Develop a Rebuilding Plan: Knowing your program and funding options is vital

DISASTERRECOVERY TODAY .COM D I S A S T E R R E C O V E R Y T O D A Y FEMA’S Changing Role 2 FEMA Public Assistance Program – Efficient, Effective, Consistent – Program Description – October 1, 1998 PROCESS 2  The PA Program is based on a partnership of FEMA, state and local officials. FEMA is committed to enhancing this part- nership through improved commu- nication, training and information exchange. The roles and respon- sibilities of FEMA, state and local governments and private nonprofit organizations are being more clearly defined and responsibilities more flexibly based on the capabilities of the state and local partners. FEMA FEMA’s role is changing from inspection and enforce- ment to customer service and assistance. In this role, FEMA will provide more information about the program in various media before the disaster strikes and more technical assistance in the development of damage descrip- tions and cost estimates after the disaster. State The state’s role as Grantee is largely unchanged from the existing program, and the state’s financial responsibilities are the same. As Grantee, the state is still responsible for administering the federal grant. However, the redesigned PA Program does al- low the state flexibility in meeting many of its other responsibilities. For example, there will no longer be a need for a federal-state-lo- cal team to inspect and prepare damage estimates for most small projects, since applicants may choose to do their own estimates. FEMA and state officials will meet soon after the declaration to de- velop a public assistance recovery strategy, which will address FEMA and state staffing plans. FEMA will continue to assist the state, in ways mutually agreed upon, in meeting its responsibilities . Local The role of local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations changes with their taking more control in meeting their own needs and managing the pace of their own recovery. Those applicants who can prepare scopes of work and cost estimates for small projects will be allowed to do so, subject to 20% validation by FEMA or the state. FEMA will continue to assist other applicants in preparing their damage descriptions and cost estimates. CORPORATE OFFICE 126 Business Park Drive Utica, New York 13502 1-800-382-2468 Outside U.S. (315) 797-3035 FAX: (315) 272-2054 editor@disasterrecoverytoday.com PUBLISHER Ronald A. Cuccaro, SPPA EDITOR Sheila E. Salvatore WEB ADDRESSES www.adjustersinternational.com www.disasterrecoverytoday.com DISASTER RECOVERY TODAY is published as a public service by Adjusters International, Inc. It is provided for general information and is not intended to replace professional insurance, legal and/or financial advice for specific cases. DRC05-3R 4004 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Copyright © 2007 Adjusters International, Inc. Adjusters International ® and the AI logo are registered trademarks of Adjusters International, Inc. All rights reserved.