FEMA and the Disaster Recovery Coalition of America Sign Landmark Agreement to Strengthen Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Efforts

FEMA and the Disaster Recovery Coalition of America Sign Landmark Agreement to Strengthen Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Efforts

clong@thedrca.org

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Disaster Recovery Coalition of America (DRCA) have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance collaboration in disaster preparedness, operational readiness, response, and recovery. This partnership signifies a shared commitment to leveraging public-private resources and expertise to improve disaster resilience and support for communities across the nation.

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FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and DRCA Chairman and former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations on January 14, 2025. Courtesy, FEMA

"Disaster recovery is a collective effort," said Pete Gaynor, Chairman of DRCA and former FEMA Administrator. "This agreement formalizes our partnership with FEMA, enabling DRCA’s member organizations to contribute more effectively to the nation’s disaster preparedness and recovery initiatives."

The MOA outlines key areas of cooperation, including:

Information Sharing: FEMA will provide publicly available resources, training opportunities, and disaster recovery data to support DRCA’s efforts.
Operational Coordination: DRCA will collaborate with FEMA in planning meetings, exercises, and emergency operations to streamline response efforts.
Community Engagement: DRCA will assist FEMA in disseminating information to the private sector and the public about available programs, preparedness measures, and recovery tools.

“Disaster response and recovery takes all of us – every level of government, faith-based and non-profit organizations, and the private sector,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “FEMA is proud to partner with DRCA and work together to better support disaster survivors and build more resilient communities.”

The MOA underscores FEMA's ongoing mission to engage with the private sector as a vital partner in disaster management and reinforces DRCA’s role as a leader in the disaster recovery industry. Together, FEMA and DRCA aim to set a new standard for how government and industry can work together to prepare for and recover from disasters.

For more information about the Disaster Recovery Coalition of America and its mission, visit www.thedrca.org. For details about FEMA’s programs, visit www.fema.gov.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Casey Long at clong@thedrca.org.

The Disaster Recovery Coalition of America (DRCA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the top contractors, emergency management experts, and leaders from over 15 industries. DRCA (www.thedrca.org) mobilizes and guides a national network of America’s foremost private sector organizations specializing in resilience, disaster response, recovery and mitigation. DRCA empowers its members to develop and implement cutting-edge strategies, operational frameworks, and crisis management tools that reduce disaster risks and vulnerabilities, supporting local, state, and national partners in achieving sustainable and equitable disaster recovery outcomes.