One of the purposes of fema and the red cross is to

They are used during times of crisis such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions they also just generally aid the public needs if big enough.

Early in the story when tom finds an indian skull in the woods which he kicks in temper. the devil then makes his appearance and, as tom surveys him, he notices that the devil is neither "negro" nor "indian." in fact, he has a "swarthy" complexion and is "begrimed with soot."