Homeowner appeals during the recovery process are inevitable and time-consuming, they should be a last resort for applicants. IBTS has processed close to 2,500 homes for programs receiving funding from the the HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, and been able to mitigate nearly all homeowner appeals — saving the locality and the applicant valuable… Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Although EMS professional’s day-to-day activities will cross-over into disaster response, they will likely experience heightened emotional and physical stress that comes with disaster response. City managers, emergency managers, local charitable organizations and nonprofits, and other relevant community stakeholders should work with EMS managers and supervisors during disaster planning and response to provide stress relief… Read more
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