Final answer:
The primary agency for firefighting according to the ESF annexes is a. FEMA, responsible for coordinating agencies and managing federal response during disasters.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Emergency Support Function (ESF) annexes, the primary agency for firefighting is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is charged with assisting state and local governments in times of natural disaster and is responsible for coordinating different agencies and utilizing the rescue infrastructure at its disposal.
During events like natural disasters, FEMA's role is crucial in managing the overall federal response, including firefighting efforts. This became evident in the critique of FEMA's response during Hurricane Katrina, where inefficiencies in coordination were highlighted and FEMA's director was scrutinized, underscoring the significance of effective emergency management.