This paper outlines the major “Lessons Learned” by municipalities in responding to Superstorm Sandy. The report identifies what worked and what did not, focusing on three areas: providing basic services, meeting the needs of special populations, and allocating resources. It also identifies what needs attention and ways to build resilience before the next inevitable disaster.… Read more
Frequently-asked questions about the Stafford Act from the Public Risk Management Association. (PDF). Stafford Act
The Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA
The Stafford Act constitutes the statutory authority for most federal disaster response activities especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs. In response to the to the evolving demands for federal disaster assistance, Congress has passed legislation to amend the Stafford Act to improve the role of the federal government in disaster assistance. Pre-1950… Read more
Program administration requires a significant amount of time and effort, which can place a heavy burden on localities — especially on those already coping with the disorganization following a disaster. Failing to comply with CDBG-DR program regulations can result in localities having to pay funds back to HUD. Before pursuing CDBG-DR funding, consider if your… Read more
Immediately after disaster strikes, localities must quickly pull together disaster recovery teams and find funding for recovery efforts. Although any natural disaster can be devastating, community leaders can take a few strategic steps at the very start of post-disaster response to set the community up for immediate and long-term recovery success, allowing them to rebuild stronger… Read more
Disaster recovery can be a long, drawn-out process that takes a toll not only the community members, but also on local governments that have to provide routine services while also working to rebuild and restore the community. When disaster recovery exceeds the capacity of a local governments’ staffing capabilities and skillsets, consulting with a small,… Read more
Check the Federal Register Notices periodically to identify any additional recordkeeping requirements. HUD provides a list of required documentation, including general administrative records, financial records, project activity and more. Use these resources to develop checklists of requirements that staff can refer to.
Communities who have been through a presidentially declared disaster cannot stress enough the importance of detailed, proper record keeping systems from the day the disaster strikes, if not before. Use these tips to setup a record keeping system in your own locality that ensures compliance with FEMA documentation requirements. Have a well-defined system in… Read more
Include project timelines, cost estimates and designated roles and responsibilities in written project execution plans to help ensure FEMA compliance. Seek help from your Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) to provide technical assistance and ensure projects are compliant with Public Assistance guidelines.
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