Terms & Conditions
FEMA offers some of its public data in machine readable format via an Application Programming Interface (API). This service is offered subject to your acceptance of the terms and conditions contained herein as well as the FEMA Privacy Policy.
Summary
Respect the OpenFEMA API and content on this website. Use the Site in a lawful manner. Do not modify the Site or attempt to use it to publish or transmit malicious software or content. FEMA shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the use of this website, API services, or content. We may suspend your access to this website if we feel you have not complied with these terms and conditions.
Scope
All of the content, documentation, code and related materials made available to you through the API are subject to these terms. Access to or use of the API services or its content constitutes acceptance of these terms.
Secondary Use
Data accessed through FEMA’s API does not include controls over its end use. However, as the data owner, FEMA retains version control. Once the data has been downloaded from the API, FEMA cannot verify the quality and/or timeliness of any analysis conducted using data retrieved.
Citing Data
- Users should cite the specific API endpoint (including the version) either by name or preferably by URL. Either the dataset page or the API endpoint URL’s may be used.
- Users should cite the date and preferably the time when the FEMA data are accessed, retrieved, or downloaded using the API or from the OpenFEMA site.
- Users must clearly state that “This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).”
- FEMA cannot verify the quality and/or timeliness of any data or any analysis derived therefrom after the data has been retrieved from FEMA.gov.
- The logos and/or seals of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may not be used without prior written authorization from FEMA or DHS.
- Example:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), OpenFEMA Dataset: Disaster Declarations Summaries - v2. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/openfema-data-page/disaster-declarations-summaries-v2 on August 19, 2021, 12:34 PM EST. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Public Participation
In support of the Transparency and Open Government Initiative, input from external stakeholders regarding the presentation of data, data types, and metadata will help inform the evolution of FEMA’s publicly-accessible APIs.
Modification or False Representation of Content
You may not modify or falsely represent content accessed through FEMA’s API and still claim the source is FEMA or FEMA.gov.
Changes
FEMA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify or replace these terms, in whole or in part. Your continued use of or access to the FEMA API services following posting of any changes to these terms, constitutes acceptance of those modified terms. FEMA may, in the future, offer new services and/or features. Such new features and/or services shall be subject to these terms and conditions.
Disclaimer of Warranties
FEMA’s APIs are provided “as is” and on an “as-available” basis. FEMA hereby disclaims all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. FEMA makes no warranty that the services will be error free or that access thereto will be continuous or uninterrupted.
General Representations
You hereby warrant that:
- Your use of the services will be in strict accordance with these terms and all applicable laws and regulations, and
- Your use of the services will not infringe or misappropriate the intellectual property rights of any third party.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless FEMA, its contractors, employees, agents, and the like from and against any and all claims and expenses arising out of your use of the APIs, including but not limited to violation of these terms. This indemnification clause shall not apply to federal government entities.
Miscellaneous
These terms may only be modified by the posting of a revised version on this page by FEMA. FEMA may monitor your use of its services to improve the service or to insure compliance with these terms.
Disputes
Any disputes arising out of these terms and access to or use of the services shall be governed by federal law.
No Waiver of Rights
FEMA’s failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision included in these terms shall not constitute waiver of such right or provision.
Service Termination
If you do not wish to abide by these terms, you must refrain from use of the services.