1. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANTS
FEMA
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Pre & Post Preparedness Activities
PRESENTER:
Jeffrey Westbrook, P. E.
Senior Project Manager
Hydrostructures, P.A.
PHOTOGRAPHS:
Hurricane Katrina
Courtesy of FEMA News Photo

2. Survey – October 2015 Floods
You and/or your family personally affected?
You work for a utility that
Had damages?
Had extra personnel and equipment cost before, during and after?
Has applied for FEMA Public Assistance Grants?
Has fully recovered – all damages repaired?
Has received reimbursement from the State of SC/FEMA?
Had customers affected?
Have lost revenues?

3. FLOODING

4. DEBRIS

5. DESTRUCTION

6. Pre & Post Activities to MINIMIZE TIME + MAXIMIZE PA GRANTS
Minimize Time From Disaster To Full Recovery
Community Will Not Recover w/o Infrastructure
Disaster Reduces Revenues
High Costs of Recovery
PA Grants Are Reimbursements – work must be completed and paid
Cash Flow Problems
Maximize Public Assistance (PA) Grants You Qualify For
Maximizing Will Reduce Utility’s Debt
MINIMIZE TIME + MAXIMIZE PA GRANTS

7. MINIMIZE TIME + MAXIMIZE PA GRANTS
AGENDA
What do you need to do before disaster strikes?
What do you need to do after disaster strikes?

8. PRE-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Preparedness
Prevent, Protect, Mitigate, Respond, Recovery
Records
As-Builts, Inventories, Photographs, Maintenance, Billing
Backed-Up in Remote, Safe Location
Interagency Agreements
WARN and Public Works Mutual Aid Agreements

9. PRE-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Funding Source
FEMA Typical Provides 75%
Reimbursement Takes Time
Design/Construction Codes, Standards, & Specifications
In-Place and In-Use Prior To Disaster
Include Building Elevations & Wind Loads
PA Grant Program:
Train Staff - Basic Understanding

10. PRE-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Train Staff To Document
Photographs, Mark Water Levels, Etc.
Worth a 1000 words
Labor, Equipment, Materials, and Description of Activity
Expenses Are Typically Eligible For PA Grants
Documentation Must Be Detailed

11. PRE-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
In-Place Contracts
Debris Removal
Debris Monitoring
Architect/Engineer Services
Construction
Hard Construction, Electrical, Instrumentation/Controls
FEMA PA Specialist
Can Overwhelm Staff
Someone On Your Side
Contractors MUST Keep Detailed Records

12. PRE-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Insurances
Flood & Wind Insurance
Insure All Facilities That Can Be Insured
FEMA Will Not Fund Missing Insurance Proceeds Of Facilities/Equipment That Would Have Had Insurance Proceeds If Insured

13. POST-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Activate Interagency Agreements
Document Disaster and Maintain Records
Projects Receiving PA Grant Will Be Audited
Document Staff Labor, Equipment, Materials, and Activities
Include activities immediately prior to disaster
Contractor Must Document
Request State Governor To Seek Federal Assistance
Presidential Federal Disaster Declaration
When Federal Disaster is Declared
Follow The Required Schedule – Submit Documents

14. POST-DISASTER ACTIVITIES
Active Funding
Community Disaster Loan (CDL)
Other
Key Staff – Working Knowledge Of PA Grants Program
Activate In-Place Contracts - Document
Identify Projects and Apply For PA Grants
Seek Hazard Mitigation for the Damaged Facilities (406)

15. SUMMARY Pre-Disaster Activities
Preparedness: Prevent, Protect, Mitigate, Response, Recovery
Records
Interagency Agreements
Funding Source
Standards and Specifications
Training in PA Grant Program
Training In Documentation
In-Place Contracts
Insurances

16. SUMMARY Post-Disaster Activities Interagency Agreements
Document Disaster - Records
Document Labor, Equipment, Materials and Activities / Don’t Forget Contractor
Request Federal Assistance / Follow Schedule
Refresh on PA Grant Program
Activate In-Place Contracts
Identify Projects and Apply For PA Grants and 406

17. MINIMIZE TIME + MAXIMIZE PA GRANTS

18. BE PREPARED !!
So Your Recovery
Does Not Turn Into A
“DISASTER”

19. QUESTIONS PRESENTER: Jeffrey Westbrook, P. E. Senior Project Manager
Hydrostructures PA