A Guide to Federal Disaster Assistance
Fall/Winter 2008 4th Edition
Executive Summary
In recent years, The Ferguson Group has assisted local governments’ in recovery efforts from natural disasters across the United States. In doing so, The Ferguson Group has learned many valuable lessons about disaster recovery, the most important of which is the need to communicate and coordinate the efforts of federal, state, and local government agencies with business and community organizations. This Disaster Assistance guide compiles the expertise from members of The Ferguson Group who have had first hand experience guiding disaster support efforts. Inside this guide you will find first response information, the FEMA disaster guide, and TFG’s first hand knowledge from previous disaster assistance experience. The information found in this document is intended to facilitate the response, recovery and rebuilding process following a natural disaster.
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Table of Contents
Page Number I. The Major Declaration Process 5 Local Government Response 6 State Response 7 Damage Assessment 7 A Major Disaster Declaration 8 FEMA Evaluates 8 Presidential Approval 9
II. Federal Emergency Management Agency 11 Assistance Available 11 Disaster Grants & Loans 11 Debris Removal 14 Emergency Protective Measures 22 Roads & Bridges 23 Water Control Facilities 24 Public Buildings & Equipment 25 Public Utilities 25 Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items 27 Other Public Assistance 28 Hazard Mitigation 31 Directory of Federal and State Resources 31 Federal Emergency Management Agency 32 State Offices and Agencies of Emergency Management 38 United States Small Business Administration 40 Regional Contacts Map 41
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I. The Major Declaration Process ______
It remains a fact that situations of catastrophic proportions must be responded to through a cooperative federal, state, and local effort. The Ferguson Group (TFG) is able to assist clients in navigating the disaster assistance process, and affected congressional delegations in maximizing federal resources. However, a state’s Governor must send a letter to the President seeking a Presidential disaster declaration.
It is the long-term recovery phase of a disaster that places the most severe financial strain on both local and state governments. Extensive damage to public facilities and infrastructure (often not insured) can overwhelm even a large city, and is detrimental economically. Therefore, throughout the entire long-term recovery process, TFG will lobby Congress for funding and assistance.
It is imperative that local leaders identify their Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) at the start of the disaster recovery period so that s/he can help the municipality with specific needs. Also, local officials should remain informed of any changes in the FCO’s status, especially in the event that the current FCO is replaced. It is imperative that municipalities be promptly informed of the change and the new Officer’s arrival. Great communication with the corresponding FCO is vital for a successful short and long-term recovery.
Federal Disaster Response Actions
In 1988, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, was enacted to support state and local governments and their citizens when disasters overwhelm them. This law, as amended, establishes a process for requesting and obtaining a Presidential disaster declaration, defines the type and scope of assistance available from the federal government, and sets the conditions for obtaining that assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is tasked with coordinating the response.
When a disaster occurs and a locality has responded to the best of its ability it must then turn to the state for help. The Governor, after examining the situation, may direct that the State’s Emergency Plan be executed. If it is evident that the situation is or will be beyond the capabilities of local, tribal and state resources, the Governor may request that the President declare that an emergency or major disaster exists in the state under the authority of the Stafford Act. While the request is being processed, local, tribal and state government officials should not delay in taking actions to respond to and start recovery from the disaster. Such actions should not be dependent upon whether there will be federal assistance. Commensurate with the supplemental nature of Stafford Act assistance, the federal share of eligible recovery expenses for declared disasters is normally limited to 75% of eligible costs. However, the letter from the Governor of your state to the President and FEMA should still request that one hundred percent (non- federal share) of the Disaster Recovery Assistance to be covered.
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A major disaster declaration usually follows these steps:
1) Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance.
Local government is the first to respond to a disaster. Response efforts are first directed to activities that protect lives, public health and safety, such as evacuations, sheltering, fire fighting, utility restoration, and clearing roads of debris. These response efforts may be accomplished with local resources including: labor and equipment, contractors, volunteers, and assistance from adjacent communities. A community should have an Emergency Operation Plan and a Debris Management Plan that identifies key staff members and their responsibilities for managing and controlling debris clearing, removal and disposal operations. This staff should be immediately activated whenever a natural disaster is forecast. Staff members should document the critical decisions made in response to the disaster and provide the debris manager and local, tribal, state and federal officials with a clear plan of action. The debris clearing, removal and disposal operations may extend for weeks or months and insufficient documentation of the evolving plan could cause confusion and inefficiency. Damage assessments should be conducted to identify necessary lifesaving actions, assess the magnitude of damage and determine if additional resources are needed from other local governments and the state. The format for the damage assessment report should be in accordance with the local, tribal or State Emergency Operation Plan. In a catastrophic disaster, and if the governor requests it, federal resources can be mobilized and coordinated by FEMA for search and rescue, electrical power, food, water, shelter and other basic human needs. Detailed information on the debris management plan can be found in the next section.
2) The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies.
When the response efforts appear to be beyond the capability of local government, the state normally provides the next level of assistance by declaring a State of Emergency. The State Emergency Management Agency is responsible for evaluating the disaster situation and providing advice to the Governor on the availability of state resources that could assist local efforts. State resources may consist of law enforcement, the Department of Transportation, the Health and Human Services Department, the Department of Natural Resources, and the National Guard. These state resources can assist local governments in the immediate response efforts, including response and debris clearance, removal and disposal activities of recovery.
3) Damage Assessment is conducted by local, state, and federal agencies. Together they determine losses and recovery needs.
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Before sending a formal request letter to the President, the Governor should request that FEMA conduct a joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) with the state to verify actual damages and estimate the amount of supplemental assistance that may be needed. The PDA is a joint assessment used to determine the magnitude and impact of an event's damage. A FEMA/state team will usually visit local applicants and view their damage first-hand to assess the scope of damage and estimate repair costs. The state uses the results of the PDA to determine if the situation is beyond the combined capabilities of the state and local resources and to verify the need for supplemental federal assistance. The PDA also identifies any unmet needs that may require immediate attention. Normally, the PDA is completed prior to the submission of the Governor’s request. However, when an obviously severe or catastrophic event is anticipated, the Governor’s request may be submitted prior to the PDA. Nonetheless, the Governor must still make the request and damage estimates must be submitted to FEMA. .
Note on the PDA Process: Show the federal/state team your damage sites. Be sure to bring to their attention any environmental or historic property site issues that may be present, along with any known insurance coverage. You should also explain what immediate expenditures might be associated with any emergency work you have identified. This information may be used to provide you some expedited funding, if a declaration is obtained for your area.
Note on Expedited Funding: Immediate Needs Funding (INF) is money earmarked for the most urgent work in the initial aftermath of a disaster. The funds may be provided to any eligible applicant for eligible emergency work that must be performed immediately and paid for within the first 60 days following declaration. Eligible work typically includes debris removal, emergency protective measures, and removal of health and safety hazards. Immediate needs funds can be used for expenses resulting from this eligible work, such as temporary labor costs, overtime, equipment, and material fees. Documentation must be carefully submitted.
During the PDA, immediate needs are noted for each area surveyed. If a disaster is declared, and the state thinks damage costs warrant the need for immediate cash flow, the State may INF on your behalf. Up to 50% of the federal share estimate of emergency funds will then be placed in the state's account. Because this money can be made available in advance of normal procedures once a disaster has been declared, paperwork and processing times are reduced and you can receive emergency funds sooner. Even though your facilities may have been included in the PDA, INF will not be available unless your county/city has been included in the presidential declaration.
Note on the Liaison: The applicant liaison is the state's customer service representative assigned to work with you. The liaison is responsible for providing you with specific information on state regulations, documentation
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and reporting requirements. The liaison is also there to provide technical assistance, when requested, and can help in the identification of Hazard Mitigation opportunities.
4) A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery. The Stafford Act formula provides for a 75% federal cost share. However, the letter from the governor of your state for federal assistance should request for one hundred percent (non-federal share) of the disaster recovery assistance to be covered. Once all the applicable information has been gathered and sent to the president to be signed, The Ferguson Group will urge the congressional delegation to get the president to sign the letter as soon as possible. As a matter of process, the governor’s request is actually made through the regional FEMA office.
A Major Disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, or major fire which the President determines warrants supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the President's Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of other participating federal agencies. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs, and designed to help disaster victims, businesses and public entities.
5) FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to recover.
The request is reviewed by the Regional Director and forwarded with a recommendation to the Director of FEMA who, in turn, makes a recommendation to the President.
6) The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.
Based on the Governor’s request, the President may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists, thus activating an array of federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort.
After a presidential declaration has been made, FEMA will designate the area eligible for assistance and announce the types of assistance available. FEMA provides supplemental assistance for state and local government recovery expenses, and the federal share will always be at least 75 percent of the eligible costs. Also after the initial declaration, the person designated by the Governor as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) may make requests for additional areas to be eligible for assistance or for additional types of assistance as deemed necessary. After a declaration is made, FEMA will designate the area
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eligible for assistance and the types of assistance available. With the declaration, a FCO is appointed who is responsible for coordinating all federal disaster assistance programs administered by FEMA, other federal departments and agencies and voluntary organizations. At the same time, the Regional Director or one of his/her staff will be appointed as the Disaster Recovery Manager (DRM), who is responsible for managing the FEMA assistance programs. The same person most often holds these two titles (FCO and DRM). Similarly, the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) and the GAR are generally the same person.
After the disaster, USDA established an emergency food stamp program. However, USDA only reimbursed 50% of the total operational cost.
Federal Response Plan
The Federal Response Plan (FRP) is implemented to coordinate the overall delivery of federal assistance to disaster victims. The plan is organized functionally by Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). Each ESF is composed of a lead or primary agency and supporting agencies grouped together to deliver specific services and resources. Delivery of assistance under the plan is flexible to best meet the unique needs of each disaster. Under the Federal Response Plan, emergency assistance is provided either by federal agencies under their own authorities, or under reimbursable mission assignments from FEMA.
Debris Removal
In reference to Debris Removal, please encourage residents of your municipality, if possible, to move as much of the debris to public access points so the local government can pick up the debris and be reimbursed by FEMA for the debris removal. Persuade constituents to ask for help with debris removal from neighbors or friends to facilitate the process. Also, all private property requiring debris removal must be identified and requested to FEMA in accordance with this policy within 90 calendar days of the declaration. After FEMA approval, emergency debris removal must begin within 180 calendar days from declaration in order to be reimbursed at 100 percent federal funding. Further debris removal information and procedure are found in section two of this document.
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II. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal, state and local governments share the responsibility for protecting their citizens from disasters, and for helping them to recover when a disaster strikes. In some cases, disaster recovery is beyond the capabilities of the State and local government to respond. Therefore, some of the responsibility falls to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
FEMA has several programs available for all types of natural disasters. However, not all programs are activated for every disaster. The determination of which programs are activated is based on the needs found during damage assessment and any subsequent information that may be discovered.
FEMA disaster assistance falls into three general categories:
• Individual Assistance — aid to individuals and households; • Public Assistance — aid to public (and certain private non-profit) entities for certain emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster damaged public facilities; and • Hazard Mitigation Assistance — funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.
Some Presidential declarations will provide only individual assistance or only public assistance. Hazard mitigation funding is assessed in most situations and funds are available according to a formula based on amount of damages.
Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up a central field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free telephone number is published for use by affected residents and business owners in registering for assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are opened where disaster victims can meet with program representatives and obtain information about available aid and the recovery process.
Some of the assistance by FEMA is in monetary form. Some examples are:
Disaster Grants which are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
Low-Interest Disaster Loans which are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other
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damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
The SBA can make federally subsidized loans to repair or replace homes, personal property or businesses that sustained damages not covered by insurance. Small business owners are assisted in disaster recovery by the SBA if they suffered physical damage or economic injury, but will only restore the property to pre-disaster condition. The SBA’s Disaster Recovery Mission is to help people recover from disasters and rebuild their lives by providing affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA can provide three types of disaster loans to qualified homeowners and businesses:
• home disaster loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster- related damages to home or personal property; • business physical disaster loans to business owners to repair or replace disaster- damaged property, including inventory, and supplies; and • economic injury disaster loans, which provide capital to small businesses and to small agricultural cooperatives to assist them through the disaster recovery period.
Examples of SBA Disaster Loans (June 2006)
• Louisiana: 89,622 loans for $6.3 billion • Mississippi: 34,619 loans for $2.5 billion • Texas: 8,487 loans for $2.5 million • Florida: 16,622 loans for $767 million • Alabama: 2,838 loans for $131 million
ASSISTANCE PROCESS
After the application is taken, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications require more information and approval and may take several weeks after the application is filled. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the President's major disaster declaration.
Audits are done later to ensure that aid went to only those who were eligible and that disaster aid funds were used only for their intended purposes. These federal program funds cannot duplicate assistance provided by other sources such as insurance. FEMA will take action to recover funds that are distributed and later deemed ineligible.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Public Assistance, oriented to public entities, can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure, which is damaged or
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destroyed by a disaster. Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Generally, public assistance programs pay for 75 percent of the approved project costs. Public Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.
Eligible applicants include State governments, local governments and any other political subdivision of the State, Native American tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations may also receive assistance. Eligible PNPs include educational, utility, irrigation, emergency, medical, rehabilitation, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and disabled), and other PNP facilities that provide essential services of a governmental nature to the general public. PNPs that provide “critical services” (power, water--including water provided by an irrigation organization or facility, sewer, wastewater treatment, communications and emergency medical care) may apply directly to FEMA for a disaster grant. All other PNPs must first apply to the SBA for a disaster loan. If the PNP is declined for a SBA loan or the loan does not cover all eligible damages, the applicant may reapply for FEMA assistance.
As soon as possible after the Presidential declaration, the State, assisted by FEMA, conducts the applicant briefings for state, local and PNP officials to inform them of the assistance available and how to apply for it. A request for public assistance must be filed with the State within 30 days after the area is designated eligible for assistance. Following the applicant’s briefing, a “Kickoff Meeting” is conducted where damages will be discussed, needs assessed, and a plan of action put in place. A combined federal/state/local team proceeds with Project Formulation, which is the process of documenting the eligible facility, the eligible work, and the eligible cost for fixing the damages to every public or PNP facility identified by state or local representatives. The team prepares a Project Worksheet (PW) for each project. Projects fall into the following categories:
• Category A: Debris removal • Category B: Emergency protective measures • Category C: Road systems and bridges • Category D: Water control facilities • Category E: Public buildings and contents • Category F: Public utilities • Category G: Parks, recreational, and other
Category A: Debris Removal
Debris Removal is the clearance, removal, and/or disposal of items such as trees, woody debris, sand, mud, silt, gravel, building components, wreckage, vehicles, and personal property. FEMA Public Assistance (PA) funds may be used for debris clearance, removal
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and disposal operations. The debris must be a direct result of the declared event, must occur within the designated disaster area and must be the responsibility of the applicant at the time of the disaster.
For debris removal to be eligible, the work must be necessary to:
• Eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety; • Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property; • Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large; or • Mitigate the risk to life and property by removing substantially damaged structures and associated appurtenances as needed to convert property acquired through a FEMA hazard mitigation program to uses compatible with open space, recreation, or wetlands management practices.
Examples of eligible debris removal activities include:
• Debris removal from a streets or highways to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicle; and • Debris removal from public property to eliminate health and safety hazards.
Examples of ineligible debris removal activities include:
• Removal of debris, such as tree limbs and trunks, from natural (unimproved) wilderness areas; • Removal of pre-disaster sediment from engineered channels; and • Removal of debris from a natural channel unless the debris poses an immediate threat of flooding to improved property.
Debris removal from private property is generally not eligible because it is the responsibility of the individual property owner. If property owners move the disaster- related debris to a public right-of-way, the local government may be reimbursed for curbside pickup and disposal for a limited period of time. If the debris on private business and residential property is so widespread that public health, safety, or the economic recovery of the community is threatened, FEMA may fund debris removal from private property, but it must be approved in advance by FEMA.
Debris Removal from Private Property (Recovery Division Policy Number: 9523.13/Date Signed: October 23, 2005)
FEMA published a revised policy, on October 23, 2005, for areas devastated by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina to provide guidance on debris removal from commercial private property. As defined in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), debris removal and disposal includes demolition of unsafe structures from private property in areas where Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused
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catastrophic damage. This will ensure consistency for future disasters. It will also decrease the time it takes to deliver funding to the catastrophically impacted areas by streamlining the process through which applicants demonstrate compliance with the requirements.
Background: Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5170b and 5173, provide FEMA authority to fund debris removal from private property provided that the state or local government arranges an unconditional authorization for removal of the debris, and agrees to indemnify the federal government against any claim arising from the removal.
The regulations implementing Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act at 44 CFR § 206.224 establish the requirement that debris removal be in the “public interest” in order to be eligible for reimbursement. “Public interest” is defined as being necessary to:
• eliminate immediate threats to life, public health, and safety; • eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved property; or • ensure economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community at large.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have in some areas created catastrophic, widespread destruction resulting in vast quantities of debris which may require state or local government to enter private property to remove it in order to prevent disease and other immediate public health and safety threats. In these situations, debris removal from private property may be in the public interest and thus may be eligible for reimbursement, when the unconditional authorization for debris removal and indemnification requirements established by Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act are met.
Debris removal from private property generally does not include strictly commercial sites. It is assumed and expected that these commercial enterprises retain insurance that can and will cover the cost of debris removal. The removal of debris from private commercial property by a state or local government is eligible for FEMA reimbursement when such removal is in the public interest.
Policy: The following guidance for reimbursement of state, county and municipal governments for costs incurred in debris removal from private property applies to major disaster declarations from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
FEMA will work with each state to designate those areas where the debris is so widespread that removal of the debris from private property is in the “public interest” under 44 CFR § 206.224 and thus is eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
States, counties and municipalities ordinarily rely on condemnation and nuisance abatement authorities and obtain a right-of-entry from private property owners prior to the commencement of debris removal work. There may be circumstances, however, where the state or local government determines that ordinary condemnation and nuisance
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abatement procedures and the obtaining of a right of entry from each property owner are too time consuming to address an immediate public health and safety threat.
Any state or local government that intends to remove debris from private property must, prior to commencement of work, submit a written request to the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) seeking approval for reimbursement. The written request and any accompanying attachments must include the following provisions:
• The request concerns conditions determined by the relevant state, county or municipal government's department of health or equivalent public health authority to be an immediate public health and safety threat; • A detailed explanation certifying the requesting entity's legal responsibility, duty and authority to remove debris from private property, and has satisfied all required legal process and received all necessary permissions for such actions; • Confirmation that a legally-authorized official of the requesting entity has ordered the exercise of public emergency powers or other appropriate authority to enter onto private property in order to remove/reduce a public health and safety threat via debris removal; and • The requesting entity indemnifies the federal government and its employees, agents, and contractors.
When deciding whether to authorize the removal of debris from private commercial property, the FCO should determine if it is necessary to: eliminate an immediate threat to life, public health, safety or significant damage to improved property, 44 CFR § 206.224(a)(1) and (a)(2); or ensure economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large, 44 CFR § 206.224(a)(3).
In making a determination, the FCO will consider the following factors relative to an immediate threat to public health and safety:
• Is there a substantial risk that human remains may be intermixed with the debris creating an immediate public health and safety threat? • Is the commercial property in such close proximity to residential property and the level of destruction so catastrophic that it is impossible to delineate between residential and commercial property and debris? • Can the threat to public health and safety be lessened or eliminated by placing a fence around the property? • Generally, the removal of debris from commercial private property is not eligible when the sites are separated from residential or business districts. Examples of these areas are industrial parks and woodland areas.
Or the following factors relative to the economic recovery of the community-at-large:
• What specific financial reasons are preventing the business from removing its own debris?
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• Does the business have the financial capability to reopen if and only if the government removes the debris? • What effect will the restoration of the business have with respect to the economic recovery of the community to the benefit of the community-at-large?
FEMA is prohibited from approving funds that would result in a duplication of benefits. Therefore, state and local governments must take reasonable steps to prevent such an occurrence. These steps include the requesting entity's agreement to research whether insurance coverage exists for the debris removal accomplished on each piece of private property in the project. If it is discovered that duplication of benefits has occurred, the state or local government must agree to make reasonable efforts to recover such proceeds paid to the property owners and remit in a timely fashion to FEMA.
For those instances where the state or local government determines that ordinary condemnation and nuisance abatement procedures and the obtaining of a right of entry are too time consuming, the FCO will also require a written opinion from the relevant state's Office of the Attorney General confirming the legal basis under state constitutional and statutory authority for the state, county and municipal governments to enter private property to perform debris removal.
All private property requiring debris removal must be identified and requested to FEMA in accordance with this policy within 90 calendar days of the declaration. After FEMA approval, emergency debris removal must begin within 180 calendar days from declaration. These deadlines may be extended by the FCO based on circumstances beyond the control of the state or local government.
The FCO will approve or disapprove in writing each written request for private property debris removal within five business days of receiving the request from the state or local government. After receiving approval from the FCO, the State or local government may begin identifying private property debris removal activities and the application process for supplemental assistance through the Public Assistance Program.
Debris Removal from Public Property
In general, debris that is on public property must be removed to allow continued safe operation of governmental functions and, therefore, is eligible under one of the first two criteria. However, not all public property clearance is necessarily eligible. Debris that is blocking streets and highways is a threat to public health and safety because it blocks passage of emergency vehicles or it blocks access to emergency facilities such as hospitals. Debris in a stream or flood channel may cause flooding from a future storm. If such flooding would cause an immediate threat of damage to improved property, removal of the debris only to the extent necessary to protect against an event that could reasonably be expected to occur within five years may be eligible. On the other hand, removal of fallen trees in a forested or wilderness area is not normally eligible.
Debris Removal from Drainage Structures
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Removal of disaster-related debris from reservoirs may be eligible if evidence is provided to FEMA that the reservoirs were regularly cleaned prior to the disaster and the pre- disaster level can be established. In addition, removal of debris that poses an immediate threat of clogging or damaging intake or adjacent structures may be eligible.
Debris Removal from Natural Streams
Debris removal from natural streams normally is not eligible for assistance. Only debris that causes a threat to lives or public health and safety or damage to improved property from an event that could be reasonably expected to occur within five years is eligible. Any work in natural streams must also be closely reviewed and monitored to minimize undesirable environmental effects. This type of work will often require a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the USACE. The Natural Resources Conservation Service also has the authority to clear streams of debris.
Debris Removal from Engineered Channels and Debris Basins
Debris removal from engineered channels, lined or unlined and debris basins may be eligible. Knowing the pre-disaster level of debris in the channel or basin is required in determining the amount of disaster-related debris. Such facilities must also have had a regular schedule of debris removal to be eligible for clearance in order to be eligible for FEMA reimbursement. .
Debris Removal from Roads and Highways
Debris may be removed from roads and highways, including the travel lanes and shoulders, roadside ditches and drainage structures and the maintained right-of-way. Clearance from Federal-aid roads and highways follows these criteria except when the Emergency Relief (ER) program of the Federal Highway Administration is activated. For highways being repaired by the ER program of FHWA, the debris is removed as part of that work. Even when the ER program is activated for an area, FHWA assistance is granted only for portions of the road actually damaged by the disaster. Debris on undamaged sections of highway may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
Debris Removal from Recreational and Wilderness Areas
The removal of debris from public parks and recreational areas used by the public is eligible when it affects public health or safety or proper utilization of such facilities. Hazardous trees within a naturalized area of public parks or golf courses that are unstable and leaning into the areas used by the public are eligible for removal only, not replacement. Normally, trees requiring removal are flush cut at the ground. Hazardous limbs are also eligible for removal. Hazardous limbs are defined as limbs greater than two inches in diameter that are still hanging in the tree and are threatening a public-use area, such as a trail, sidewalk, road, or golf cart path of a public golf course. Generally, stump removal is not considered eligible for reimbursement, except if the stump itself is
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determined to be a hazard, as when the tree has been uprooted. When eligible, stump removal is accomplished by the least expensive means. A tree with more than 50% of the tree crown destroyed or damaged, a split trunk, or broken branches that expose the heartwood, or a tree that has been felled or uprooted is eligible for removal, especially if it is in a location approximate to or within public-use areas. If the applicant chooses to attempt to save a tree that has any of the conditions described above that justify its removal, the expense is the applicant’s. Removal of debris that does not pose a health or safety threat in wilderness or forested areas of these facilities is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
Local Government Response
Most local governments maintain equipment, such as trucks, rubber tire loaders, graders, chippers, chain saws, small cranes, dozers, and backhoes with experienced operators who can be used to open roads and remove debris. Temporary hires may be added to provide additional labor and equipment operators for 24-hour-a-day operations, if needed. The principal advantage to using local government force account equipment and operators is their lower cost and flexibility in assignment. This equipment generally represents the only resources the community can immediately commit to an emergency debris clearance and cleanup operation. It is absolutely necessary to get FEMA approval for this process to ensure 100 percent reimbursement.
Mutual Aid Agreements
A Mutual Aid Agreement is an agreement among neighboring communities (and even states) to provide assistance to one another in time of need. The operators and equipment of neighboring communities can be used to quickly augment local force account resources and have many of the same advantages. Your neighboring communities can be reimbursed for these resources. Again, careful and accurate documentation is required and prior approval is necessary.
Role of State Agencies
The National Guard, State Department of Transportation (DOT) and State Department of Natural Resources have equipment and personnel that may provide limited assistance on a short-term basis. The State DOT is normally responsible for debris clearance and removal on state roads. This assistance may be obtained by contacting the State Emergency Management organization.
Role of Volunteers
Historically, volunteers have played a significant role in large-scale debris removal operations. Volunteer organizations can assist private property owners or provide financial assistance in the removal of debris from private property. Additionally, community organizations, such as civic clubs, student groups and neighborhood organizations have proven to be a tremendous community resource in past disasters. To
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provide for maximum utilization of these resources, community leaders should be prepared to organize volunteer groups and keep the debris management staff informed of their activities. Communities should document the number of volunteers, the type of work performed and the hours worked. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that personnel are properly equipped and that common sense safety precautions are followed.
Role of Federal Agencies
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) may be able to respond for up to 10 days without a Presidential Declaration. Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) may provide grant assistance to state governments for debris clearing, removal and repair of roads on the designated Federal Highway System.
Role of Contractors
Local governments must know the proper procedures to hire contractors, to ensure reimbursement by FEMA. Following a major disaster, emergency contracts can be executed to augment local force account resources. Immediately following a disaster, engineering personnel on the debris management staff should explore alternative courses of action and update the existing Debris Management Plan based on the initial damage assessment, available resources and any new information. The updated plan can be hand- written initially and later converted to a more formal document. Maps of the affected area should be annotated to identify damaged sectors, locations of key facilities and disposal sites and distributed with the updated Debris Management Plan. Information should also be entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) database, if available. Make certain that you have certified landfills and meet all existing environmental permitting requirements. To support local businesses, leaders may want to recommend a list of eligible contractors.
FEMA Debris Mission Response Actions
In catastrophic disasters, FEMA can provide direct federal assistance to support local, tribal and state governments in performing some of the activities related to debris clearance, removal and disposal. The response capabilities of the local, tribal and state governments must be clearly exceeded before this level of assistance can be provided. The work that can be performed under this authority is limited to emergency work and debris removal under Sections 402 (4), 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act. The assistance will be subject to the cost sharing provisions as specified in the FEMA-State Agreement. The grantee will reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the cost of the work, including any administrative costs of the performing federal agency.
Following a Presidential Declaration, FEMA may elect to use its mission assignment authority to have the USACE contract for and manage debris clearance, removal and disposal operations. The debris and removal mission assignment is coordinated by Emergency Support Function #3 (ESF #3), Engineering and Public Works liaison officer. An ESF #3 liaison officer should work directly with the FEMA debris staff to coordinate
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policy and guidance necessary to accomplish response and recovery missions assigned to the USACE by FEMA. The ESF #3 liaison officer should meet regularly with FEMA and as needed with appropriate, local, tribal and state government officials to collect and coordinate information necessary to accomplish the assigned mission. The ESF#3 liaison officer should assemble information and provide tasks to the USACE staff for necessary action and ensure that contract scope requirements are accurate and timely. An ESF #3 officer is FEMA’s direct liaison responsible for coordinating assigned missions. Daily assessments are made and reported to FEMA and others, as required, via coordination meetings and memoranda.6 ESF #10, Hazardous Materials liaison officer should also be included in all debris planning to coordinate the cleanup, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials. According to the type of debris, it will be necessary to adhere to NEPA, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act requirements.
The Debris Management Plan
The Debris Management Plan should divide the community into sectors to assess the extent of debris. Sector boundaries can be determined based on the following criteria:
• Type of debris (structural, trees, sediment and mixed); • Location of debris; • Volume of debris (large versus small); • Land use (residential, business, agricultural); • Location of existing and potential temporary storage and volume reduction sites; and • Location of existing and potential permanent disposal sites (public and/or private landfills).
The damage assessment team should then investigate the damaged areas by sector to record the extent of damage and to identify specific assistance requirements. Damage assessment teams should also estimate the amount and compositions of debris observed in each sector and annotate the locations on community maps. The debris staff should initiate actions to assess the availability of local, tribal, state, federal, and other resources to provide immediate and long-term assistance.
Experience has shown that resources will not be used effectively unless work assignments and cleanup priorities are coordinated and controlled by the designated debris manager. The designated local debris manager should have total responsibility and authority for managing the debris cleanup operation. The following are examples of local, state, federal, and other resources available for cleanup activities.
Category B: Emergency Protective Measures
Emergency protective measures are actions taken by applicants before, during, and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to improved
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public and private property. Emergency communications, emergency access and emergency public transportation costs may also be eligible.
Examples of eligible emergency protective measures are:
• Warning devices (barricades, signs, and announcements); • Search and rescue; • Security forces (police and guards); • Construction of temporary levees; • Provision of shelters or emergency care; • Sandbagging; • Bracing/shoring damaged structures; • Provision of food, water, ice and other essential needs; • Emergency repairs; • Emergency demolition; and • Removal of health and safety hazards.
Category C: Roads and Bridges
Roads (paved, gravel, and dirt) are eligible for permanent repair or replacement under the Public Assistance Program, unless they are federal-aid roads. Eligible work includes repair to surfaces, bases, shoulders, ditches, culverts, low water crossings, and other features, such as guardrails. Damage to the road must be disaster-related to be eligible for repair. In addition, repairs necessary as the result of normal deterioration, such as "alligator cracking," are not eligible because it is pre-disaster damage.
Landslides and washouts often affect roads. Earthwork in the vicinity of a road may be eligible, but only if the work is necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the road.
Road or bridge closures resulting from a disaster may increase traffic loads on nearby roads. If diverted traffic causes damage to a road, FEMA may pay to repair this damage if no alternative is available. Restoration of a damaged road may include upgrades necessary to meet current codes and standards, as defined by the state or local department of highways. Typical standards affect lane width, loading design and construction materials.
Bridges are eligible for repair or replacement under the Public Assistance Program, unless they are on a Federal-aid road. Eligible work includes repairs to decking, guardrails, girders, pavement, abutments, piers, slope protection, and approaches. Only repairs of disaster-related damage are eligible. In some cases, FEMA may use pre- disaster bridge inspection reports to determine if damage to a bridge was present before the disaster.
Work to repair scour or erosion damage to the channel and stream banks is eligible if the repair is necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge. Earthwork that is not related to the structural integrity of the bridge is not eligible. Similarly, work to remove
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debris, such as fallen trees, from the channel at the bridge is eligible if the debris could cause further damage to the structure or if the blockage could cause flood waters to inundate nearby homes, businesses, or other facilities.
When replacement of a damaged bridge is warranted, eligible work may include upgrades necessary to meet current standards for road and bridge construction, as defined by the state or local highway department. Typical standards affect lane width, loading design, construction materials, and hydraulic capacity. If code requires, and if the applicant has consistently enforced that code, FEMA will permit changes in the bridge design. The change can be from one lane to two lanes to include access modification for a short distance (i.e., within area of damage). This does not apply to other expansions of capacity (e.g., from two lanes to four lanes).
Permanent restoration of a road or bridge that service USACE or NRCS levees and dams, private and commercial roads, and homeowners' association roads or that fall under the authority of the Federal Highway Administration is not eligible for public assistance.
Category D: Water Control Facilities
Water control facilities include dams and reservoirs, levees, lined and unlined engineered drainage channels, shore protective devices, irrigation facilities, and pumping facilities.
Restoration of the carrying capacity of engineered channels and debris basins may be eligible, but maintenance records or surveys must be produced to show the pre-disaster capacity of these facilities. The pre-disaster level of debris in the channel or basin is of particular importance to determine the amount of newly deposited disaster-related debris. Such a facility must also have had a regular clearance schedule to be considered an actively used and maintained facility.
Restoration of reservoirs to their pre-disaster capacity also may be eligible in accordance with the criteria for debris basins described above. Not all reservoirs are cleaned out on a regular basis, and evidence of pre-disaster maintenance must be provided to FEMA. In addition, removal of debris that poses an immediate threat of clogging or damaging intake or adjacent structures may be eligible.
The USACE and NRCS have primary authority for repair of flood control works, whether constructed with federal or non-federal funds, as well as authority over federally funded shore protective devices. Permanent repairs to these facilities are not eligible through the Public Assistance Program.
Category E: Public Buildings and Equipment
Buildings, including contents such as furnishings and interior systems such as electrical work, are eligible for repair or replacement under the Public Assistance Program. In addition to contents, FEMA will pay for the replacement of pre-disaster quantities of consumable supplies and inventory. FEMA will also pay for the replacement of library
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books and publications. Removal of mud, silt, or other accumulated debris is eligible, along with any cleaning and painting necessary to restore the building.
If an insurance policy applies to a facility, FEMA will deduct from eligible costs the amount of insurance proceeds, actual or anticipated, before providing funds for restoration of the facility. FEMA will reduce public assistance grants by the maximum amount of insurance proceeds an applicant would receive for an insurable building located in an identified floodplain that is not covered by federal flood insurance. The reduction in eligible costs will be the larger of the two reductions just described. The owners of insurable buildings can expedite the grant process by providing FEMA with policy and settlement information as soon as possible after a disaster occurs.
FEMA may pay for upgrades that are required by certain codes and standards. Examples include roof bracing installed following a hurricane, seismic upgrades to mitigate damage from earthquakes, and upgrades to meet standards regarding use by the disabled. For repairs, upgrades are limited to damaged elements only. If a structure must be replaced, the new facility must comply with all applicable codes and standards regardless of the level of FEMA funding.
If a damaged building must be replaced, FEMA has the authority to pay for a building with the same capacity as the original structure. However, if the standard for space per occupant has changed since the original structure was built, FEMA may pay for an increase in size to comply with that standard while maintaining the same occupant capacity. A federal or state agency or statute must mandate the increase in space; it cannot be based only on design practices for an industry or profession.
Category F: Public Utilities
Typical utilities include:
• Water treatment plants and delivery systems; • Power generation and distribution facilities, including generators, substations, and power lines; • Sewage collection systems and treatment plants; and • Telecommunications.
The owner of a facility is responsible for determining the extent of damage incurred. FEMA does not provide funds for random surveys to look for damage, such as TV inspection of sewer lines. If disaster-related damage is evident, however, FEMA may pay for inspections to determine the extent of the damage and method of repair.
While FEMA will pay for restoration of damaged utilities, FEMA does not provide funds for increased operating expenses resulting from a disaster. Similarly, FEMA cannot provide funds for revenue lost if a utility is shut down. However, the cost of establishing temporary, emergency services in the event of a utility shut-down may be eligible.
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Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Other Items
Repair and restoration of facilities such as parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries, and beaches is included in this category. Also, this category is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F.
Eligible publicly-owned facilities in this category include: playground equipment, swimming pools, bath houses, tennis courts, boat docks, piers, picnic tables, and golf courses.
Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E, and F.
Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.
Beaches. Emergency placement of sand on a natural or engineered beach may be eligible when necessary to protect improved property from an immediate threat. Protection may be to a 5-year storm profile or to its pre-storm profile, whichever is less.
A beach is considered eligible for permanent repair if it is an improved beach and has been routinely maintained prior to the disaster. A beach is considered to be an "improved beach" if the following criteria apply:
• the beach was constructed by the placement of sand to a designed elevation, width, grain size, and slope; and • the beach has been maintained in accordance with a maintenance program involving the periodic re-nourishment of sand at least every 5 years.
Typically, FEMA will request the following from an applicant before approving assistance for permanent restoration of a beach:
• design documents and specifications, including analysis of grain size; • "as-built" plans; • documentation of regular maintenance or nourishment of the beach; and • pre- and post-storm cross sections of the beach.
Permanent restoration of sand on natural beaches is not eligible.
Trees and Ground Cover. The replacement of trees, shrubs, and other ground cover is not eligible. This restriction applies to trees and shrubs in recreational areas, such as parks, as well as trees and shrubs associated with public facilities, such as those located in the median strips along roadways and as landscaping for public buildings. Grass and sod are eligible only when necessary to stabilize slopes and minimize sediment runoff.
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This restriction does not affect removal of tree debris or the removal of trees as an emergency protective measure. FEMA will reimburse for the removal of tree debris and the removal of trees as emergency protective measures if the removal eliminates an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety, and improved property, or if removal is necessary to ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large. However, FEMA will not reimburse for the replacement of these trees.
Average Total Obligations by Year and by Declaration
Major Disaster *
Average ObligationsAverage Obligations
per Year per Declaration A - Debris Removal $563,247,523 $15,009,336 B - Protective Measures $555,744,195 $14,263,209 C - Roads & Bridges $186,450,109 $4,293,952 D - Water Control Facilities $79,438,109 $1,798,933 E - Public Buildings $171,068,381 $4,993,352 F - Public Utilities $181,157,254 $4,958,447 G - Recreational or Other $75,267,843 $2,117,021 Z - State Management $198,537,405 $4,374,990 Total: $2,010,910,821 $51,809,240
*Note: A World Trade Center insurance Project Worksheet was excluded from the query as its inclusion results in a significantly skewed average.
Emergency
Average ObligationsAverage Obligations
per Year per Declaration A - Debris Removal $555,823 $33,649 B - Protective Measures $157,506,519 $11,042,175 C - Roads & Bridges $0 $0 E - Public Buildings $0 $0 F - Public Utilities $30,269 $1,796 G - Recreational or Other $7,831 $465 Z - State Management $348,849 $27,309 Total: $158,449,291 $11,105,394
Source data is the set of all declarations between October 1, 1998 and January 1, 2006.
Other Public Assistance
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For insurable structures within special flood hazard areas (SFHA), primarily buildings, assistance from FEMA is reduced by the amount of insurance settlement that could have been obtained under a standard NFIP policy. For structures located outside of a SFHA, FEMA will reduce the amount of eligible assistance by any available insurance proceeds.
FEMA reviews and approves the Project Worksheets and obligates the federal share of the costs (which cannot be less than 75 percent) to the state. The state then disburses funds to local applicants.
Projects falling below a certain threshold are considered ‘small.’ The threshold is adjusted annually for inflation. For fiscal year 2005, that threshold is $55,500. For small projects, payment of the federal share of the estimate is made upon approval of the project and no further accounting to FEMA is required. For large projects, payment is made on the basis of actual costs determined after the project is completed; although interim payments may be made as necessary. Once FEMA obligates funds to the state, further management of the assistance, including disbursement to sub-grantees is the responsibility of the state. FEMA will continue to monitor the recovery progress to ensure the timely delivery of eligible assistance and compliance with the law and regulations.
Note on the Project Worksheet: A Project Worksheet is the form used to document the scope of work and cost estimate for a project. This form supplies FEMA with the information necessary to approve the scope of work and itemized cost estimate prior to funding. Each project must be documented on a separate Project Worksheet. The approved Project Worksheet will then be the basis for funding under the Public Assistance Program. A project is a logical method of performing work required as a result of the declared event. You may include more than one damage site in a project. This offers flexibility in organizing and managing the work around your needs.
Once you have consolidated similar work items into projects, you will need to fully document your damage and repair plan by completing a Project Worksheet for each project. Although more than one site can be combined to make a project, only one project may be listed on a Project Worksheet.
Examples of Public Assistance
Public Assistance reimbursement program: State of Texas (2006)
• City of Baytown, $1,604,449 for interim housing. • City of San Antonio, $2,809,123 for interim housing. • Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, $3,350,637 for emergency protective measures. • City of Dallas, $1,662,424 for temporary sheltering.
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• Tyler County, $3,630,226 for debris removal. • Tyler County, $2,157,404 for debris removal. • Lamar University, $3,259,923 for emergency protective measures. • Jefferson County, $1.08 million for exterior and interior repairs to the county correctional facility, which was heavily damaged by high winds and rain from Hurricane Rita (June 2006)
Public Assistance: State of Mississippi (2006)
• Moss Point School District, $1.52 million to restore Magnolia Junior High School • City of Biloxi, $1.24 million to rebuild city-owned Marina Point lounge • Biloxi School District, $4.55 million to restore Nichols Elementary School • City of Waveland, $2.67 million for the removal of leaning trees, hanging limbs and branches as well as hazardous stumps from private sites (April 2006)
HAZARD MITIGATION
Hazard Mitigation refers to sustained measures enacted to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. In the long term, mitigation measures reduce personal loss, save lives, and reduce the cost to the nation of responding to and recovering from disasters.
Two sections of the Stafford Act, §404 and §406, can provide hazard mitigation funds when a federal disaster has been declared. In each case, the federal government can provide up to 75 percent of the cost, with some restrictions.
Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), authorized by §404 of the Act, communities can apply for mitigation funds through the state. The state, as grantee, is responsible for notifying potential applicants of the availability of funding, defining a project selection process, ranking and prioritizing projects, and forwarding projects to FEMA for funding. The applicant, or sub-grantee, carries out approved projects. The state or local government must provide a 25 percent match, which can be fashioned from a combination of cash and in-kind sources. Federal funding from other sources cannot be used for the 25 percent non-federal share with one exception. Funding provided to states under the Community Development Block Grant program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development can be used for the non-federal share.
The amount of funding available for the HMGP under a disaster declaration is finite and is limited to 7.5 percent of FEMA’s estimated total disaster costs for all other categories of assistance (less administrative costs). Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 emphasizes the importance of planning in reducing disaster losses. States will be required to develop a State Mitigation Plan that provides a summary of the hazards facing them, an assessment of the risks and vulnerabilities to those hazards, and a strategy for reducing those impacts. These plans will be required by November 1, 2004 as a condition of non-emergency assistance under the Stafford Act, and must be reviewed and updated every three years. States may choose to develop an Enhanced State Mitigation Plan in
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order to receive an increased amount of 20 percent for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding. By November 1, 2004, local jurisdictions also must develop mitigation plans in order to be eligible for project grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. In addition, states may use a set-aside of up to five percent of the total HMGP funds available for mitigation measures at their discretion. To be eligible, a set-aside project must be identified in a state’s hazard mitigation plan and fulfill the goal of the HMGP, this is, to reduce or prevent future damage to property or prevent loss of life or injury.
Eligible mitigation measures under the HMGP include acquisition or relocation of property located in high hazard areas; elevation of flood-prone structures; seismic rehabilitation of existing structures; strengthening of existing structures against wildfire; dry flood-proofing activities that bring a structure into compliance with minimum NFIP requirements and state or local code. Up to seven percent of the HMGP funds may be used to develop state and/or local mitigation plans.
All HMGP projects, including set-aside projects, must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and all relevant Executive Orders. HMGP grants cannot be given for acquisition, elevation, or construction purposes if the site is located in a designated SFHA and the community is not participating in the NFIP.
FEMA’s primary emphasis for HMGP funds, where appropriate, is the acquisition and demolition, relocation, elevation, or floodproofing of flood damaged or floodprone properties (non-structural measures).
• Acquisition and demolition: Under this approach, the community purchases the flood-damaged property and demolishes the structure. The property owner uses the proceeds of the sale to purchase replacement housing on the open market. The local government assumes title to the acquired property and maintains the land as open space in perpetuity. • Relocation: In some cases, it may be viable to physically move a structure to a new location. Relocated structures must be placed on a site located outside of the 100-year floodplain, outside of any regulatory erosion zones, and in conformance with any other applicable state or local land use regulations. • Elevation/Floodproofing: Depending upon the nature of the flood threat, elevating a structure or incorporating other floodproofing techniques to meet NFIP criteria may be the most practical approach to flood damage reduction. Flood-proofing techniques may be applied to commercial properties only; residential structures must be elevated. Communities can apply for funding to provide grants to property owners to cover the increased construction costs incurred in elevating or flood-proofing the structure.
Funding under §406 that is used for the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities or infrastructure may be used to upgrade the facilities to meet current codes and standards. It is possible for mitigation measures to be eligible for funding under both the HMGP and §406 programs; however, if the proposed measure is funded through §406, the project is not eligible for funds under the HMGP as well.
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Examples of Hazard Mitigation-FY 2005 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Recipients:
Hazard Mitigation: State of California • City of Palmdale, $98,325 for Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan • City of Tustin, $56,250 for Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan • Orange County, $168,054 for Regional Water & Wastewater Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
Hazard Mitigation: State of Iowa • Forest City, $43,200 for Flood Mitigation Project • Polk County, $150,580 for Polk County Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan • City of Hampton, $48,233 for Project to Project Critical Facilities from Flooding
Hazard Mitigation: State of New York • Town of Woodbury, $50,625 for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Project • Town of Islip, $93,750 for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Project • Suffolk County, $1,117,904 for All-Hazard Multi Jurisdictional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
Directory of Federal and State Resources
Federal Emergency Management 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road Agency Atlanta, GA 30341 (770) 220-5200 Phone Region I: Serving CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT (770) 220-5230 Fax Art Cleaves, Regional Director 99 High Street, 6th Floor Region V: Serving IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI Boston, MA 02110 Edward G. Buikema, Regional Director (877) 336-2734 Phone 536 South Clark St., 6th Floor Chicago, IL 60605 Region II: Serving NJ, NY, PR, VI (312) 408-5500 Phone Steve Kempf, Regional Director 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 1337 Region VI: Serving AR, LA, NM, OK, TX New York, NY 10278-0002 William E. Peterson, Regional Director (212) 680-3600 Phone Federal Regional Center 800 North Loop 288 Region III: Serving DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV Denton, TX 76209-3698 Patricia G. Arcuri. Acting and Deputy (940) 898-5399 Phone Regional Director (940) 898-5104 Congressional Inquiries 615 Chestnut Street (940) 898-5104 Media Inquiries One Independence Mall, Sixth Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404 Region VII: Serving IA, KS, MO, NE (215) 931-5608 Phone Dick Hainje, Regional Director 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 Region IV: Serving AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, Kansas City, MO. 64114-3372 SC, TN (816) 283-7002 Phone Mary Lynne Miller, Acting Regional Director
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Region VIII: Serving CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, Phoenix, Arizona 85008 WY (602) 244-0504 or 1-800-411-2336 David Maurstad, Regional Director www.azdema.gov Denver Federal Center Building 710, Box 25267 Arkansas Department of Emergency Denver, CO 80255-02674404 Management (303) 235-4800 Phone P.O. Box 758 Conway, Arkansas 72033 Region IX: Serving AZ, CA, GUAM, HI, NV, (501) 730-9750 CNMI, RMI, FSM, American Samoa (501) 730-9754 FAX Karen E. Armes, Acting Regional Director www.adem.state.ar.us/ 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94607-4052 C (510) 627-7100 Phone
California Governor's Office of Emergency Region X: Serving AK, ID, OR, WA Services John Pennington, Regional Director 3650 Schriever Ave. Federal Regional Center Mather , CA 95655-4203 130 228th Street, SW (916) 845-8510 Bothell, WA 98021-97964404 (916) 845-8511 FAX (425) 487-4600 Phone www.oes.ca.gov/
State Offices and Agencies of Colorado Office of Emergency Management Emergency Management Division of Local Government Department of Local Affairs 9195 East Mineral Avenue A Suite 200 Centennial , Colorado 80112 Alabama Emergency Management Agency (720) 852-6600 5898 County Road 41 (720) 852-6750 Fax P.O. Drawer 2160 www.dola.state.co.us/oem/oemindex.htm Clanton, Alabama 35046-2160 (205) 280-2200 Connecticut Office of Emergency Management (205) 280-2495 FAX Military Department ema.alabama.gov/ 360 Broad Street Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Alaska Division of Emergency Services (860) 566-3180 P.O. Box 5750 (860) 247-0664 FAX Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505-5750 www.mil.state.ct.us/OEM.htm (907) 428-7000 (907) 428-7009 FAX D www.ak-prepared.com Delaware Emergency Management Agency American Samoa Territorial Emergency 165 Brick Store Landing Road Management Coordination Smyrna, Delaware 19977 (TEMCO) (302) 659-3362 American Samoa Government (302) 659-6855 FAX P.O. Box 1086 www.state.de.us/dema/index.htm Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 (011)(684) 699-6415 District of Columbia Emergency Management (011)(684) 699-6414 FAX Agency 2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor Arizona Division of Emergency Management Washington, D.C. 20009 5636 E. McDowell Rd (202) 727-6161
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(202) 673-2290 FAX Illinois Emergency Management Agency dcema.dc.gov 110 East Adams Street Springfield, Illinois 62701 F (217) 782-2700 (217) 524-7967 FAX Florida Division of Emergency Management www.state.il.us/iema 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100 Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (850) 413-9969 302 West Washington Street (850) 488-1016 FAX Room E-208 A floridadisaster.org Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2767 (317) 232-3986 (317) 232-3895 FAX G www.ai.org/sema/index.html Georgia Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 18055 Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055 Management Division Department of Public Defense (404) 635-7000 (404) 635-7205 FAX Hoover Office Building www.State.Ga.US/GEMA/ Des Moines, Iowa 50319 (515) 281-3231 (515) 281-7539 FAX Office of Civil Defense Iowahomelandsecurity.org. Government of Guam P.O. Box 2877 Hagatna, Guam 96932 K (011)(671) 475-9600 (011)(671) 477-3727 FAX Kansas Division of Emergency Management http://ns.gov.gu/ 2800 S.W. Topeka Boulevard Topeka, Kansas 66611-1287 Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil (785) 274-1401 (785) 274-1426 FAX Defense 221B Chalan Palasyo www.ink.org/public/kdem/ Agana Heights, Guam 96910 Tel:(671)475-9600 Kentucky Emergency Management Fax:(671)477-3727 EOC Building www.guamhs.org 100 Minuteman Parkway Bldg. 100 Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-6168 (502) 607-1682 H (502) 607-1614 FAX kyem.ky.gov/ Hawaii State Civil Defense 3949 Diamond Head Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96816-4495 L (808) 733-4300 (808) 733-4287 FAX Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness www.scd.hawaii.gov 7667 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 (225) 925-7500 I (225) 925-7501 FAX www.ohsep.louisiana.gov Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services 4040 Guard Street, Bldg. 600 M Boise, Idaho 83705-5004 (208) 334-3460 (208) 334-2322 FAX Maine Emergency Management Agency www2.state.id.us/bds/ 45 Commerce Drive, Suite #2
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#72 State House Station Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Augusta, Maine 04333-0072 Management 207-624-4400 Department of Public Safety 207-287-3180 (FAX) Suite 223 www.state.me.us/mema/memahome.htm 444 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-6223 CNMI Emergency Management Office (651) 296-2233 Office of the Governor (651) 296-0459 FAX Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands www.hsem.state.mn.us/ P.O. Box 10007 Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (670) 322-9529 P.O. Box 4501 - Fondren Station (670) 322-7743 FAX Jackson, Mississippi 39296-4501 www.cnmiemo.org/ (601) 352-9100 (800) 442-6362 Toll Free National Disaster Management Office (601) 352-8314 FAX Office of the Chief Secretary www.www.msema.org P.O. Box 15 www.msema.org/mitigate/mssaferoominit.htm Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960- 0015 Missouri Emergency Management Agency (011)(692) 625-5181 P.O. Box 116 (011)(692) 625-6896 FAX 2302 Militia Drive Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 Maryland Emergency Management Agency (573) 526-9100 Camp Fretterd Military Reservation (573) 634-7966 FAX 5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive sema.dps.mo.gov Reistertown, Maryland 21136 (410) 517-3600 Montana Division of Disaster & Emergency (877) 636-2872 Toll-Free Services (410) 517-3610 FAX 1900 Williams Street www.mema.state.md.us/ Helena, Montana 59604-4789 (406) 841-3911 Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (406) 444-3965 FAX 400 Worcester Road dma.mt.gov/des/ Framingham, Massachusetts 01702-5399 (508) 820-2000 N (508) 820-2030 FAX www.state.ma.us/mema Nebraska Emergency Management Agency 1300 Military Road Michigan Division of Emergency Management Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-1090 4000 Collins Road (402) 471-7410 P.O. Box 30636 (402) 471-7433 FAX Lansing, Michigan 48909-8136 www.nebema.org (517) 333-5042 (517) 333-4987 FAX Nevada Division of Emergency Management www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123- 2525 South Carson Street 1593_3507---,00.html Carson City, Nevada 89711 (775) 687-4240 National Disaster Control Officer (775) 687-6788 FAX Federated States of Micronesia http://dem.state.nv.us/ P.O. Box PS-53 Kolonia, Pohnpei - Micronesia 96941 Governor's Office of Emergency Management (011)(691) 320-8815 State Office Park South (001)(691) 320-2785 FAX 107 Pleasant Street
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Concord, New Hampshire 03301 (701) 328-8181 FAX (603) 271-2231 www.state.nd.us/dem (603) 225-7341 FAX www.nhoem.state.nh.us/ O
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Ohio Emergency Management Agency Emergency Management Bureau 2855 W. Dublin Granville Road P.O. Box 7068 Columbus, Ohio 43235-2206 West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068 (614) 889-7150 (609) 538-6050 Monday-Friday (614) 889-7183 FAX (609) 882-2000 ext 6311 (24/7) www.state.oh.us/odps/division/ema/ (609) 538-0345 FAX www.state.nj.us/oem/county/ Office of Civil Emergency Management Will Rogers Sequoia Tunnel 2401 N. Lincoln New Mexico Department of Public Safety Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152 Office of Emergency Management (405) 521-2481 P.O. Box 1628 (405) 521-4053 FAX 13 Bataan Boulevard www.odcem.state.ok.us/ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 (505) 476-9600 Oregon Emergency Management (505) 476-9635 Emergency Department of State Police (505) 476-9695 FAX PO Box 14370 www.dps.nm.org/emergency/index.htm Salem, Oregon 97309-5062 (503) 378-2911 Emergency Management Bureau (503) 373-7833 FAX Department of Public Safety http://egov.oregon.gov/OOHS/OEM P.O. Box 1628 13 Bataan Boulevard P Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 (505) 476-9606 (505) 476-9650 Palau NEMO Coordinator www.dps.nm.org/emc.htm Office of the President P.O. Box 100 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 New York State Emergency Management Office (011)(680) 488-2422 1220 Washington Avenue (011)(680) 488-3312 Building 22, Suite 101 Albany, New York 12226-2251 (518) 457-2222 Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (518) 457-9995 FAX 2605 Interstate Drive www.nysemo.state.ny.us/ Harrisburg PA 17110-9463 (717) 651-2001 (717) 651-2040 FAX North Carolina Division of Emergency www.pema.state.pa.us/ Management 4713 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4713 Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (919) 733-3867 P.O. Box 966597 (919) 733-5406 FAX San Juan, Puerto Rico 00906-6597 www.dem.dcc.state.nc.us/ (787) 724-0124 (787) 725-4244 FAX North Dakota Division of Emergency Management R P.O. Box 5511 Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5511 Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (701) 328-8100 645 New London Ave Cranston, Rhode Island 02920-3003
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(401) 946-9996 103 South Main Street (401) 944-1891 FAX Waterbury, Vermont 05671-2101 www.riema.ri.gov (802) 244-8721 (802) 244-8655 FAX S www.dps.state.vt.us/
South Carolina Emergency Management Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Division Management - VITEMA 2779 Fish Hatchery Road 2-C Contant, A-Q Building West Columbia South Carolina 29172 Virgin Islands 00820 (803) 737-8500 (340) 774-2244 (803) 737-8570 FAX (340) 774-1491 www.scemd.org/ Virginia Department of Emergency Management South Dakota Division of Emergency 10501 Trade Court Management Richmond, VA 23236-3713 118 West Capitol (804) 897-6502 Pierre, South Dakota 57501 (804) 897-6506 (605) 773-3231 www.vdem.state.va.us (605) 773-3580 FAX www.state.sd.us/dps/sddem/home.htm W
T State of Washington Emergency Management Division Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Building 20, M/S: TA-20 3041 Sidco Drive Camp Murray, Washington 98430-5122 Nashville, Tennessee 37204-1502 (253) 512-7000 (615) 741-4332 (253) 512-7200 FAX (615) 242-9635 FAX www.emd.wa.gov/ www.tnema.org West Virginia Office of Emergency Services Texas Division of Emergency Management Building 1, Room EB-80 1900 Kanawha 5805 N. Lamar Boulevard, East Austin, Texas 78752 Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0360 (512) 424-2138 (304) 558-5380 (512) 424-2444 or 7160 FAX (304) 344-4538 FAX www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/ www.wvdhsem.gov
U Wisconsin Emergency Management 2400 Wright Street Utah Division of Emergency Services and P.O. Box 7865 Homeland Security Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7865 (608) 242-3232 1110 State Office Building P.O. Box 141710 (608) 242-3247 FAX Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-1710 http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ (801) 538-3400 (801) 538-3770 FAX Wyoming Office of Homeland Security www.des.utah.gov 122 W. 25th Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 (307) 777-4900 V (307) 635-6017 FAX http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us Vermont Emergency Management Agency Department of Public Safety Waterbury State Complex
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United States Small Business SBA Region II Office: Serving NJ, NY- Administration Buffalo, NY-New York District, NY-Syracuse, PR William Manger, Jr., Regional Administrator Disaster Area 1: 26 Federal Plaza Suite 3108 William E. Leggiero, Jr., Center Director New York, NY 10278 Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center (212) 264-1450 130 South Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 SBA Region III Office: Serving DC, DE, MD, (800) 659 – 2955 Toll Free PA-Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, VA, WV (716) 843 – 4100 Phone Philadelphia Regional Office (800) 877-8339 TTY Stephanie A. Watkins, Regional Administrator (716) 843-4290 Fax Robert N C Nix Sr., Federal Building 900 Market Street 5th Floor Disaster Area 2: SBA Regions 1-5 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Frank Skaggs, Center Director (215) 580-2807 Field Operations Center - East One Baltimore Place, Suite 300 SBA Region IV Office: Serving AL, FL- Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Jacksonville, FL-Miami, GA, KY, MS, NC, (800) 359-2227 Toll Free SC, TN (404) 347-3771 Phone Atlanta Regional Office (404) 347-3751 TTY Nuby J. Fowler, Regional Administrator (404) 347-4183 Fax 233 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 Disaster Area 3: (404) 331-4999 Phone Francis W. Bieber, Jr., Center Director (404) 331-2354 Fax Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center 14925 Kingsport Road SBA Region V Office: Serving IL, IN, OH, Fort Worth, Texas 76155 MI, MN, WI (800) 366-6303 Toll Free Patrick E. Rea, Regional Administrator (817) 868-2300 Phone 500 West Madison Street (817) 267-4688 TTY Citicorp Center, Suite 1240 (817) 684-5616 Fax Chicago, IL 60661-2511 (312) 353-0357 Phone Disaster Area 4: SBA Regions 6-10 (312) 353-3426 Fax Alfred E. Judd, Center Director Field Operations Center - West SBA Region VI Office: Serving AR, LA, NM, P.O. Box 419004 OK, TX-Dallas, TX-El Paso, TX-Harlingen, Sacramento, CA 95841-9004 TX-Houston, TX-Lubbock, TX-San Antonio (800) 488-5323 Toll Free Dallas Regional Office (916) 735-1500 Phone Joseph O. Montes, Regional Administrator (916) 735-1683 TTY 4300 Amon Carter Boulevard Suite 108 Hours of Operation: 8am to 5pm Fort Worth, TX 76155 Monday thru Friday (817) 684-5581 Phone (817) 684-5588 Fax SBA Region I Office: Serving CT, NH, MA, (817) 684-5552 TTY/TDD ME, RI, VT Charles E. Summers, Jr., Regional Administrator SBA Region VII Office: Serving IA-Des 10 Causeway Street, Suite 812 Moines, IA-Cedar Rapids, KS, MO-St. Louis, Boston, MA 02222-1093 MO-Kansas City, NE (617) 565-8415 Phone Kansas City Regional Office (617) 565-8420 Fax Samuel C. Jones, Regional Administrator 323 W. 8th Street Suite 307 Kansas City, MO 64105-1500 (816) 374-6380 Phone
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(816) 374-6339 Fax (816) 374-6312 TTY/TDD
SBA Region VIII Office: Serving CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY Denver Regional Office Elton E. Ringsak, Regional Administrator 721 19th Street Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202-2599 (303) 844-0500 Phone (303) 844-0506 Fax (303) 844-0507 TTY/TDD
SBA Region IX Office: Serving AZ, CA- Fresno, CA-Los Angeles, CA-Sacramento, CA-San Diego, CA-San Francisco, CA-Santa Ana, HI, NV, Guam Los Angeles Regional Office Bruce C. Thompson, Regional Administrator 330 North Brand Boulevard Suite 1270 Glendale, CA 91203-2304 (818) 552-3434 Phone (818) 552-3440 Fax
Norm Proctor, Regional Administrator 2401 Fourth Ave., Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 553-5676 Phone (206) 553-4155 Fax
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Regional Contacts Map
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