FEMA's Public Assistance Program - Building The Road To Recovery
Release Date: April 5, 2006
Release Number: 1604-306
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI , Miss. -- After a federally declared disaster, like Hurricane Katrina, getting funds to repair or rebuild damaged public infrastructure is a critical part of the response and recovery process.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program reimburses state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for the actual costs for work required as a result of the disaster. The program also provides funds for certain hazard mitigation projects.
Eligible work is documented on a Project Worksheet (PW). The PW is used to record a detailed description, the scope of eligible work, estimated or actual cost, and special considerations associated with the project. FEMA then reviews, approves and obligates the entire federal share of that project. Once FEMA obligates a PW, the funds become immediately available to the state for disbursement to applicants.
To facilitate the processing of the PA grants, FEMA distinguishes between emergency work and permanent work that requires repairs or replaces such things as roads, buildings and schools. FEMA further divides disaster-related work into seven categories.
Emergency Work
Category A : Debris Removal Clearance of trees and woody debris; building wreckage, sand, mud, silt and gravel; vehicles; and other material deposited on public and, in very limited cases, private property.
- Examples of eligible debris removal activities are:
- Debris removal from a street or highway to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicles
- Debris removal from public property to eliminate health and safety hazards
- Examples of ineligible debris removal activities include:
- Removal of debris, such as tree limbs and trunks from natural (unimproved) wilderness areas
- Removal of debris from a natural channel unless the debris poses an immediate threat of flooding to improved property
Category B : Emergency Protective Measures Measures taken before, during and immediately after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and protect improved public and private property.
An example of an approved Category B project from the Hurricane Katrina Disaster in Mississippi was a grant awarded to Hancock County . The $6.58 million grant was used to re-establish temporary emergency radio communications for the county's public safety agencies.
Other examples of eligible emergency protective measures are:
- Search and rescue
- Security forces (police and guards)
- Construction of temporary levees
- Provision of shelters or emergency care
- Sandbagging
- Bracing/shoring up of damaged structures
- Provision of food, water, ice and other essential needs
- Emergency repairs
- Emergency demolition
- Removal of health and safety hazards
Permanent Work
- Category C : Roads and Bridges Repair of roads, bridges, shoulders, ditches, lighting and signs
- Category D : Water Control Facilities Repair of irrigation systems, drainage channels and pumping facilities; repair of levees, dams and flood control channels is eligible but limited
- Category E : Buildings and Equipment Repair or replacement of public buildings, including contents and systems; heavy equipment; and vehicles
- Category F : Utilities Repair of water treatment and delivery systems; power generation facilities and distribution lines; and sewage collection and treatment facilities
- Category G : Parks, Recreational Facilities, Other Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches; work otherwise not covered in categories A-F
An example of an approved Permanent Work project (Category E) from the Hurricane Katrina Disaster in Mississippi was a grant awarded to the Pass Christian Middle School . The $3.37 million grant was used to restore one of nine buildings demolished as a result of the storm's tidal surge. The scope of the work included: removing the rubble of the damaged building, design and engineering of a new building, and replacing the building and its contents.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency that accesses funding and makes payments to PA program applicants. Generally it takes MEMA seven to 10 business days to process a check once all proper documentation is received and reviewed.
Applicants may check the payment status of a PW by calling MEMA at 228-385-5737 or by logging on to the PA program web site for Mississippi at www.mississippipa.org. This site is for the online application and management of Public Assistance grants from FEMA to state and local governments, Indian tribes and certain Private Non-Profit (PNP) organizations. Resources available for download include General Program Information, Disaster Specific Guidance, and Public Assistance forms.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 06-Apr-2006 11:19:06