Disaster Management Roles and Responsibilities

Disaster management roles and responsibilities determine the success of this strategy.

Disaster management is the strategy or process implemented when any catastrophic or disastrous event takes place. It is initiated when there is anything that threatens to disturb normal operations or puts peoples' lives at risk. There are different disaster management roles, each with their own duties and responsibilities; however, all these roles work together to create a disaster management plan that can be used to overcome catastrophe as quickly as possible.

Governor's Authorized Representative

Each state's governor assigns the governor's authorized representative (GAR) in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the President's declaration of a major disaster. The GAR is designated to interface with the Federal Disaster Recovery Manager (FDRM), execute the state's disaster and emergency plan, start the state's agencies and departments, implement the state governor's emergency and disaster decisions, launch the state's recovery strategies and strategic response and make sure that the state remains in control.

Assistant Governor's Authorized Representative

The assistant governor's authorized representative (AGAR) helps the GAR perform his assigned duties. The AGAR's responsibilities include performing the duties assigned by the GAR and executing duties on behalf of the GAR.

State Coordinating Officer

The governor designates the state coordinating officer (SCO) upon declaration of a major disaster or emergency. The SCO's responsibilities include providing operational oversight and directions of the emergency or disaster on behalf of the governor's authorized representative, converting disaster management's strategic guidance into plans, executing the plans for the state and responding to the governor's desires.

Deputy State Coordinating Officer

The roles and responsibilities of the deputy state coordinating officer (DCSO) vary from one state to another; however, typical responsibilities include fulfilling SCO-delegated duties, representing the SCO whenever necessary and managing the state's disaster management operations.

Federal Coordinating Officer

The President designates the federal coordinating officer (FCO) to administer the federal operations on response, recovery and mitigation for each emergency or disaster declared by the President. The FCO's responsibilities include representing the President at the site of the disaster, coordinating the Federal, State, and local government relationships, reporting to the governor about the federal response status, establishing recovery and response operations and alerting, coordinating and directing federal agencies in identifying and meeting the needs of people affected by the disaster. The FCO is also in charge of the evaluation of disaster needs and disaster management program delivery.

Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer

The deputy federal coordinating officer represents the FCO whenever necessary, monitors the daily activities at the Joint Forward Office and helps the FCO execute other duties.

References

• FEMA: Disaster Management Roles and Responsibilities

Resources

• FEMA: Home Page
• Disaster Assistance: Home Page