The purpose of the regulations in this part is to prescribe the terms and conditions under which civil defense personnel, materials, and facilities, supported in whole or in part through contributions under the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended, 50 U.S.C. App. 2251, et seq., hereinafter referred to as “the Act”, may be used for natural disasters, to the extent that such usage is consistent with, contributes to, and does not detract from attack-related civil defense preparedness.

Except as otherwise stated, when used in the regulations in this part, the meaning of the listed terms are as follows:

(a) The term attack means any attack or series of attacks by an enemy of the United States causing, or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to civilian property or persons in the United States in any manner by sabotage or by use of bombs, shellfire, or atomic-radiological, chemical, bacteriological, or biological means or other weapons or processes;

(b) The term natural disaster means any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which causes, or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to civilian property or persons and, for the purposes of the Act, any explosion, civil disturbance, or any other manmade catastrophe shall be deemed to be a natural disaster;

(c) The term civil defense means all those activities and measures designed or undertaken (1) to minimize the effects upon the civilian population caused, or which would be caused, by an attack upon the United States, or by natural disaster, (2) to deal with the immediate emergency conditions which would be created by any such attack, or natural disaster, and (3) to effectuate emergency repairs to, or the emergency restoration of vital utilities and facilities destroyed or damaged by any such attack or natural disaster. Such term shall include, but shall not be limited to, (i) measures to be taken in preparation for anticipated attack or natural disaster (including the establishment of appropriate organizations, operational plans, and supporting agreements; the recruitment and training of personnel; the conduct of research; the procurement and stockpiling of necessary materials and supplies; the provision of suitable warning systems; the construction or preparation of shelter areas, and control centers; and, when appropriate, the non-military evacuation of civil population); (ii) measures to be taken during attack or natural disaster (including the enforcement of passive defense regulations prescribed by duly established military or civil authorities; the evacuation of personnel to shelter areas; the control of traffic and panic; and the control and use of lighting and civil communications); and (iii) measures to be taken following attack or natural disaster (including activities for firefighting; rescue, emergency medical, health and sanitation services; monitoring for specific hazards of special weapons; unexploded bomb reconnaissance; essential debris clearance; emergency welfare measures; and immediately essential emergency repair or restoration of damaged vital facilities);

(d) The word materials shall include raw materials, supplies, medicines, equipment, component parts and technical information and processes necessary for civil defense;

(e) The word facilities, except as otherwise provided herein, shall include buildings, shelters, utilities, and land;

(f) The term United States or States shall include the several States, the District of Columbia, the Territories, and the possessions of the United States;

(g) The term political subdivisions shall include local governments, including but not limited to cities, towns, incorporated communities, counties, parishes, and townships; and

(h) The term CPG 1–3 refers to FEMA's “Federal Assistance Handbook” promulgated as Civil Preparedness Guide (CPG) 1–3, as amended, by numbered changes thereto and by Civil Preparedness Circulars (CPC). CPG 1–3 sets forth detailed guidance on procedures which a State and, where applicable, its political subdivisions must follow in order to request financial assistance from FEMA. It also sets forth detailed requirements, terms, and conditions upon which financial assistance is granted.

(a) It is the policy of FEMA to provide a means of assistance to States and their political subdivisions in their carrying out responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage from attack-related or natural disasters by:

(1) Providing contributions for personnel, equipment, materials and facilities that may be used in preparing for or responding to disasters, provided that the use of such funds for natural disasters is consistent with, contributes to, and does not detract from attack-related civil defense preparedness.

(2) Encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the State and its political subdivisions.

(3) Assisting in achieving greater coordination of disaster preparation and response programs.

(4) Providing technical advice and guidance to States and their political subdivisions for organizing and preparing to meet the effects of disasters.

(b) These regulations are not to be interpreted as authorizing States and their political subdivisions to request or receive additional assistance relating to particular disaster incidents.

(a) The Administrator, FEMA, will provide statements to States and their political subdivisions concerning Agency mission and goals, Annual Program Emphasis, and other directions, instructions, and technical guidance which together specify preparedness and response activities for both attack-related and natural disasters.

(b) States and their political subdivisions may apply to FEMA for financial assistance under the Act in a manner prescribed by Federal Regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements. Such applications must be compatible with FEMA's goals and requirements described in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Financial contributions to States and their political subdivisions are made by FEMA based on approval of the activities and projects described in the Annual Program Paper, and/or Comprehensive Cooperative Agreement, and which are in conformance with provisions of CPG 1–3, and applicable FEMA regulations set forth in chapter 1 of this title 44, chapter 1, subchapter E, of the Code of Federal Regulations. Financial contributions will not be made unless substantive activities and projects in preparation for and response to attack-related disasters are identified, and progress is indicated in the submissions, and recorded in program reporting systems. The presence of unavoidable circumstances, and the good faith effort of the applicant, will be considered if certain objectives are not met.

(d) State and local officials may use personnel, equipment, and facilities for natural disasters outside the physical boundaries of the jurisdiction and under the conditions stated within this regulation.

(e) Specific criteria relating to the preparedness and response activities are given in §§ 312.5 and 312.6 of this part.

FEMA contributes to the development and support of emergency management organizations in the States and their political subdivisions, and to the development, operation, and maintenance of specific programs, through payment of salaries and benefits of State and local civil defense staff, and the payment of administrative expenses and travel, not to exceed 50 percent. FEMA also provides contributions for training and education expenses. The following use of such personnel for natural disaster purposes is allowable provided that such usage is consistent with, contributes to, and does not detract from attack-related civil defense preparedness:

(a) In developing, maintaining, testing and exercising plans, systems, and procedures for the protection of people and property from the effects of attack-related disasters, States and their political subdivisions may include and provide for natural disasters.

(b) Personnel supported in part through contributions under the Act may be assigned responsibilities for preparation for and response to natural disasters in any specific emergency occurring in a State or its political subdivisions as determined by the responsible State or local officials, respectively.

(c) Personnel supported in whole under the Act, may be assigned to emergency response operations for 15 days at the discretion of State officials; approval of the FEMA Regional Administrator is required for the use of these personnel in excess of 15 days. An assignment to emergency response operations does not preclude the accomplishment of program work and objectives. Failure to accomplish such work may subject the State to the withholding of funds contributed under the Act, or to collection of funds already obligated, not to exceed the estimated cost of the work not performed, as determined by the Regional Administrator.

(d) In the event of an emergency or major disaster declared under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended, personnel will not be provided overtime compensation and expenses under the Act.

FEMA also contributes to the development and support of emergency management in the States and their political subdivisions, and to the development, operation, and maintenance of specific programs, through providing certain materials and facilities. The following may be used for natural disaster purposes provided that such usage is consistent with, contributes to, and does not detract from attack-related civil defense preparedness:

(a) Materials provided and maintained through contributions under the Act.

(b) Technical information, guidance through which technical assistance is provided, and training courses, may contain examples, illustrations, discussion, suggested applications and uses of material.

(c) Equipment loaned under provisions of the Contributions Project Loan Program.

(d) Facilities, such as Emergency Operating Centers, provided and maintained through contributions under the Act.

(e) Equipment loaned or granted to the States for civil defense purposes (e.g., radiological instruments, shelter supplies).