Should the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exist as an independent agency or should it be included in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)? This question has long been debated and a definitive answer will likely remain elusive. Initially, FEMA was an independent agency, but it was later merged into the DHS. In both organizational scenarios, FEMA endured intense scrutiny and criticism about its performance in disaster response and recovery operations. The scrutiny and criticism, in turn, generated debate about the optimal organizational structure for FEMA and its leadership. The ongoing public debate about the inclusion of FEMA within the DHS is a healthy and necessary process, and in this week's learning resources you explore both sides of the debate. Familiarity with the various perspectives and arguments about FEMA's proper place and role in the national homeland security system will help you formulate your own judgment about this critical issue.