As one of the most vulnerable populations in disaster response and recovery, a community’s homeless population cannot be overlooked in disaster planning. June Gin, Veterans Emergency Evaluation Center (VEMEC) Research Health Scientist, recommends that stakeholders involved in the disaster planning process coordinate and collaborate with homeless service organizations during planning. If your community doesn’t have… Read more
This FEMA guide outlines six planning steps and associated key activities to assist local governments in developing a comprehensive disaster response and recovery plan. Establishing clear roles and responsibilities and building relationships across community and regional leaders, organizations and individuals before a disaster can help your community become more resilient and recover faster from disasters.… Read more
This publication provides practical guidance for local officials, emergency planners, homeless service providers and others involved with their community’s disaster planning process to better meet the needs of homeless populations after a natural disaster. The publication covers a range of topics, including: defining special needs populations, personal preparedness, communication, transportation and evacuation, sheltering, health status… 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
In disaster recovery, the relationship and interaction between FEMA and the 50 states is critically important and based on state sovereignty concepts defined when the U.S. Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. Federal disaster assistance is intended to supplement — not replace — state, local, and private-sector resources. In almost all cases, states must formally… Read more
An overview of subrecipient agreements, including the definition of a subrecipient, how subrecipients differ from contractors, procurement of subrecipients, evaluating risks, the role of common interests and closeout compliance. As presented by IBTS to the National League of Cities, March 2017. Understanding Subrecipient Agreements (PowerPoint)
Grantees must ensure that they are following proper documentation and program requirements in order to ensure that they are compliant with the CDBG-DR program. Yet this can be easier said than done. Staff managing the recovery process can be overwhelmed with additional work. Follow these tips to make sure that your program is able to… Read more
Orange County, Texas, offers an insightful example of the types of staffing considerations localities experience during a disaster. The county was faced with a unique natural disaster situation in March of 2016 when the nearby Sabine River reached record-level highs, forcing operators at the Toledo Bend Dam to release water at an accelerated rate, flooding… Read more
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