ABSTRACT
The pre-9/11 world was quite comfortable with the language of the protocol for disaster and its mitigation. From the 1930s onward, there were structural mechanisms to deal with disaster in the American landscape. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation provided loans for the repair and reconstruction of certain public facilities following disasters. After the horrid events of 9/11, the mission of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), its operational philosophy, and its ability to carry out its command were put to the test. After 9/11, FEMA had to reorganize in two ways: first, it had to continue its historic mission to deal with and respond to disaster; and second, it had to integrate a threat mentality as part of its obligation in serving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There has been some debate recently as to what FEMA’s role is during and in the wake of man-made and natural disasters, particularly in the area of recovery spending.
