Be Ready for the Next Disaster - Page 10

10 D I SAS T E R R ECOVE RY TODAY.COM As discussed previously, before-and- after pictures greatly help the eligibility of a damaged facility. Incorporating this procedure in your routine maintenance records will solidify and expedite your retention of disaster funding. their administrative burden, FEMA, as stewards of taxpayer resources, continually implements changes in how damage is identified and evaluated. Initially, after the Recipient requests federal intervention following an event, a joint FEMA, state and applicant Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) is conducted. If all PA Program criteria are met and a declaration is granted, the first significant meeting with affected Sub-recipients will be the Applicant’s Briefing in which the state discusses the application process, administrative requirements, funding, and PA Program eligibility criteria. The next step for the Applicant is to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA). After review and approval of the RPA, FEMA will conduct a brief Exploratory Call with an Applicant. Within 21 days FEMA and the Recipient should conduct a Recovery Scoping Meeting (RSM) which kicks-off the assistance process for the Applicant. Damaged facilities and emergency work must be identified and reported to FEMA within 60 days of the RSM. Typically, FEMA will require a comprehensive list of damages accompanied by corresponding estimates of expenditures and repairs. This information and documentation may be requested much earlier in the process, starting with the PDA and RPA. Be sure that all time spent on the documentation of each project is recorded by the person who collects or develops the information. All the time to attend these meetings, collect project information and manage the PA awards is eligible for reimbursement as grant management and administrative cost 6 . Liberty State Park pedestrian bridge destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. FEMA News Photo Liberty State Park pedestrian bridge replaced after Hurricane Sandy. Fred Gaunt/FEMA Identifying and Estimating Disaster- Related Damages Standard operating procedures under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for providing grants in disasters are in constant flux. To streamline the process and lessen