State emergency management agencies (EMAs), regional FEMA offices and surrounding jurisdictions can serve as useful resources to supplement your locality’s disaster training needs before a disaster, and immediately after a disaster strikes if need be. These tips provide guidance to ensure localities take full advantage of regional training opportunities. Find out if your state… Read more
A program specifications document is required for communities participating in HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The document provides a framework for materials and construction methods that addresses common needs encountered by the program, from inception to closeout. Below, IBTS Build it Back Recovery Team Project Leader Josh Cummings provides tips for… Read more
After a major disaster, entire communities often need to be elevated and rehabbed. This is a huge, often multi-year challenge to the imagination, ingenuity, perseverance and fortitude of the recovery team. To alleviate these headaches, a comprehensive program specifications document can help guide the process by outlining specifications that span from paint color to roof pitch.… Read more
Although home inspections and building code enforcement aren’t often top-of-mind for residents and community stakeholders rebuilding from a disaster, they are vital to a successful disaster recovery and rebuilding program. Hiring building inspectors trained in disaster recovery is a must, and what’s more, inspection costs are eligible for reimbursement under ’s program. “What can… Read more
Before FEMA leaves, localities are required to establish a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) if one does not already exist. LTRG’s are independent of FEMA, HUD or any other federal agency, and exist to help meet the unmet disaster recovery needs of the community and individuals. Involve as many community stakeholders as possible. This ensures… Read more
In the chaos of natural disaster response and recovery — or any natural disaster planning, response or recovery activity — it’s important to remember that it is against the law to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, or economic status in all disaster assistance programs in Presidentially declared disaster areas. This… Read more
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) comprehensive “Disaster Recovery Guide for Homelessness” offers a framework for collaboration between local governments and services providers to ensure the needs of the entire community are met. The toolkit provides guides for all three phases of the natural disaster timeline, including a Local Planning Guide, Response… Read more
Providing proper documentation is crucial to ensuring that your community will receive and keep funding assistance following a disaster. Yet, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the detailed documentation requirements for FEMA, HUD’s program and other funding programs. It’s always a good idea to enroll in a FEMA or CDBG-DR training course prior to… Read more
Regardless of the disaster recovery grant program, homeowner applicant appeals are inevitable. There will be homeowners who have legitimate appeal requests, and those that know their appeal won’t go through but expend the effort regardless. Through years of experience and thousands of applications processed, IBTS has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and… Read more
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
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