What is the role of FEMA during a crisis?

The role of FEMA during a crisis is primarily to coordinate federal disaster response and recovery efforts. This responsibility involves working alongside state and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations and other federal agencies, to effectively manage the aftermath of disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other emergencies.

FEMA's coordination ensures that resources, personnel, and funding are directed where they are most needed, streamlining the response process to maximize effectiveness. This includes mobilizing support for search and rescue operations, establishing temporary shelters, and facilitating the logistics involved in distributing aid. By acting as a central coordinating body, FEMA helps to ensure that the various components of disaster response work in harmony to assist affected communities.

The other options focus on specific aspects that could be part of the overall disaster response framework but do not encapsulate the primary role of FEMA. While financial support is a critical function, it is just one part of the broader coordination efforts. Developing emergency preparedness plans is also essential but typically falls under the jurisdiction of state and local agencies in conjunction with FEMA rather than being a direct role of FEMA during active crisis response. Conducting health inspections, while important for public safety after a disaster, is typically managed by health departments and agencies rather than FEMA's core mission.