Jump to content

Draft:Federal Disaster Response Agency

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Federal Disaster Response Agency
Federal Disaster Response Agency logo
UniverseThe Last of Us
Created byNaughty Dog
Based onFederal Emergency Management Agency
GenrePost-apocalypse
In-universe information
Other name(s)FEDRA
Federal Disaster Response Administration
TypeMilitary junta, military dictatorship
Historical
Emergency service
LocationUnited States

The Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA) is a fictional US government agency originating from The Last of Us video game and movie franchise. The initial purpose of FEDRA was to be a government agency that cooridnated a response and relief to natural disasters, like flash floods and earthquakes, similar to FEMA, a real-life disaster response agency.

Following the 2003 cordyceps outbreak and societal collapse after it, the agency became militarized and eventually organized a military coup, replacing US government with military junta. In an attempt to contain the outbreak, FEDRA established multiple quarantine zones in major cities of USA, moving all uninfected civilians here. During FEDRA's control over the quarantine zones, they shifted to an authoritarian rule, enforcing strict quarantine laws, and executing any civilian who disobeys.

History

[edit]

According to The Last of Us lore, FEDRA was a standard emergency response agency that was created by US government to provide support and relief to civilians during natural disasters like flash floods, earthquakes and other crisises, akin to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a real-life disaster response agency.[1][2] When the outbreak of cordyceps infection started in 2003/2013 (dates vary depending on sources), turning humans into zombie-like creatures, the agency started working with US military who was ordered to stop the infection from spreading at all costs and execute any civilian that they suspect to be infected with cordyceps. During the outbreak, FEDRA had already controlled majority of US military, and eventually took control of the country through military coup.[3][4] FEDRA represented what was left of the government and military, later becoming the biggest armed organization in the US.[5]

FEDRA, together with military, established multiple large quarantine zones in major cities of USA in an attempt to stop the infection. FEDRA's rule over the quarantine zones eventually devolved into opressive military dictatorship with many crimes against civilians being committed.[1][6] The strict military rule of FEDRA in quarantine zones led to various armed rebel groups forming in an attempt to overthrow them. The most notable ones in The Last of Us were "Fireflies", whose stated goal was to spark a resistance against FEDRA by any means necessary.[7][8] Fireflies demanded FEDRA to give up their military rule and organized riots in the quarantine zones. Their slogan is: “Look for the light”, the slogan is often seen being spraypainted on the walls in FEDRA controlled cities. In the The Last of Us 2013 game, FEDRA served as a minor antagonist, mostly because the gameplay happens outside of cities controlled by them. The soldiers of FEDRA, which player occasionally fights during the game, are mostly drafted civilians instead of actual FEDRA officials. The agency is known to have its own headquarters that are independent from quarantine zones, but its unknown where they are located.[9][6]

By the year 2033, FEDRA maintained control of several quarantine zones, with Boston becoming its most stable city. However, their rule was constant deteriorating, with rebel groups gaining strength. FEDRA was still a formidable force, with its soldiers being well armed and equiped. FEDRA was also using military vehicles like Humvees and had an air force.[10][11] In the The Last of Us Part 2, another rebel group was revealed, named: "Washington Liberation Front" or WLF. They are one of the main factions in the game, with lore letters showing that they rose to power by fighting the "fascist oppression" of the government and FEDRA in mid-2020s.[12][13] WLF was responsible for overthrowing FEDRA in Seattle quarantine zone with hit and run attacks, assasinations of FEDRA officers and other guerilla warfare tactics.[14][15] By the time the The Last of Us Part 2 takes place, FEDRA had already been disbanded or destroyed, with its former members being killed by rebel groups.[10] Various characters in the game have also refered to FEDRA in the past tense, with the player never encountering them anywhere during the gameplay.[16]

Structure and purpose

[edit]

FEDRA is responsible for protecting and maintaining concrete-walled quarantine zones which they set up during the cordyceps outbreak in an attempt to contain the infection, save the remaining non-infected people and maintain law and order.[17][18] FEDRA, with the help of a military, had all uninfected civilians forcibly moved into the quarantine zones which were located in major cities of USA like Boston, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Kansas City.[19][6] Boston and Pittsburgh were declared maximum security zones. FEDRA performed checks in the zones using special scanners that detected cordyceps infection, any person who was infected was summarily executed.[18] When the society in USA fully collapsed, with over 60% of the population dying from the infection, FEDRA's rule over quarantine zones devolved into opressive military dictatorship, forcing the inhabitants of the quarantine zones to live under food rationing, hard labor and constant surveillance. FEDRA maintained the control over the quarantine zones by organizing public executions of people they suspect of smuggling, disobedience and infection with cordyceps. The life within the cities controlled by FEDRA was described as bleak for main character of The Last of Us, like Joel Miller. The FEDRA regime was described of providing barely enough stability to survive, but not enough freedom to live fully.[1][20]

The quality of live in FEDRA's quarantine zones varied from place to place. Some areas like Kansas City were notorious for brutality committed by FEDRA, with cases of corruption, rape, and extrajudicial killings being reported. The city of Boston on the other hand, was more stable and maintained well-structured authoritarian control.[21] FEDRA has created its own infection protocol, dividing infected civilians in Boston into 2 groups and ensured that infected or sick people do not enter the city. The city also had its own factories controlled by FEDRA to manufacture goods.[22] Boston quarantine zone was the city where Joel Miller lived at the start of the game.[2][23]

Impact

[edit]

In the 2013 The Last of Us game and movie adaptation, Joel Miller, the main character, had his daughter named Sarah killed by one of FEDRA's soldiers, severely traumatizing him.[24][25] Ellie, an important character in the franchise, was grown up in FEDRA military school. In The Last of Us Part 2, Abby, another important character, had her father killed by Joel while he was stationed at FEDRA facility, leading to her seeking revenge for him.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Dubey, Nivedita (April 11, 2025). "What Is FEDRA in The Last of Us and Why It Matters". Nerdveda.
  2. ^ a b Long, Emily (April 9, 2025). "The Last Of Us' FEDRA Explained: Who They Are & Why They Have So Much Power". Screen Rant.
  3. ^ Vito, Marco (January 16, 2023). "'The Last of Us': What Is FEDRA, the Federal Disaster Response Administration?". Collider.
  4. ^ Epps, Ryan (July 1, 2020). "The Last Of Us: Part II - Who Are FEDRA?". The Gamer.
  5. ^ Leeds, Joshua (January 17, 2023). "HBO's The Last Of Us: What Is FEDRA?". Dual Shockers.
  6. ^ a b c "What is FBA-FEDRA". Fictional Brands Archive. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  7. ^ Edel, Victoria (February 6, 2023). "Breaking Down the One Government Agency in "The Last of Us": FEDRA". Popsugar.
  8. ^ Davison, Tamara (April 15, 2025). "The Last of Us: What happened in season one as HBO hit returns". Evening Standard.
  9. ^ Kleinman, Jake (February 21, 2024). "Fireflies vs. FEDRA: Who should you trust in HBO's The Last of Us?". Inverse.
  10. ^ a b "What is FEDRA in The Last of US". PN News. April 29, 2025.
  11. ^ Trama, Andrea (August 16, 2021). "The Last of Us Part 3's World Might Not Need The Fireflies Anymore". Game Rant.
  12. ^ Hurley, Leon (June 23, 2020). "The Last of Us 2's pandemic survival doesn't stand up against real-world lockdowns and Black Lives Matter". Games Radar.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Johnny (May 3, 2022). "The Entire Last Of Us Timeline Explained". SVG.
  14. ^ Oddo, Marko (April 28, 2025). "What Happened to Seattle in The Last of Us Games?". Comicbook.
  15. ^ Maiberg, Emanuel (July 15, 2020). "The Not So Hidden Israeli Politics of 'The Last of Us Part II'". Vice Magazine.
  16. ^ "What is FEDRA in The Last of Us 2?". Fatal Game (in Russian). July 10, 2020.
  17. ^ Toomer, Jessica (February 15, 2023). "What Is FEDRA On HBO's 'The Last Of Us'?". Uproxx.
  18. ^ a b Deneschau, Nicolas (July 31, 2024). Decoding The Last of Us. Third Editions. ISBN 9782377844661 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ Rivera, Damon (February 22, 2023). "What Does FEDRA Stand For In The Last Of Us?". Looper.
  20. ^ Beirer, Tina (January 18, 2023). "What is FEDRA in The Last of Us?". Post Apocalyptic Media.
  21. ^ Albuquerque, John (January 9, 2025). "The Last of Us – What is FEDRA?". Critical Hits.
  22. ^ Sebov, Jaroslav (January 18, 2024). "The Last of Us: What is FEDRA?". Netzwelt (in German).
  23. ^ Ramirez, Jesse (February 15, 2022). "Rules of the Father in The Last of Us". Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783030896041 – via Google Books.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Frew, Cameron (January 16, 2023). "The Last of Us Episode 1: What happens to Sarah?". Dexerto.
  25. ^ Walsh, Michael (March 12, 2025). "Everything You Need to Remember From THE LAST OF US Season 1". Nerdist.
This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.
Categories:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Federal_Disaster_Response_Agency&oldid=1288724148"