Be Ready for the Next Disaster — and the Public Assistance Process!

IN THIS ISSUE Public Assistance Key to Disaster Recovery Natural disasters have become so widespread in recent years that they can be second-page news. While their frequency might dull our sensitivity to them, more importantly, they should be a wake-up call that now is the time to prepare for these events and to have a plan for recovering from the devastation they cause. In the United States, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program plays a major role in bringing about recovery for our communities. But as Skip Cerminaro of Tidal Basin explains, deriving full benefit from the program as quickly as possible starts with understanding its key operating procedures and documentation requirements. We believe you will find his article to be informative and a helpful first step in preparing now to recover if and when a disaster strikes. In 2020, the president declared 310 disasters — 104 major disasters, 128 emergency disasters and 78 fire disasters. They were the result of, but not limited to, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical and heavy storms, tornados, snow, ice and wildfires. All resulted in public entities being stressed beyond their capabilities to respond and recover. Be Ready for the Next Disaster — and the Public Assistance Process! Understanding these standard operating procedures and being proactive with required documentation will help expedite your recovery. By Skip Cerminaro Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Consulting