6 U.S.C. § 313 : US Code - Section 313: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Search 6 U.S.C. § 313 : US Code - Section 313: Federal Emergency Management Agency

(a) In general
There is in the Department the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, headed by an Administrator.
(b) Mission
(1) Primary mission
The primary mission of the Agency is to reduce the loss of life
and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including
natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based,
comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness,
protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.
(2) Specific activities
In support of the primary mission of the Agency, the
Administrator shall - 
(A) lead the Nation's efforts to prepare for, protect
against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the
risk of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
made disasters, including catastrophic incidents;
(B) partner with State, local, and tribal governments and
emergency response providers, with other Federal agencies, with
the private sector, and with nongovernmental organizations to
build a national system of emergency management that can
effectively and efficiently utilize the full measure of the
Nation's resources to respond to natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic
incidents;
(C) develop a Federal response capability that, when
necessary and appropriate, can act effectively and rapidly to
deliver assistance essential to saving lives or protecting or
preserving property or public health and safety in a natural
disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;
(D) integrate the Agency's emergency preparedness,
protection, response, recovery, and mitigation responsibilities
to confront effectively the challenges of a natural disaster,
act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;
(E) develop and maintain robust Regional Offices that will
work with State, local, and tribal governments, emergency
response providers, and other appropriate entities to identify
and address regional priorities;
(F) under the leadership of the Secretary, coordinate with
the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of Customs and
Border Protection, the Director of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, the National Operations Center, and other agencies
and offices in the Department to take full advantage of the
substantial range of resources in the Department;
(G) provide funding, training, exercises, technical
assistance, planning, and other assistance to build tribal,
local, State, regional, and national capabilities (including
communications capabilities), necessary to respond to a natural
disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster; and
(H) develop and coordinate the implementation of a risk-
based, all-hazards strategy for preparedness that builds those
common capabilities necessary to respond to natural disasters,
acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters while also
building the unique capabilities necessary to respond to
specific types of incidents that pose the greatest risk to our
Nation.
(c) Administrator
(1) In general
The Administrator shall be appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Qualifications
The Administrator shall be appointed from among individuals who
have - 
(A) a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency
management and homeland security; and
(B) not less than 5 years of executive leadership and
management experience in the public or private sector.
(3) Reporting
The Administrator shall report to the Secretary, without being
required to report through any other official of the Department.
(4) Principal advisor on emergency management
(A) In general
The Administrator is the principal advisor to the President,
the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary for all
matters relating to emergency management in the United States.
(B) Advice and recommendations
(i) In general
In presenting advice with respect to any matter to the
President, the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary,
the Administrator shall, as the Administrator considers
appropriate, inform the President, the Homeland Security
Council, or the Secretary, as the case may be, of the range
of emergency preparedness, protection, response, recovery,
and mitigation options with respect to that matter.
(ii) Advice on request
The Administrator, as the principal advisor on emergency
management, shall provide advice to the President, the
Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary on a particular
matter when the President, the Homeland Security Council, or
the Secretary requests such advice.
(iii) Recommendations to Congress
After informing the Secretary, the Administrator may make
such recommendations to Congress relating to emergency
management as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(5) Cabinet status
(A) In general
The President may designate the Administrator to serve as a
member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts
of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
(B) Retention of authority
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the
authority of the Secretary under this chapter.