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. What is the recommended action if you smell natural gas inside a structure? → Leave immediately and report it from a safe distance
3. 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
4. Under the Individual Assistance program, which of the following is NOT a component of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP)? → Crisis Counseling Assistance
5. Which FEMA program provides financial assistance to individuals and households affected by a disaster? → Individual Assistance
6. During an earthquake, what is the recommended immediate protective action? → Drop, Cover, and Hold On
7. What is the goal of the BRIC initiative (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities)? → To prepare communities for natural disasters before they occur
8. When two or more agencies share command authority on an incident, this is called what? → Unified Command
9. Which ICS general staff section is responsible for tracking costs and processing claims? → Finance/Administration
10. Under NIMS, which principle allows entities to request resources from another entity when their own resources are insufficient? → Mutual Aid
11. Which FEMA program provides federal funding to repair public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and utilities after a disaster? → Public Assistance
12. Which of the following best describes a Prevention-related role for state and local law enforcement? → Reporting suspicious activity and supporting investigations
13. When two or more agencies share responsibility for managing an incident together, which command structure is used? → Unified Command
14. Which of the following is one of the six Recovery Support Functions in the NDRF? → Economic Recovery
15. Who must request a federal disaster declaration to unlock FEMA recovery assistance? → The state governor or tribal chief executive
16. What is the safest action during a flash flood warning when driving? → Turn around, don't drown
17. A small town's tax base collapses after a flood destroys its main business district. Which RSF most directly supports rebuilding the local economy? → Economic Recovery RSF
18. For how many days does FEMA recommend a household emergency supply kit be able to sustain a family? → At least 3 days
19. NIMS promotes interoperability through which key mechanism? → Common terminology, standardized processes, and consistent training
20. Which FEMA program provides grants to help disaster survivors with housing and other disaster-related needs? → Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
21. What issue did FEMA encounter while responding to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico? → Woefully slow arrival of food and supplies
22. What is the purpose of FEMA's Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) offered after major disasters? → To offer short-term community-based mental health services to disaster survivors
23. What is the minimum amount of water FEMA recommends storing per person per day for emergencies? → One gallon
24. What caused the BRIC program to be established? → Costly and deadly disasters in 2017
25. Which national campaign promotes individual and community emergency preparedness through Ready.gov? → Ready Campaign
26. What role do mitigation activities play in community preparedness? → They reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property
27. In ICS, the concept of 'modular organization' means: → The ICS structure can be expanded or contracted based on incident needs
28. In ICS, who is responsible for the overall management of an incident? → Incident Commander
29. How many different regions does FEMA have? → 10
30. Which document establishes the capabilities the nation must build for the Prevention mission area? → The National Prevention Framework