Emergency Planning and Response Authorities The federal
government's responsibilities for emergency response are
established by statute and by executive orders issued by the
President. The Stafford Act (PL-93-288) provides the authority
for the federal government to respond to disasters and
emergencies in order to provide assistance to save lives and
protect public health, safety, and property. Under the Stafford
Act, the President is authorized to: - Establish a program of
disaster preparedness that uses services of all appropriate
agencies - Make grants to states, upon their request, for the
development of plans and programs for disaster preparedness and
prevention - Ensure that all appropriate federal agencies are
prepared to issue warnings of disasters to state and local
officials The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of
1972/ Oil Pollution Act of 1990 expands the National Contingency
Plan (NCP) to include response to releases of hazardous
substances, as well as oil, to any navigable waters o