Resources

Fact Sheet: What is FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program?

This FEMA fact sheet describes the types of services available under FEMA’s , which include housing assistance and other needs assistance. The IHP program provides financial help or direct services to disaster survivors who have necessary expenses and serious needs but are unable to meet these needs through other means.   Fact Sheet: What is FEMA’s… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. To reduce costs and accelerate the process, FEMA introduced debris removal alternative procedures. Yet despite cost benefits and incentives for quicker debris removal, few localities have taken advantage… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. The first step in a long road to recovery, a quick debris removal can set the tone for the entire recovery process and build the community’s confidence in… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. To reduce costs and accelerate the process, FEMA introduced debris removal alternative procedures. Yet despite cost benefits and incentives for quicker debris removal, few localities have taken advantage… Read more

FEMA Debris Removal Alternative Procedures: The Basics

  State and local officials responsible for disaster planning and management should always keep abreast of changes in the Stafford Act, especially those related to reimbursement. Debris removal, for example, is one of the most expensive operations in a disaster recovery effort. To keep costs down, FEMA introduced four new alternative procedure pilot projects that… Read more

FEMA Training Courses: The Fundamentals

The following FEMA online independent study courses introduce the fundamental framework of federal disaster response. In addition, specialized courses focusing on the and National Response Framework (NRF) from the perspective of specific roles are listed below:   IS-2900 — National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview IS-100.b — Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 IS-700.a — National Incident Management… Read more

Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program

The Federal Highway Administration provides basic information and a wide range of resources to inform localities and states on the administration’s Emergency Relief Program. States must apply to the Federal Highway Administration, not FEMA, for funding to supplement state and federal assistance to repair damage to federal highways or roads on federal land caused by natural disasters.… Read more

Communications Tips for Local Elected Officials

  Residents look to their elected officials for signs of hope and recovery after a natural disaster; it’s important for local elected officials to be informed enough to provide accurate — and empathetic — answers on the response and recovery process to the community. These tips provide advice for local elected officials to effectively engage… Read more

Tips: Engage Local Elected Officials in Disaster Response

If properly managed and engaged, local elected officials can be a great asset to disaster response and recovery operations. Below, Ken Parker, retired city manager of Port Orange, Florida, provides advice for localities on how best to engage elected officials and use their strengths to boost morale across the community. “Don’t be afraid to use… Read more

Tips for City Managers: Engage Local Elected Officials in Disaster Response

If properly managed and engaged, local elected officials can be a great asset to disaster response and recovery operations. Below, Ken Parker, retired city manager of Port Orange, Florida, provides advice for city managers on how best to engage elected officials and use their strengths to boost morale across the community. “Don’t be afraid to… Read more