The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), now part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for coordinating disaster relief efforts across federal, state, and volunteer organizations, such as the American Red Cross.

Professionals in the fields of emergency management and homeland security have responsibilities for ensuring that all levels of government, urban areas and communities, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and individual citizens are prepared to deal with such hazards though actions that reduce risks to lives and …

Where Can You Work with a Degree in Homeland Security?

• Emergency & Crisis Management and Response.
• Law Enforcement & Prevention.
• Transportation, Travel Safety, & Immigration.
• Education.
• Law & Policy.
• Science and Technology.
• Management, Administrative Support, & Human Resources.

In the immediate aftermath of history’s deadliest international terrorist attack, we developed a homeland security strategy based on a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do …

Natural disasters generally constitute an emergency since they require immediate intervention due to their high impact on human health and safety; they affect the normal functioning of working infrastructure, interrupting normal day activities and representing a risk for residents and workers in affected areas.

Disasters may be explosions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, or fires. In a disaster, you face the danger of death or physical injury. You may also lose your home, possessions, and community. Such stressors place you at risk for emotional and physical health problems.

Natural disasters are caused due to different reasons like soil erosion, seismic activity, tectonic movements, air pressure, and ocean currents etc. Natural activities taking place in the earth’s crust, as well as surface, are the main reasons for these disasters.

Natural Disasters

• Tornadoes and Severe Storms.
• Hurricanes and Tropical Storms.
• Floods.
• Wildfires.
• Earthquakes.
• Drought.

Ten deadliest natural disasters by highest estimated death toll excluding epidemics and famines

Types of Disaster[edit | edit source]

• Geophysical (e.g. Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity)
• Hydrological (e.g. Avalanches and Floods)
• Climatological (e.g. Extreme Temperatures, Drought and Wildfires)
• Meteorological (e.g. Cyclones and Storms/Wave Surges)

There are natural disasters, such as a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, or tsunami (a big surge of water from the ocean), that happen because of the weather or other natural conditions. People also can cause disasters, like causing an oil spill that pollutes the environment or starting a forest fire.

Man-made disasters can include hazardous material spills, fires, groundwater contamination, transportation accidents, structure failures, mining accidents, explosions and acts of terrorism. There are actions that we can take to prepare to react appropriately to these events.