Background 

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, DHS was established to 

prevent and deter terrorism, and to protect against and respond to threats and 

hazards to the nation.  The 

Homeland Security Act of 2002

2

assigns 

responsibility to the EP&R directorate to lead federal disaster response and 

recovery activities.  FEMA, transferred in its entirety into the EP&R 

directorate, is directly responsible for executing this aspect of DHS' mission.  

The organization chart below illustrates EP&R and FEMA within the context 

of the DHS organization.  (See Figure 1). 

DHS Secretary

Deputy Secretary 

Under Secretary for 

Under Secretary for Emergency 

Management

Preparedness and Response

DHS Chief Information 

Officer

Chemical, Biological, Radiological 

Nuclear Incident 

Domestic Emergency 

National Domestic 

and Nuclear Response Teams  

Response Team

Support

Preparation Office

Federal Emergency Management 

Agency

Headquarters 

Headquarters 

Headquarters Mitigation 

Headquarters 

Headquarters Information 

Response Division

Recovery Division

Division

Preparedness Division

Technology Services 

Division (CIO office)

Figure 1:  EP&R/FEMA Organization 

When devastation exceeds the capability and resources of local and state 

governments to respond they turn to the federal government for assistance.   

The 

Stafford Act

3

 gives FEMA the authority to lead the disaster response and 

2

Public Law 107 296, November 25, 2002. 

3

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act

, as amended by Public Law 106 390, October 30, 

2000.  

Emergency Preparedness and Response Could Better Integrate Information Technology  

with Incident Response and Recovery 

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