Assistance

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) provides various forms of assistance and grants to individuals, businesses, and communities to assist with the prevention, mitigation, and recovery of damages prior to and in the wake of disasters. There are four departments that work to ensure that communities are safeguarded or rebuilt to reduce the risk of future losses.

Preparedness Grants and Programs

The Grants department administers several FEMA funded programs to assist in the preparation for, prevention of, and protection from potential disaster.

Public Assistance/Infrastructure and Local Government Assistance

Public Assistance/Infrastructure and Local Government Assistance is supplemental aid to local, state and select non-profit organizations for the specific purpose of response and recovery in state-mandated or presidentially-declared disasters or emergencies.

Individual Assistance 

Following a large scale event, the President may make a Federal Declaration of Major Disaster. Should a declaration providing for Individual Assistance be made, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individuals and Households Program may provide up to $42,500 (amount updated annually on 1 Oct.) of assistance to qualified households.

Hazard Mitigation

The GEMA/HS Hazard Mitigation department administers FEMA funded grant programs that provide assistance to state and local governments for cost-effective projects that reduce the actual or potential risk of loss of life or property.