Response to Discussion Question

 The Stafford Act and the presidential declaration process works like hand in glove you might say to provide assistance to states when a disaster happens. Congress debated the issue of the Stewart Mckinney-Robert Stafford Act before passing. (Haddow 2013, p. 9). Haddow (2013) noted that “In the United States, a presidential disaster declaration is what makes available the range of resources available to the affected local and state governments as established through the Stafford Act.” (p. 192). For the president to be able to assist there has to be guidance that addresses authority and procedural requirements for the federal government to provide assistance at the tribal, state or local level.  Sylves (2014) noted that “the Stafford Act reauthorizes the President to issue major disaster and emergency declarations, sets broad eligibility criteria, and specifies the type of assistance the President may authorize.” (p. 72). The president has the freedom to interpret narrowly or broadly what is declared a major disaster on a case by case basis. (Sylves 2014, p. 99). Haddow (2013) noted that “Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (The Stafford Act) occurs about 44 times each year on average (in addition to major emergency and fire management assistance declarations which provide more limited assistance).” (p. 201). “There is over 30 federal department that works within the NRF structure with the ability to assist local and state officials.” (Haddow 2013, p. 191). While it can be asked if stats over-use the emergency program, the facts are the president has to approve these actions. States may take full advantage of the resources available to help limit the direct cost and impact to state budget and local economy.  Sylves (2014) noted that “The Stafford Act does not prescribe exact criteria to guide FEMA recommendations or the president’s decision.” (p. 109). Events and disasters have created requirements to make changes to the Stafford Act. Haddow (2013) noted that “In February of 2001, the Preparedness Against Domestic Terrorism Act of 2001 was passed, which amended the Stafford Act to include acts of terrorism within its definition of “major disaster,” which formalized how the federal disaster support in terrorism incidents would take place.” (p. 329). The 2001 change also noted that the Director of FEMA was to implement the federal emergency preparedness plans and made the FEMA Director responsible for establishing the President’s Council on Domestic Preparedness to limit or eliminate duplication of preparedness within the federal terrorism preparedness program. (Sylves 2014, p. 329).