Want to Help Your Community Recover? Come Work for FEMA!

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana residents looking for temporary work have an opportunity to lead in their communities’ recovery process by working with the Federal Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA is advertising through the Louisiana Workforce Commission to fill open positions at its disaster recovery offices in Louisiana. These are full-time jobs, but of temporary duration, with benefits including health insurance, sick leave and holiday pay. Job duration varies, but some may last as long as FEMA is locally involved in the recovery.  Benefits end when the job ends.

To apply, visit www.laworks.net, the website for “Louisiana Workforce Commission – Helping Individuals Reach Employment.”

  • Click in the “DISASTER RELIEF WORK” box at the top of the screen.
  • The list may be longer than the screen shows, so scroll to the bottom. It also may extend over multiple pages.
  • Click on a job description to open detailed requirements and a link to apply.

FEMA is seeking a wide variety of skilled workers, including administrative assistants, construction cost estimators, construction tradespersons, drivers, environmental experts, facilities workers, historic preservation specialists, travel agents and workers in many other specialties. Once hired, applicants will receive appropriate on-the-job training.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, 18 years or older and have a valid government identification card such as driver’s license or military ID. Candidates will be subject to a complete background investigation.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation or other non-merit factor.

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Want to Help Your Community Recover? Come Work for FEMA!

“How can I help?” – some answers for West Virginians who want to make a difference for disaster recovery

Charleston, W.Va.– In the face of disaster, the people of West Virginia have come together with courage and compassion to ask “How can I help?”

The main needs now are cash donations and volunteers.

Although there has been an outpouring of financial support already to help flood survivors more is needed. Cash donations enable nonprofit organizations to purchase what disaster survivors need most. Buying the items from local businesses helps the economy recover. No gift is too small.

West Virginians and people from throughout the nation have donated thousands of hours of labor to help the many affected folks who are elderly, disabled, living on fixed incomes or otherwise overwhelmed by the flood’s after effects. But more volunteers are needed.

There are many organizations that need donations and are looking for volunteers and at least two comprehensive groups focused on West Virginia flood recovery. The West Virginia Chapter of  National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (WVVOAD) represents dozens of faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations active in flood response and recovery. wvflood is a new website updated by Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, in partnership with WV VOAD with the support of the Office of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Anyone who can make a cash donation or volunteer may do so at the WVVOAD or wvflood websites.

Unfortunately, disasters tend to attract con artists who will take advantage of well meaning people. Donate to legitimate national or local organizations. Beware of solicitations to help survivors from people or groups who may sound sincere but you haven’t verified. If you are unsure or uncomfortable about the intentions of anyone you encounter, please contact local law enforcement. If you suspect fraud please call the West Virginia consumer protection hotline 800-368-8808.

Finally, be ready to stick around  for the long haul. The work of recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be a need for donations and volunteers to help West Virginia recover for many months, even years, to come.

Even if you’re not ready to take any action at this time, you may find recovery information and survivors can find out about and ask for assistance by visiting either of the websites:

#wvflood http://wvflood.com/about/Pages/default.aspx

or VOAD https://wvvoad.communityos.org/cms/

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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“How can I help?” – some answers for West Virginians who want to make a difference for disaster recovery

Support Documentation, Improved Project

FEMA-1909
PA ID# 037-52004-00; Nashville-Davidson County
PW ID# 5593; Support Documentation, Improved Project
09/25/2015

Conclusion:  On second appeal, Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation to support reimbursement of costs associated with resident engineering services and the need to replace anaerobic digester membranes and membrane seals.

Summary Paragraph

Between April 30, 2010 and May 18, 2010, severe rainstorms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds impacted Nashville-Davidson County.  The rainstorms caused the Cumberland River to overflow and submerge building 40 located at Applicant’s Metropolitan Water Services Biosolids facility.  Anaerobic digesters 1, 4, and 5 located at building 40 all sustained damage from floodwater inundation.  FEMA subsequently prepared Project Worksheet (PW) 5593 documenting necessary repairs to these three anaerobic digesters.  In a June 3, 2011 letter, the Applicant submitted its first appeal and argued FEMA erred in estimating direct administrative cost (DAC) and resident engineering costs—the Applicant also asserted that anaerobic digester membranes and their seals were in fact not repairable as FEMA had estimated on the original PW.  The total disputed amount, including associated construction management costs, totaled $1,041,873.44.  The FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator, through a June 1, 2012 letter, denied the appeal in its entirety, stating the following: the request for costs associated with residential engineering services lacked adequate documentation; the request for DAC failed to document work attributable to preparing a PW; and requests for increased costs to replace membranes and their seals could not be reimbursed because the replacement was an improvement.  In a letter dated August 10, 2012, the applicant submitted its second appeal, again requesting resident engineering costs and costs to replace the membranes and membrane seals—the total amount requested was $623,712 and included associated construction management costs.  Upon FEMA’s subsequent request for additional information, the Applicant provided documents describing resident engineer’s services.  Further, the Applicant has provided adequate documentation to substantiate the need to replace digester membranes and membrane seals. 

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 406 (a)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 5172.
  • 44 C.F.R. § 13.22.
  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.203(d)(1).
  • OMB Circular A-87 Attachment A (C)(1)(j)(a), 2 C.F.R. § 225 Appendix A (C)(1)(j)(a)
  • PA Digest, at 48.
  • PA Guide, at 36, 40, 79, 59, 110, and 139.

Headnotes

  • OMB Circular A-87 provides that allowable costs must meet the cost principles of being necessary; allocable to Federal awards; and adequately documented.
    • The Applicant provided documentation to demonstrate that the resident engineering costs are necessary, allocable, and adequately documented for PW 5593. 
  • PA Digest, at 48, provides that “[s]pecial services[,] which are not required on every restoration project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the eligible scope of work.”
    • This project is part of 19 separate PWs associated with flood recovery efforts of a complex nature, and could require the use of resident engineering services.
  • PA Digest, at 110, federal funding for improved projects is limited to the federal share of the estimated cost of the original project or the federal share of the actual costs of completing the improved project, whichever is less. The balance of funds is a non-federal responsibility.
    • The applicant provided adequate documentation to separate improved costs from the original estimate.

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Support Documentation, Improved Project

Eligibility

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

FEMA- 4031
PA ID# 043-34132-00; Town of Herkimer
PW ID# 2531; Eligibility
08/17/2015

Conclusion: The Applicant did not provide sufficient information to establish that the damage to the roadway and the retaining wall was a direct result of the declared disaster.

Summary Paragraph

After severe storms and heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Lee, the Applicant reported that high river flows in West Canada Creek damaged the East German Street Extension.  FEMA conducted a site visit and identified a 170-foot long section of the road with damage consisting of alligator cracks, stress cracks, and ground subsidence.  FEMA also noted that the adjacent retaining wall did not sustain any observable damage as the result of flooding.  Based on the field observations, FEMA found the road damage to be a result of pre-existing conditions and obligated PW 2531 for zero dollars.  In its first appeal, the Applicant claimed that the damage was a direct result of the disaster, contending that the road and the retaining wall had no history of subsidence-related damage, and requested an estimated repair cost of $140,000.  Upon review, the Regional Administrator denied the first appeal, finding that the road damage was not a direct result of the disaster. In its second appeal, the Applicant revises the funding request to a range between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and argues that all damage was a direct result of the disaster.  

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1).

  • PA Guide, at 29-30.

Headnotes

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1) states that an item of work must be required as the result of the emergency or disaster to be eligible for Public Assistance.The PA Guide further provides that work must be required as a direct result of the declared major disaster or emergency.

  • The damage on East German Street Extension and the adjacent retaining wall cannot be directly tied to the declared disaster.Accordingly, all the work performed to repair the damage is ineligible for Public Assistance.

  • The Applicant documented that the road failure was detected at some point after the disaster, outside of the incident period.However, the Applicant did not provide any documentation demonstrating that the damage, or its underlying cause, was absent prior to the disaster, or that the damage was a direct result of the disaster.Therefore, the work required to address the damage is ineligible.

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Eligibility

FEMA Mitigation Teams to End Community Outreach

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – There are only a few days left to meet with FEMA specialsts at select home building supply stores and learn how to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage.

The experts are available at the stores to talk to any Arkansas resident interested in building or remodeling their property to better withstand heavy rain, wind, and flooding.

FEMA specialists offer “how-to” information on both retrofitting buildings to make them more resistant to wind damage and ways to elevate utilities against  flood damage. They also provide tips to clean and help prevent mold and mildew

These locations, hours, and end dates were announced:

  • Garland County: Lowe’s, 300 Cornerstone Blvd., Hot Springs

    • from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The teams end their work their on Aug. 5, 2015.

  • Sebastian County: Lowe’s 8001 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith

    • from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.The team ends their work COB on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015.

  • Miller County: Davis Lumber Company,  Hwy 71, South, Texarkana

    • from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The team ends their work COB on Aug. 1, 2015.

Many of the tips and techniques offered are specifically geared for the do-it-yourselfer and for building contractors. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access materials such as Braille, large print, please let our representatives know. ASL interpreters are available by appointment by calling 870-451-9241.

FEMA offers a number of free online resources for home and property owners. To get started, go to

www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

 

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FEMA Mitigation Teams to End Community Outreach

AmeriCorps Helping Storm Survivors in Southeast Michigan

WARREN, Mich. – AmeriCorps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, serves communities across America. When the call came to assist Michiganders affected by the August flooding, more than 30 AmeriCorps members were called into action. Members are in Michigan assisting homeowners with mucking out hundreds of homes damaged during the storm.

AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team members are tearing out ruined drywall and paneling, ripping up sodden carpets and linoleum, and hauling out damaged refrigerators and cabinets. They are piling up mounds of debris from basement kitchens, bedrooms and areas where residents stored photos, heirlooms and other treasures. They are removing mold when they find it, after donning protective gear.

Some 368 cubic yards of debris was removed from homes in the first week this team was on the ground. Their work is particularly difficult as the deluge in mid-August that shut down some freeways and roadways for days also caused sewer system backups throughout Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

“The work AmeriCorps is doing is vital,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “They are helping those disaster survivors who need it most.”

Residents in need of assistance are calling 211 to request a free home cleanup.

“Priority is being given to the elderly, disabled and others whose circumstances make it difficult for them to do it themselves,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont.

AmeriCorps members work long hours, sometimes barely stopping for lunch, although Norma Eggman, 22, said she appreciated the pizza from one thankful homeowner. Her day starts early and ends late. The work of mopping out basements and smashing ruined furniture is hard, but Eggman is proud of what she and her team are doing.

“I’m proud to serve and I’m excited to be doing this work,” Eggman said.

Eggman is an AmeriCorps member with the Arizona Conservation Corps. She and her teammates piled into a van and drove for three days to Michigan. AmeriCorps members with the Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, Montana Conservation Corps and Texas Conservation

Corps also are in Michigan helping flood survivors. Members include residents of those five states and others from Georgia, Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

“The national service family is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with those in southeast Michigan,” said Kelly DeGraff, senior advisor for Disaster Services at the Corporation for National and Community Service. “AmeriCorps members are here to not only provide vital services, but hope and comfort to those in need.”

AmeriCorps members are housed at a local monastery. They will work in Michigan for about a month before returning to their jobs doing trail maintenance, stream restoration and other conservation measures. Other AmeriCorps teams rotate in so the work flow in Michigan is not interrupted.

Crew leader Alexandra Breant, 24, and her team recently mucked out a retired widow’s home. The team carried sodden items outside and then Breant sat down to talk with the woman.

“There were things she didn’t want to let go of,” said Breant of Phoenix. “I needed to be compassionate and understanding, as this was someone’s life.”

Breant echoed the sentiment of many AmeriCorps members. “It is an honor and an opportunity to be able to help Michigan residents,” she said.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

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AmeriCorps Helping Storm Survivors in Southeast Michigan

Survivors in the Florida Panhandle Warned to Watch Out for Scam Artists

PENSACOLA, Fla. – With many Floridians on the road to recovery from the recent storms and flooding, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials warn of scam artists.

“We understand that survivors are anxious to get repairs done and get the help they need to put their lives back in order,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan Koon. “As you begin repairs, please take the necessary steps to ensure that you are hiring legitimate, responsible contractors.”

The state and FEMA caution residents to be on alert for scam artists using tricks to obtain vital information or take advantage of storm-weary survivors.

Some of the scams often used are:

Home Repair

Unlicensed home improvement contractors may take the disaster survivor’s money and disappear, leaving unfinished work and unsafe homes. Before hiring a contractor, storm survivors should check with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation online at www.myfloridalicense.com. The DBPR website provides information about licensed contractors.

Always ask for proof of the contractor’s liability insurance. All contracts should be in writing and carefully reviewed before being signed. Full payment should not be made until the work is completed. The local police department should be notified of suspected fraud.

Price Gouging

Excessive price increases are illegal. Check with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs at freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Consumer-Services or call 800-HELP-FLA or TTY 800-435-7352 if you suspect prices are unreasonably high.

False Payments and Bribes

Con artists may pose as insurance specialists or expeditors, claiming they can convince FEMA to increase home repair damage aid or the insurer to pay a larger settlement. The scammers ask the applicant or policyholder to sign a contract giving them a percentage of the “increased” payment.

The essence of the con is to take a percentage of the damage grant or policy settlement. FEMA always deals directly with each applicant and is always willing to consider an appeal by sending a new inspector to review damaged property or claimed losses.

# # #

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Survivors in the Florida Panhandle Warned to Watch Out for Scam Artists

New Jersey Ahead Of Schedule On Public Assistance Closeouts

LINCROFT, N.J. — When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey in October 2012, the damage it wreaked created the need for thousands of necessary projects ranging from debris removal to bridge reconstruction. Sixteen months later, New Jersey’s progress in managing the projects stemming from the impact of the storm has exceeded expectations.

Doug Westermann, Public Assistance Branch Chief at the FEMA New Jersey Sandy Recovery Field Office, says that New Jersey is ahead of schedule on closing out projects on a disaster of this magnitude. New Jersey is planning the final group of projects and working with the state Office of Emergency Management to start closing completed projects.

“This has really only been made possible by the efforts put forth with the State OEM and our Sandy Recovery Office to move forward and not delay the process,” Westermann said.

The closeout process begins when a project is funded and completed. The applicant must certify to the State that the work is finished and all of the allocated money was spent. Small projects are often bundled together under one applicant and can be closed as a group when they are all complete. Large projects must be closed individually. The Final Inspection Report (FIR), which consists of reconciliation of costs for the work performed in dealing with large projects, is initiated. Supporting documents are audited and added to the report, and amendments may be written after overages and/or shortfalls are reconciled. After the report is reviewed by the applicant and grantee, it is then entered into the Emergency Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE) grant tracking program. After that process, the project will be closed, if requested by the grantee. 

The Public Assistance FAQ at www.fema.gov defines a large project as any incident with damage costs greater than $68,500. Of the estimated 5,103 Public Assistance projects in the system in New Jersey, 1,534 are considered large projects.

Through the Public Assistance program, FEMA grants state governments the funds to reimburse municipalities, county governments and eligible private nonprofit agencies for the repair or replacement of damaged roads and bridges, water-control facilities, public buildings and their contents, publicly owned utilities, and parks and recreation areas. It also includes funds for emergency services and eligible debris-removal costs related to the disaster. FEMA reimbursed these applicants 90 percent of the eligible cost.

Nearly $1.1 billion in Public Assistance grants have been obligated in New Jersey since Sandy struck. Emergency projects, including debris removal and emergency protective measures, have accounted for $729.25 million, while permanent repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, utilities and buildings, have cost $359.5 million.

Westermann said FEMA has received 63 projects from the State that are ready to be closed.

Many of the completed projects were short-term emergency projects in which the money was allocated and governmental issues were addressed. Westermann says that Congress mandated several critical changes that have affected how much time applicants have to spend allocated funds, placing greater emphasis on getting the money to them. The Applicants’ Handbook at www.fema.gov/applicant-handbook states that applicants have six months to complete emergency projects and 18 months for permanent projects.

“In order to keep money flowing to the applicants, it is critical to work on closing things out so the state can release the funds that FEMA had obligated during the project development phase,” he said.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications

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New Jersey Ahead Of Schedule On Public Assistance Closeouts

$332 Million in Federal Funding Supports Nassau County’s Sandy Recovery

NEW YORK — FEMA has approved nearly $333 million in Hurricane Sandy assistance to fund emergency efforts and help repair and rebuild public infrastructure in Nassau County.                                    

To date, local, state and federal recovery officials have identified 819 projects from applicants in Nassau County that are eligible for Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The $332,775,166 in assistance represents 90 percent of the cost of approved PA projects that will be reimbursed by FEMA. The state manages the PA program and disburses funding.

A breakdown by category of work:

         Debris Removal                                                   $200,077,734

         Emergency Protective Measures                         $  65,104,573

         Roads and Bridges                                              $    2,651,220

         Water Control Facilities                                       $       203,701

         Buildings and Equipment                                    $  27,679,369

         Utilities                                                                $    4,939,793

         Parks, Recreational, and Other Facilities           $  32,118,774

More than $6.2 million is included in the funding for Nassau County for permanent work to reduce or eliminate repeat disaster damage.

PA applicants included:

  • state agencies
  • local and county governments
  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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$332 Million in Federal Funding Supports Nassau County’s Sandy Recovery

$37 Million in Federal Funding Supports Kings County’s Sandy Recovery

NEW YORK — FEMA has approved nearly $38 million in Hurricane Sandy assistance to fund emergency efforts and help repair and rebuild public infrastructure in Kings County.

To date, local, state and federal recovery officials have identified 108 projects from applicants in Kings County that are eligible for Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The $37,924,258 in assistance represents 90 percent of the cost of approved PA projects that will be reimbursed by FEMA. The state manages the PA program and disburses funding.

A breakdown by category of work:

         Debris Removal                                                   $  9,338,889  

         Emergency Protective Measures                         $26,624,607

         Buildings and Equipment                                    $  1,938,293

         Parks, Recreational and Other Facilities             $      22,470

$425,830 is included in the funding for Kings County for permanent work to reduce or eliminate repeat disaster damage.

PA applicants included:

  • state agencies
  • local and county governments
  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services
  • FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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$37 Million in Federal Funding Supports Kings County’s Sandy Recovery

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