FEMA certifications Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FEMA certifications facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) tool is used in hazard mitigation to: → Determine if a mitigation project's benefits outweigh its costs
2. Law enforcement, fire/emergency medical services, and public works are only a few of the emergencies that can be handled by emergency services agencies in ____. → FEMA
3. Under the Individual Assistance program, which of the following is NOT a component of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP)? → Crisis Counseling Assistance
4. What is the goal of the BRIC initiative (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities)? → To prepare communities for natural disasters before they occur
5. Under NIMS, which principle allows entities to request resources from another entity when their own resources are insufficient? → Mutual Aid
6. Which of the following best describes a Prevention-related role for state and local law enforcement? → Reporting suspicious activity and supporting investigations
7. When two or more agencies share responsibility for managing an incident together, which command structure is used? → Unified Command
8. NIMS promotes interoperability through which key mechanism? → Common terminology, standardized processes, and consistent training
9. Which FEMA program provides grants to help disaster survivors with housing and other disaster-related needs? → Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
10. What issue did FEMA encounter while responding to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico? → Woefully slow arrival of food and supplies
11. What caused the BRIC program to be established? → Costly and deadly disasters in 2017
12. In ICS, the concept of 'modular organization' means: → The ICS structure can be expanded or contracted based on incident needs
13. How many different regions does FEMA have? → 10
14. Which document establishes the capabilities the nation must build for the Prevention mission area? → The National Prevention Framework
15. In ICS, what is the function of the Planning Section? → Collecting and analyzing incident information to support the IAP
16. Which document does a state or local government create to identify hazards and mitigation strategies to qualify for FEMA mitigation grants? → Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
17. Which component of NIMS provides the structure for managing incidents? → Command and Coordination
18. What has been a big roadblock to receiving federal grants for rural communities? → Lack of capacity
19. What does NIMS require agencies to use for describing, inventorying, requesting, and tracking resources? → Standardized resource typing and credentialing
20. Which ICS section is responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials for an incident? → Logistics Section
21. What federal directive established the National Incident Management System (NIMS)? → Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5)
22. During an evacuation, what is the FIRST action you should take when you hear a building fire alarm? → Leave immediately by the nearest safe exit
23. What legislation authorizes FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)? → Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
24. Under the PA Program, Category B refers to: → Emergency protective measures
25. Which NIMS component focuses on maintaining accurate and accessible incident information? → Communications and Information Management
26. Where are the areas most affected by natural disasters? → Coastal regions
27. The National Preparedness Goal defines success in Prevention as the ability to: → Avoid, prevent, or stop an imminent or actual act of terrorism
28. The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is what, exactly? → Teams of doctors and nurses who provide medical assistance in disasters
29. What are the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal? → Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery
30. What does the acronym PASS stand for when operating a fire extinguisher? → Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep