Federal Disaster Act of 1950 (Public Law 875)
Federal Disaster Act of 1950 (Public Law 875) : "Public Law 875, the Federal Disaster Act of 1950, gives the President broad authority to make use of Federal departments and agencies and their personnel and resources to assist State and local governments in disaster of major proportions. Assistance authorized under the law covers emergency repair or temporary replacement of public facilities. The disasters are specifically defined as fires, floods, droughts, hurricanes, earthquakes, and storms. Executive Order 10427 delegates the responsibility for administering Federal disaster assistance, other than that for which statutory authority is given other agencies, to the Federal Civil Defense Administrator. The provisions of the Disaster Act can be invoked only when the President declares the occurrence a 'major disaster.' The Governor of the State involved must request assistance of the President and give assurance that the situation cannot be handled by the State or local government. In passing this Act, Congress recognized that relief from disaster situations is the responsibility of the State and local governments but that in critical cases Federal assistance is needed. Aid under Public Law 875 might consist of: surplus Federal equipment and supplies, either loaned or donated to State governments for redistribution; use of Federal equipment, facilities, supplies, and personnel; credit facilities of the Federal Government; and grant assistance. In 1953, assistance was given under the Act in 24 States and the Territories of Alaska and Hawaii in 30 major disasters?. In all of these cases, FCDA administered the Act, evaluating and making its recommendations to the President, and, when declaration of a major disaster was made, coordinated the Federal assistance given to the State or locality involved". (FCDA, 1953 Annual Report, p. 18. Note: Appendix D of this report contains a copy of the Act)
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