<P> In fall 2008, FEMA took over coordination of the Ready Campaign, the national public service advertising (PSA) campaign in collaboration with the Ad Council to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man - made disasters . The Ready Campaign and its Spanish language version Listo asks individuals to do three things: build an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur and how to respond . The campaign messages have been promoted through television, radio, print, outdoor and web PSAs, as well as brochures, toll - free phone lines and the English and Spanish language websites . </P> <P> During the debate of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, some called for FEMA to remain as an independent agency . Later, following the failed response to Hurricane Katrina, critics called for FEMA to be removed from the Department of Homeland Security . Today FEMA exists as a major agency of the Department of Homeland Security . The Administrator for Federal Emergency Management reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security . In March 2003, FEMA joined 22 other federal agencies, programs and offices in becoming the Department of Homeland Security . The new department, headed by Secretary Tom Ridge, brought a coordinated approach to national security from emergencies and disasters--both natural and man - made . </P> <P> FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program . Other programs FEMA previously administered have since been internalized or shifted under direct DHS control . </P> <P> FEMA is also home to the National Continuity Programs Directorate (formerly the Office of National Security Coordination). ONSC was responsible for developing, exercising, and validating agency wide continuity of operations and continuity of government plans as well as overseeing and maintaining continuity readiness including the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center . ONSC also coordinated the continuity efforts of other Federal Executive Agencies . </P>

Department of homeland security - federal emergency management agency (fema)