Public Assistance Helps To Restore Or Replace Public Property And Infrastructure
Release Date: September 30, 2004
Release Number: 1551-bk-006
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Hurricanes and other natural disasters threaten more than homes. They damage or destroy bridges, highways, public buildings, parks and water treatment plants, and leave tons of debris. Communications and emergency services are also disrupted.
In addition to the many assistance programs available to help individuals recover from the impacts of hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers help to local, county and state agencies. Some private non-profit organizations that suffered damage also are eligible for aid. FEMA’s funding program for these agencies is called “Public Assistance.”
The kinds of damage for which FEMA’s Public Assistance program can help include debris removal, emergency protective measures, road systems and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks, and recreational facilities.
Federal, state and local teams inspect disaster-related damage, examine expenses identified by the state or local representatives, and prepare reports which outline the scope of repair work needed and the estimated restoration or replacement cost.
For projects that are approved, FEMA pays 75 percent of the cost. The state of Florida pays half of the remaining 25 percent, and the agency or non-profit pays the rest.
Private non-profit organizations may qualify for assistance to restore certain types of facilities, including educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and other facilities that provide essential government types of services.
"Applicant Briefings" are conducted by to inform agency officials about assistance available and how to apply for it. The agencies must file their "Request for Public Assistance" with the state within 30 days after their county or tribe is designated as eligible for assistance. FEMA and state teams also meet with potential applicants individually in "Kickoff Meetings," where damages are discussed, needs assessed, and a plan of action put in place.
For insurable structures within special flood hazard areas (SFHA), primarily buildings, assistance from FEMA is reduced by the amount of insurance settlement that could have been obtained under a standard National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy. For structures located outside of a SFHA, FEMA will reduce the amount of eligible assistance by any available insurance proceeds.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida’s emergency management agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief effort.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 01-Oct-2004 16:21:09