor-request success rate since 1988.

Moreover, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and a Moreover, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and a succession of Homeland Security Presidential succession of Homeland Security Presidential Directives issued by President George W. Bush have Directives issued by President George W. Bush have added a substantial pool of terrorism-related added a substantial pool of terrorism-related disaster agents (and types of targets or disaster agents (and types of targets or eventualities) to the panoply of presidentially eventualities) to the panoply of presidentially declarable events.declarable events.


Muddling and Piling OnMuddling and Piling On

Has the presidential disaster declaration Has the presidential disaster declaration system become muddled and confused by system become muddled and confused by being conflated with national security being conflated with national security matters, terrorism, pandemics, national matters, terrorism, pandemics, national special security events, etc.?special security events, etc.?

Are the definitions of disaster and Are the definitions of disaster and catastrophe becoming so distorted and catastrophe becoming so distorted and boundless that we are running the boundless that we are running the government as 7/24 crisis management with government as 7/24 crisis management with normalcy fast disappearing?normalcy fast disappearing?


My AssertionsMy Assertions

Presidential turndowns of the vast majority of Presidential turndowns of the vast majority of governor requests for presidential governor requests for presidential declarations are overwhelmingly declarations are overwhelmingly administrative, apolitical determinations.administrative, apolitical determinations.

What constitutes a declarable disaster What constitutes a declarable disaster changes in subtle ways from president to changes in subtle ways from president to president.president.

Heavy news media coverage, especially Heavy news media coverage, especially national media coverage, plays a major role in national media coverage, plays a major role in compelling modern presidents to issue compelling modern presidents to issue declarations for marginal events that would declarations for marginal events that would not have earned declarations previously.not have earned declarations previously.


Post-modern view of Post-modern view of disasterdisaster

Are disasters today socially and politically Are disasters today socially and politically constructed phenomena? constructed phenomena?

Disaster policy in the U.S. is event-driven in Disaster policy in the U.S. is event-driven in many respects. many respects.

Owing to the newsworthiness of disaster and Owing to the newsworthiness of disaster and the enhanced capacity of news media to the enhanced capacity of news media to cover disaster, the press of disaster news cover disaster, the press of disaster news coverage induces policymakers to respond coverage induces policymakers to respond to disaster victims and to other unmet to disaster victims and to other unmet needs highlighted by disaster coverage. If needs highlighted by disaster coverage. If there is no news coverage of a disaster, is there is no news coverage of a disaster, is there then no disaster?there then no disaster?


Media coverage of disaster helps drive Media coverage of disaster helps drive up the number of governor requested up the number of governor requested

presidential declarations issuedpresidential declarations issued


Closing CommentsClosing Comments Changes in presidential disaster declaration law, policy Changes in presidential disaster declaration law, policy

and authority, plus the emergency spending authority and authority, plus the emergency spending authority available to presidents, has over time encouraged a available to presidents, has over time encouraged a federalization of emergency management and has federalization of emergency management and has dramatically expanded the definition of what constitutes a dramatically expanded the definition of what constitutes a disaster deserving of national mobilization. disaster deserving of national mobilization.

The 9/11/01 terror disaster has helped move the President The 9/11/01 terror disaster has helped move the President and Congress toward the nationalization of domestic and Congress toward the nationalization of domestic natural and human-caused disasters and emergencies of natural and human-caused disasters and emergencies of any type such that they are all now considered part of a any type such that they are all now considered part of a national “incident” management system. All disasters and national “incident” management system. All disasters and emergencies are now defined as “incidents” and the emergencies are now defined as “incidents” and the “mother of all” terror incidents to date is the 9/11 attacks “mother of all” terror incidents to date is the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.


Professor Sylves in an emergencyProfessor Sylves in an emergency

By Prof. Rick Sylves (By Prof. Rick Sylves ([email protected]))

Dept. of Political Science & International Dept. of Political Science & International RelationsRelationsUniversity of Delaware, Newark DE 19716University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716

Don’t lend him a hand, he’ll pull you over the edge!

mailto:[email protected]

prof. sylves for fema higher ed conf 10 june 20101 presidential declarations of disaster: a...

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