Get in contact at the start. As soon as applications come in, call every homeowner to explain the process, timeline and steps that will take place. Make sure the applicant has a voice. The first time you speak with any homeowner, listen to their story before asking questions and collecting information. Let the applicant… Read more
Have a Plan and Share it with the Community Publicly communicate the plan the local government has in place for initial damage assessments – community members want to know that you won’t arbitrarily pull together a damage assessment team when disaster strikes. Have designated, trained officials prepared to conduct damage assessments, and let the community… Read more
This guide from the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency provides FEMA Public Assistance applicants with information regarding Federal and State accounting, recordkeeping, documentation and procurement requirements. The guide includes a reference tool and checklists to assist in: Establishing accurate and complete accounting and recordkeeping systems Developing, assembling and retaining required documentation to support each… Read more
This presentation provides an overview of eligibility requirements, including program, project and homeowner eligibility levels. As presented to the National League of Cities, March 2017 IBTS Presentation: Eligibility Requirements (PowerPoint)
An overview of subrecipient agreements, including the definition of a subrecipient, how subrecipients differ from contractors, procurement of subrecipients, evaluating risks, the role of common interests and closeout compliance. As presented by IBTS to the National League of Cities, March 2017. Understanding Subrecipient Agreements (PowerPoint)
Well-conceived and effectively delivered emergency messages can help ensure public safety, protect property, facilitate response efforts, elicit cooperation, instill public confidence, and help families reunite. This lesson presents information about three aspects of communicating in an emergency, including: emergency communication challenges, emergency communication tools and creating effective emergency communication. FEMA Lesson Guide: Communicating in an Emergency
The goal of this publication is to provide operational practices for performing public information officer (PIO) duties within the Incident Command System (ICS). It offers basic procedures to operate an effective Joint Information System (JIS). See page 10 for a quick checklist of the PIO’s major responsibilities during a disaster. Basic Guidance for Public… Read more
Emergency response often bring images of search and rescue crews, Red Cross volunteers and firefighters to mind; but equally as important are staff who keep the public informed about all of the activities taking place to keep them safe. Often working behind the scenes, the Public Information Officer (PIO) facilitates public communications before, during, after… Read more
For Margarita Abramov, New York City contract and compliance administrator for IBTS, the process of improving compliance policies and procedures is never quite finished. “There’s always room for improvement,” she says. Abramov was responsible for program compliance oversight for recovery programs in New York City after Hurricane Sandy, a situation she notes was extreme… Read more
When planning for disaster, jurisdictions often overlook how they will communicate with citizens and stakeholders in the disaster area when traditional forms of communication are unavailable. Initial communications after a disaster are critical for the health and safety of residents; it’s important to have multiple plans in place for communicating in all scenarios. The… Read more
Stay up to date with all the latest IBTS news.