S. government's job to distribute federal funds when a disaster strikes. They counter argue that states would not have all the resources that a federal government would have. The federal government would overall be more successful in providing lots of resources as well as money to help rebuild. Also if for no other reason, they argue that the government should provide relief for at least humanitarian purposes. It could also help the economy since cleaning up after disasters will provide many people with jobs.
A federal agency that was created to be placed in charge of responding to natural or technical disasters and natural security emergencies is the FEMA or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It was created under President Jimmy Carter in 1979 in order to ensure that the safety of Americans would be taken care of. However the agency had suffered under Bush administrations when it was considered to be a watered down agency being led by nominees that were unqualified and the organization was given little attention to as a whole leading to bad responses to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. However, it had began to grow and really prosper under the clinton administration due to more attention towards revitalizing the agency. FEMA's organizations today also include the Natural Preparedness Directorate, the State and Local Programs and Support Directorate, the Federal Insurance Administration, the U.S Fire Administration, and the External Affairs Directorate. The agency works with both local as well as state governments to fund emergency programs and provide training and guidance for anyone willing to learn.Normally local governments respond first and then turn to the state government if more resources become necessary. Then the FEMA are asked to step in if even more help is needed. The organization as of 2012 employs more than 26,000 workers with about 4,000 that are ready and prepared to be on standby in case a large disaster was about to strike.