FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

 In FEMA’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2011 – 2014, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate emphasizes the concept of the Whole Community approach to the practice of emergency management.  FEMA is one member of a broad national emergency management team that includes Federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the American public.  It takes all aspects of a community, not just the government, to effectively prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against any disaster.  Communities must develop collective, local capabilities to withstand, respond to, and recover from disasters.

 Understand that it is not a matter of if a disaster will happen to you, it is a matter of when it will happen  Risk analysis  Have an emergency plan – test it and refine it  Become self-sufficient  Form alliances with local, regional, and/or national institutions to assist with preparedness, response, and recovery  Form relationships with local emergency managers  Be aware of alliances within the cultural community and actively participate in these groups

 Alliance for Response Initiative  The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 government agencies and national service organizations formed in An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.  Provides resources for risk analysis, emergency planning, funding, training and developing relationships with emergency responders 

 National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF)  Goal is to engage recovery stakeholders to create a comprehensive coordinating structure that will enhance our ability to work together and effectively deliver recovery assistance.  Specific component of the framework that addresses natural and cultural resources.  Describes approaches to prepare for, plan for, and manage disaster recoveries to better support disaster-impacted communities and build a more resilient nation.  Provides a structure to facilitate problem solving, improve access to resources, and foster coordination among state and federal agencies and nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.  Still in development. 

 Collection and Individual Object Policy –  Current version issued June 30, 2008  Pertinent to archives and special collections, not to general library books or periodicals  Guides you to pertinent 44 CFR references for reimbursement of general library books, publications, equipment, furnishings, etc.  Collections must be accessioned, catalogued, and/or inventoried  Removal from disaster–related conditions and return of items are eligible costs  Assistance is limited to stabilization of collections, excluding restoration  Complete destruction and total losses are not reimbursable  Replacement of rare books, manuscripts or other fragile materials are not eligible costs 

 Recent Developments with FEMA Policy Provision of Temporary Relocation Facilities  2009 Flooding in Iowa Damages the City of Cedar Rapids Main Library  First appeal to FEMA to provide funding of a temporary facility for the library is denied  Second appeal is developed, with assistance from the American Library Association, and includes a justification that a library provides essential community services  After second Appeal, FEMA acknowledges that libraries meet the criteria for reimbursement under this policy

 What can FEMA do to build better working relationships with the library community?  What policy level items do libraries feel are still needed from FEMA?  How can libraries play a more significant role within disaster response?