Resources

Introduction to FEMA

In disaster recovery, the role that the Stafford Act plays in how FEMA is authorized to provide disaster assistance funding is critically important, but it is challenging for localities to understand all the requirements. Below is a brief overview of the Stafford Act. Additionally, tools and resources are available for helping communities meet requirements.

Example: Design Consultation Version Control

To maintain the integrity of the design consultation process, a best practice is to use a scope and version control system. See the document below for an example, and see the Scope/Estimate Version Control tool  for a template you can download and customize.

Experiences Gained: Working with Housing Cooperatives in Post-Disaster Recovery

Housing cooperatives and other planned communities present their own challenges during the post-disaster recovery process. A single apartment block might yield more opinions and challenges than an entire small town. Add in the profusion of city, state and national ordinances and regulations that the process must meet, and the task can quickly become unmanageable. Yet… Read more

Experience Gained: Building a Strong Long-Term Recovery Group

At the end of post-disaster response, many communities start to feel abandoned – their FEMA representative leaves and it often seems like funding options are diminishing. Communities often find themselves asking the question, “What do we do now?” During this period of transition, a long-term recovery group (LTRG) can play an integral role in keeping… Read more

An Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its offshoot discount incentive program, the Community Rating System (CRS), help communities get back on their feet in the wake of flooding incidents by providing affordable insurance to property owners and encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. The program, managed by the Federal Emergency Management… Read more

IBTS Tools: Declaration of Disaster Request Wizard

Resilience

Resilience planning ensures that your community is better prepared for future disasters. For communities that have recovered from a disaster, it is critical to take the time to apply lessons learned from the experience. Click on the topics below to learn more for your community. Lessons Learned Disaster Planning Revisions Codes, Ordinance Review & Revisions… Read more