DHS is the cabinet-level department that sets policy and coordinates homeland-security missions; FEMA is an agency inside DHS that specializes in disaster response, recovery and hazard mitigation and runs the logistics, regional offices and programs (Individual and Public Assistance) used after disasters.
A federal declaration (emergency or major disaster) authorizes supplemental federal assistance (e.g., public assistance, individual assistance, hazard mitigation); the Governor (or Tribal Chief Executive) requests it by submitting a declaration request through the appropriate FEMA regional office after joint Preliminary Damage Assessments — generally within 30 days — and FEMA evaluates and recommends action to the President.
FEMA maintains generator “power packs” at regional distribution centers and will ship generators to a state after a Presidential disaster declaration or when requested by the state; the generators and basic installation materials are provided to power critical facilities, while operation and routine maintenance are typically the responsibility of the receiving state, local jurisdiction or facility owners unless specific federal teams are assigned to install/operate them under a mission assignment.
A State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is the central coordination hub (physical or virtual) where state leaders and partner agencies share information, prioritize needs, manage requests for resources, coordinate mutual‑aid and federal liaison staff, and support on‑scene incident command during a disaster.
Local emergency management and volunteer agencies typically provide immediate needs: sheltering and referrals, food and water distribution, emergency medical or first‑aid support, bulk supplies and comfort items, casework or short‑term financial assistance referrals (and help applying for FEMA programs), and information about local services and recovery steps.
MEMA coordinated the statewide response and damage assessments and served as the state’s lead emergency agency; the Mississippi National Guard mobilized troops for logistics, deliveries and aerial support (fueling, packaging and distributing supplies); and MDOT cleared and treated roads, provided route/status information and kept critical transportation corridors open for response and deliveries.