This section of the site contains information on FEMA Region 9 recovery division.
Region 9: Recovery Division
Region IX serves the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada, including the Tribal Nations within those borders, as well as the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Region IX personnel also assist the rest of the nation by providing support to other parts of the country as needed.
The Recovery Division oversees several program areas including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, the National Disaster Recovery Framework, and Environmental & Historical Preservation. These programs are intended to assist individuals and communities affected by presidentially declared disasters to rebuild, recover, and protect against future hazards.
Declarations
Emergency Management Program Specialist: Alan Ball
The Declaration Process
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act provides the legal authority for a State Governor or a Tribal Chief Executive to seek a Presidential declaration by submitting a written request to the President through the FEMA regional office. In the request, the Governor or Chief Executive certifies that the combined local, county, state and tribal resources are insufficient to respond and that the situation is beyond their recovery capabilities. Following a FEMA regional and national office review of the request and the findings of the preliminary damage assessment, FEMA provides the President an analysis of the situation and a recommended course of action.
For additional information see the FEMA Declarations page:
Individual Assistance Branch
Individual Assistance
The Individual Assistance (IA) Branch administers the Federal programs that assist eligible individuals and households who have been affected by a presidentially declared disaster. FEMA’s IA programs may not make the individual or household whole, but are designed to assist with basic housing needs and necessary expenses. FEMA assistance cannot duplicate other disaster assistance such as voluntary agency assistance, insurance, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans or other Federal, State or local programs. IA programs include Individual and Households Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, and Disaster Case Management.
Individuals and Households Program
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance or direct services to eligible individuals, who have necessary expenses and serious needs as a result of a disaster.
Housing Assistance
Housing Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to return to their damaged or inaccessible dwellings as a result of a disaster.
Crisis Counseling
FEMA coordinates with State government agencies to implement the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) as a supplemental assistance program available to the States and Territories. The mission of CCP is to assist individuals and communities in emotional and mental recovery from the effects of natural and human-caused disasters.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
The purpose of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is to provide unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for state unemployment insurance (UI).
Disaster Legal Services
The purpose of Disaster Legal Services (DLS) is to provide legal assistance to low‐income individuals who are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster‐related needs.
Disaster Case Management
DCM provides the survivor with a single point of contact to facilitate access to a broad range of resources.
Additional Links on Individual Assistance Programs and Partners:
Infrastructure Branch (Public Assistance)
Infrastructure Branch Chief: Samuel Ronveaux
Public Assistance Grant Program
The mission of FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program is to provide assistance to State, Tribal and local governments, and certain types of Private Non-Profit (PNP) organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. Through the PA Program, FEMA provides supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain PNPs.
Fire Management Assistance Grant Program
The Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program is available to State, Tribal and local governments for the mitigation, management, and control of fires on forests or grasslands, where such destruction would constitute a major disaster.
Additional Links on Infrastructure (Public Assistance) Programs:
Public Assistance Grant Program Process - Step by step description of the PA grant life cycle
Appeal database, equipment rates, cost estimating format, performance goals, funding trends, and other resources
Policy and Guidance - FEMA Publications and the 9500 policies that govern the way Public Assistance is administered.
National Disaster Recovery Framework
The National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) was signed in September, 2011 and is designed to maximize support for disaster-impacted States, Tribes and local jurisdictions as they recover from disasters through a flexible, scalable, and more inclusive structure. The NDRF is designed to enable disaster recovery coordinators and managers to operate in a unified and collaborative manner as they work to restore quality of life, rebuild infrastructure, and revitalize economic and environmental vitality in the aftermath of disasters. The ultimate goal is to empower communities to make timely decisions and rebuild in ways that reduce disaster vulnerability and further a sustainable future.
Resources:
Environmental & Historical Preservation
Deputy Regional Environmental Officer: Morgan Griffin
To ensure proper stewardship of historic properties and the environment, more than 30 Federal regulations, directives, and legal mandates—in addition to a number of state, territory, tribal, and local laws and codes—have been established to protect these resources. FEMA’s Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) team supports efforts to ensure that recovery projects comply with these requirements.
For more information on FEMA’s Office of Environmental and Historic Preservation, including links to relevant laws and other requirements: