FEMA, State and the University of Iowa Collaborate for Success
Release Date: December 2, 2008
Release Number: 1763-216
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Behind the $83.4 million provided to the University of Iowa for flood recovery stand the representatives of the university, state and federal agencies who have labored, sometimes in subterranean locales, over five months to qualify the school for grants.
Some days, working together means making sure no one is actually lost on the job.
"After walking through sections of the steam tunnels doing damage assessments, we had to take a head-count when we finished to make sure everyone was accounted for," said David Fila, the FEMA public assistance project coordinator for the university.
Fila refers to the university's power plant that serves as the primary source of heating for most campus buildings, including the hospitals and clinics. The plant pipes steam through an underground tunnel system 5.7 miles long. This summer's floods filled 1.5 miles of tunnel and caused significant damage to pipe insulation, fan motors, ductwork, lighting and electrical devises. Floodwaters inundated the plant itself with over 23 feet of water, causing the plant to shut down; temporary machinery replaced the plant's functions until its repair.
Fila notes the university ensured that reviews of damage to the power plant and tunnels, as well other damaged facilities on campus, happened quickly. "It's all been a team effort. The university has been extremely responsive in giving access to the FEMA team of project specialists and the damage assessment crews."
Such cooperation has increased the pace of recovery. "The university has made sure that the employees with expertise and site knowledge, such as those in the Facilities Management Department, were available to answer the questions that allow us to determine eligible costs for reimbursement."
Fila also credits the involvement of Donna Pearcy of the university's Office of Risk Management for helping to manage a process with multiple partners that has successfully led the university to receive more than $83 million in state and federal aid to date. Additional funding is also likely to be granted to the university.
"Multiple offices of the university and federal and state partners began the recovery process with the firm intention of working collaboratively to help one another succeed with our various responsibilities," said Pearcy.
"The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and FEMA understand the urgency the university faces in meeting critical academic deadlines," continued Pearcy. "We have tailored a process to maximize the quick submission of all critical documentation for funding while making sure the pace of repair work steadily continues."
Thus far, the collaboration between the university and FEMA has been successful. In addition to more than $83 million granted to the University of Iowa, classes have continued for students during the recovery work with little interruption. The university is also looking forward to assessing possibilities for mitigation efforts to reduce the impact of future disasters. The university's power plant opened October 28 - just in time for Old Man Winter's approach.
From damage specialists in hardhats navigating through steam tunnels to the administrators working to secure funding for repairs, those who use the university's services have many people to thank for the warmth they're feeling.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-Dec-2008 22:16:40