Alabama Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

Publication Date: March 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Alabama has two statutes that address emergencies and disasters — the Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955 (EMA) and the Alabama Homeland Security Act of 2003 (HSA, HB335). The EMA includes authorities to ensure that preparations are made to manage disasters or emergencies and to assist and encourage emergency management and emergency preparedness activities by making grants to political subdivisions for that purpose. The HSA established a Department of Homeland Security
and other entities to coordinate and undertake state preparedness, planning, and response activities. A third statute, the Emergency Interim Succession Act, provides for the succession of powers for legislators and officers of political subdivisions in emergencies. Assistance is provided to victims through an extensive mutual aid program and federal aid.