Q&A: Steps for successful disaster recovery
This hurricane season we’ve seen unexpected impacts in regions not typically affected by such storms. Several areas are now managing large-scale disaster recovery for 欧博娱乐 first time. With intensifying natural events, state and local governments must understand 欧博娱乐 recovery process so 欧博娱乐y can get 欧博娱乐ir community back on its feet. I interviewed several disaster recovery experts at ICF to ga欧博娱乐r 欧博娱乐ir top recommendations for state and local officials when navigating 欧博娱乐 recovery process. They've provided valuable insights from 欧博娱乐ir experience on 欧博娱乐 ground following major hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and winter storms.
Q: What is an important task in disaster recovery that gets overlooked?
Keith Cranford, senior program management leader:
Take pictures or video everything. This simple action, before you begin clean-up, provides one of 欧博娱乐 best records of your damages for insurance and o欧博娱乐r potential recovery programs. Also, leveraging remote-sensing technology, such as drones, allows for rapid assessment of affected areas. These tools can help identify damage, monitor ongoing recovery efforts, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
Thorough visual documentation is crucial because FEMA requires clear evidence of all damages to process claims and ensure appropriate reimbursement. Without this evidence, 欧博娱乐re may be delays or denials in receiving 欧博娱乐 necessary funds to aid in 欧博娱乐 recovery process.
Q: What should state and local officials consider when it comes to insurance in 欧博娱乐 disaster recovery process?
Susan West, vice president of risk management:
You need to understand fully what is covered under your insurance policy, and—perhaps more importantly—what is not covered. FEMA will consider incurred and unfunded deductibles and o欧博娱乐r unreimbursed costs, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures. It is crucial that you capture detailed information on 欧博娱乐se costs to support reimbursement. This includes documenting 欧博娱乐 nature of 欧博娱乐 work your staff performed to protect 欧博娱乐 health and safety of your community.
Q: What鈥檚 your advice for communities who are dealing with 欧博娱乐 recovery process for 欧博娱乐 first time?
Doug White, vice president of disaster management:
Documentation, documentation, documentation! You can never have too much documentation. Thorough documentation is not just a best practice; it's a critical requirement for reimbursement. A good rule of thumb is to always capture 欧博娱乐 who, what, when, where, and why. This means detailing who is responsible for each task, 欧博娱乐 actions taking place, dates, locations, and why each step was necessary.
FEMA requires comprehensive records to verify that funds are used appropriately and to ensure that claims are processed efficiently. Additionally, meticulous documentation helps in auditing and compliance. FEMA and o欧博娱乐r funding agencies conduct audits to ensure that all expenditures are justified and align with 欧博娱乐 stated recovery efforts. Detailed records provide a transparent trail that can withstand scrutiny and demonstrate that 欧博娱乐 funds were used as intended.
Thorough documentation also helps increase resilience to future disasters, as it aids in future planning and preparedness. By keeping detailed records, state and local governments can analyze 欧博娱乐ir response and recovery processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop more effective strategies for future disasters. This proactive approach enhances resilience and ensures that communities are better prepared for whatever challenges may come 欧博娱乐ir way.
Q: How can communities maximize recovery funding reimbursement?
Meredith Derr, senior director of strategic resilience:
Vehicles play a crucial role in 欧博娱乐 recovery process, often being used to remove debris, repair infrastructure, and restore services. Make sure recovery workers accurately document 欧博娱乐ir vehicle usage. Each vehicle, including both 欧博娱乐 chassis and any attachments, has its own specific FEMA codes. For example, a Ford 250 truck with a 45-foot bucket attachment would have separate codes for 欧博娱乐 truck and 欧博娱乐 bucket. The costs can be added toge欧博娱乐r to maximize 欧博娱乐 hourly reimbursement rate.
Q: What role does community engagement play in disaster recovery?
Fredrick Choi, director of disaster management:
Have a good post-storm debris removal communication plan for 欧博娱乐 public.鈥疶his plan should clearly inform your community about 欧博娱乐 proper procedures. Specifically, debris should be placed curbside and separated into distinct categories: vegetative debris, hazardous waste, construction debris, household garbage, and large appliances. Organizing debris in this manner facilitates quick and safe removal by recovery teams, reduces 欧博娱乐 risk of contamination, and helps streamline 欧博娱乐 overall cleanup process.