42 U.S.C. § 5192: Federal emergency assistance

direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical and advisory services) in support of State and local emergency assistance efforts to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe, including precautionary evacuations; coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments; the performance of essential community services; issuance of warnings of risks or hazards; public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information; provision of health and safety measures; and management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety; provide emergency assistance through Federal agencies; remove debris in accordance with the terms and conditions of section 5173 of this title ; provide assistance in accordance with section 5174 of this title and section 5183 of this title ; assist State and local governments in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and emergency assistance; and shall, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly notify and coordinate with a State in which such assistance or support is provided; and shall not, in notifying and coordinating with a State under subparagraph (A), delay or impede the rapid deployment, use, and distribution of critical resources to victims of an emergency. Whenever the Federal assistance provided under subsection (a) with respect to an emergency is inadequate, the President may also provide assistance with respect to efforts to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe, including precautionary evacuations. The President shall promulgate and maintain guidelines to assist Governors in requesting the declaration of an emergency in advance of a natural or man-made disaster (including for the purpose of seeking assistance with special needs and other evacuation efforts) under this section by defining the types of assistance available to affected States and the circumstances under which such requests are likely to be approved.