At the request of the Governor of an affected State, or a Chief Executive of an affected Indian Tribe, the President may declare a major disaster or emergency if an event is beyond the combined response capabilities of the State, Tribal, and jurisdictional governments. A Stafford Act declaration allows Federal assistance to be mobilized and directed in support of State, Tribal, and jurisdictional response efforts, among other things. Under the Stafford Act (42 USC Chapter 68), the President can also declare an emergency without a Gubernatorial request if primary responsibility for response rests with the Federal Government because the emergency involves a subject area for which the United States exercises exclusive responsibility and authority. In the absence of a specific request, the President may provide accelerated Federal assistance and Federal support where necessary to save lives, prevent human suffering, or mitigate severe damage, and notify the State of that activity. |