Stafford Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stafford Act - Essay Example However, despite the act having very clear stipulations on the process of emergency declaration, types of assistance on disaster available and means of dispatching and coordinating the assistance, critics have pointed out over a number of weaknesses of the Act as it is. The shortcomings pointed out over the act therefore necessitate a thorough reform on the Stafford Act in order to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness is guaranteed. Thesis statement: A complete reformation of the Act is not only important but also argent as the Stafford Act lacks flexibility and is slow to provide cash quickly in the event of disaster which is declared an emergency. Major shortcomings of the Act as it is are observed right from the procedures that are to be followed in declaration of an emergency as a disaster by the governor and the president to the ultimate response through financial and physical support as deemed necessary. The main weakness observed by this paper is on the lack of flexibility and quick response as is caused by lots of bureaucracy while establishing the magnitude of the effect of the disaster by the local authorities and having the governor request for assistance from the president through writing which must also pass through such offices as the office of regional director. In spite of the fact that procedures of intergovernmental coordination are highly bureaucratic, the act fails to acknowledge that in the event of an emergency, prompt response is critical and as such establishes less bureaucratic procedure through which state governments should involve the federal government n prompt response to emergencies resultant from a disaster. Much of time is spent while a governor evaluates and estimates the magnitude of the effect of a disaster in terms of costs to be incurred in mitigating the effects, evaluating the localized impacts, evaluating coverage by insurance policies in place, processes of hazard mitigation as well as