FEMA exists to work with external organizations in order to, in their words, "prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from" disaster.
For starters, try the organization's listings of declared disasters—conveniently sorted by year or state, permitting you to access period-specific information or disasters which were local to your area. Listing content varies. Some merely state that a declaration was issued (which would be an excellent point from which to begin searching local newspapers), while others contain news bulletins. Declarations date from 1953 to present, and cover all 50 states—in addition to the Federated States of Micronesia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, the District of Columbia, and Palau.
Another possibility is analyzing a past disaster for governmental process and aid, using the offered disaster declaration definitions and relief procedure. Unclear exactly what hazardous materials, heat warnings, terrorism, or tsunamis entail? Take a look at the various disaster types.
Maybe you would like a visual? FEMA also provides maps, including inundation maps from Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita.
Finally, FEMA offers a kids' page. From there, you can access a disaster readiness page, complete with games and appealing animal "guides," which may make historical disasters seem more relevant to those of today. Consider comparing today's disaster kit contents (under "Step 1: Create a Kit") to what individuals would have had in the past. Other options include a multiple choice quiz, information on disaster types, an interactive map of current disasters, and a virtual library. This last contains photos, video files, maps, web links, and suggested reading.
Both Thomas E. Heslin, editor of the Providence Journal, and Paul Edward Parker, a reporter from the paper, discuss their coverage of and investigations into a 2003 fire that killed 100 people at the Station Nightclub, near Providence, RI.
Bruce Twickler, writer and director of the film Damrell's Fire, describes the Great Boston Fire of 1872, emphasizing the role of Fire Chief John Damrell in minimizing loss of life to the fire.
Reporter Stephanie Schorow, author of Boston on Fire: A History of Fires and Firefighting in Boston, describes the fire that burned down the Boston nightclub Cocoanut Grove in 1942. Schorow looks at the social, medical, and legal repercussions of the fire; myths and misconceptions that surround the fire; and Boston's collective memory of the fire.
Author Nancy Schultz, author of Fire and Roses: The Burning of the Charlestown Convent, 1834, describes the burning down of a Roman Catholic convent and elite boarding school in 19th-century Boston; and discusses its causes.
"The Marietta Fire Museum has many items on display used by the Marietta Fire Department dating back to the 1800s," including, among other things, fire service clothing, firefighting equipment, and antique apparatus. Highlights of the museum include a photo "Wall of Flame" featuring photographs dating to the early 1800s, antique and international fire helmets, and vintage firefighting equipment and apparatus.
The site offers visitor information, photographs of all of the antique firefighting apparatus on display, and a virtual tour.
The Firefighters Hall & Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of firefighting in Minneapolis, as well as working to educate local children on fire safety and firefighting in general. The museum boasts an impressive collection of firefighting memorabilia and equipment.
The museum offers exhibits and tours. The website offers very basic visitor information.
President of Solimar Research Group looks at the history of natural and man-made disasters in Los Angeles over the past 40 years, focusing particularly on recent unrest beginning in 1992. He considers efforts to revitalize and unify the city in the wake of these events and whether these efforts have been successful.
On September 1, 1894, an incredible fire raged in East Central Minnesota. In only four hours, over 300,000 acres -- 480 square miles -- of Minnesota lay in smoldering ruins.
Come visit the Hinckley Fire Museum to find out what happened, who lived, and who died.
The St. Paul & Duluth Railroad Depot, rebuilt immediately after the fire, houses a range of exhibits and features a dramatic mural of the fire, painted by artist Cliff Letty.
Please note that the museum is open May through mid-October
The Burbank Police and Fire Museum preserves and showcases the past of the Burbank Police and Fire Departments. The museum includes exhibits on all aspects of police and firefighting work.
The museum offers a variety of exhibits, ranging from uniforms to a vintage fire engine, viewable by appointment only; tours for school groups can be arranged. The website offers a brief history of the museum, along with descriptions of all displays and artifacts currently on display in the museum.