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Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-110

§2317 Rapid Response Information System

Title 50 › CHAPTER 40 — DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION › SUBCHAPTER I — DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS › § 2317

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Each federal agency in the Federal Response Plan must make and keep a list of the equipment and other assets it could provide to help state and local officials with search, rescue, and other disaster work in an emergency involving weapons of mass destruction. Agencies must send the list and any updates to FEMA. Each list must also show any extra equipment that could be reused or given away for response or training. FEMA must combine those lists into one master inventory by December 31, 1997, and update it every year. By that same date, FEMA must add guidance to federal emergency plans on how to use the listed equipment. FEMA, working with the Secretary of Defense, must also create a database about chemical and biological agents and safety for civilians by December 31, 1997. FEMA must set up a system so federal, state, and local officials can access the inventory and database for emergencies or training, including a secure but reachable emergency hotline.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §2317

War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Inventory of rapid response assets
(1)The head of each Federal Response Plan agency shall develop and maintain an inventory of physical equipment and assets under the jurisdiction of that agency that could be made available to aid State and local officials in search and rescue and other disaster management and mitigation efforts associated with an emergency involving weapons of mass destruction. The agency head shall submit a copy of the inventory, and any updates of the inventory, to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for inclusion in the master inventory required under subsection (b).
(2)Each inventory shall include a separate listing of any equipment that is excess to the needs of that agency and could be considered for disposal as excess or surplus property for use for response and training with regard to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction.
(b)Master inventory
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall compile and maintain a comprehensive listing of all inventories prepared under subsection (a). The first such master list shall be completed not later than December 31, 1997, and shall be updated annually thereafter.
(c)Addition to Federal response plan
Not later than December 31, 1997, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and incorporate into existing Federal emergency response plans and programs prepared under section 5196(b) of title 42 guidance on accessing and using the physical equipment and assets included in the master list developed under subsection to respond to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction.
(d)Database on chemical and biological materials
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall prepare a database on chemical and biological agents and munitions characteristics and safety precautions for civilian use. The initial design and compilation of the database shall be completed not later than December 31, 1997.
(e)Access to inventory and database
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall design and maintain a system to give Federal, State, and local officials access to the inventory listing and database maintained under this section in the event of an emergency involving weapons of mass destruction or to prepare and train to respond to such an emergency. The system shall include a secure but accessible emergency response hotline to access information and request assistance.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency” substituted for “Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency” wherever appearing in text on authority of section 612(c) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of Title 6, Domestic Security. Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of Title 6.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 2317

Title 50, War and National Defense

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110