S5, E9: From Disaster to Declaration: How Federal Assistance Works

When a disaster strikes, who decides when it becomes a “disaster”, and what happens next? In this episode of HometownReady, we’re joined by FEMA Region 7 to break down the disaster declaration process and explain how local, state, and federal partners work together before, during, and after a major event. Learn about FEMA’s role, what goes into requesting a federal disaster declaration, how disaster assistance works, and why understanding each organization’s role matters when a community is w...