This is now. From the Homeland Security website
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp
"In the event of a terrorist attack,
natural disaster or other large-scale emergency,
the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort."
there something to understand, its the federal governments responsiblity.
Clearly we have a weak central government.