Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Simplifying Recovery and Reducing Disaster Costs

Deciding to declare IA is more of an art then a science and usually requires a time consuming PDA. Why not just declare IA every time that we declare PA. If there are just a few damaged residences then they can just go through the normal registration process and if there are many then we would have declared IA anyway. At a minimum a study should be conducted to look at PA only declarations to see if an IA declaration... more »

The traditional DSA function of a disaster response should be restructured to provide IHP/IA training to all DSA staff. With modern technology and communication devices, registration intake has become easy for a large portion of our citizens. The real demand on disaster is getting inquiries and updates done. How about the agency just roll the DSA program and into the IA cadre program and provide in-depth training... more »

It takes a great deal of time to get through to Spanish speaking interpreters, plus there is the cost. Why not establish an interpreter center in Puerto Rico and put Puerto Ricans to work - for FEMA - as Spanish translators at a lower cost? This would supply jobs and save money overall. It would give FEMA a leadership role in innovative overtures.

We've all seen the heartbreaking videos of the residents from this small town crossing a swiftly flowing river via a hand thrown cable in order to access potable water, medicines, and food items... sometimes even to carry a sick relative back and forth to the hospital on their backs. Has anyone suggested to the Command Staff there, or the National Guard units, to deploy a military style floating bridge, or pontoon bridge,... more »

DRC's can be virtual in most cases. Using a skype type system the applicant is talking to a person who can provide guidance without all the travel expense. FEMA could place computers at libraries or provide the web site and people could do it from home whenever its convenient for them. In those cases when a physical location is deemed necessary we may only need one as we can use the virtual system to supplement the effort... more »

TO expdite PR's electric infrastructure . there are 4 organization which can act efficentlyin the recoveryof electricity;(to save space please google those presented as follows :1.RecX 2.Grid Assurance 3.Windmill and battery storage manufactuers 4.AHCUSA . The first three ivvolve replacing the grid with spare parts and he last one relates to reparing and replacing poles and transmission lines.All four are with the... more »

Why not ask current CORE if they would be willing to relocate/relocate to the long term recovery offices that will most likely be in Florida and the islands PR at this time. This would allow trained resources to be working in the front end in an effort to get it right from the beginning. Not to mention it would also allow those new hired to have a seasoned person to mentor and assist them. And most of all it will allow... more »

Here is an opportunity for improving efficiency. If a survivor mistakenly inputs the income amount, the correct income amount can not then be changed to a lower amount and the survivor has to apply for an SBA loan. An example of why this should be evaluated: a survivor lost power and internet and due to her work schedule, her mother submitted her registration on her behalf. The mother entered the income incorrectly,... more »

We have recently experienced multiple hurricanes that have devastated US Territories and States. The damage to the electrical grid further injures the population as it may result in issues with the production and distribution of fresh water, hinders communications, immobilizes many fuel and flood water pumps and endangers patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Although most of the damage to our electrical system may... more »

Why does everyone have to have there own car when deployed? Speaking as someone who works in a DRC, once teams are put together and situated, why not turn in half the cars and start carpooling? A few pros and cons:

Pros:

Saves a lot of money

More cars available during big disasters

Team bonding

Cons:

You don't get your points

Not everyone will be pleased

At Distribution Centers one should not have to work any longer than 12 hours to complete our work. Working for 15 + hours a day, day after day adversely affects ones performance and health. I suggest that FEMA work evaluate only 12 hour days so ones performance and health are not affected. Getting off at 10 p.m. and having to be back at work at 7 a.m. is not good policy when done over and over. I've worked at Staging... more »

Large scale disasters need a lot of long term support. Why not create a list of CORE NTE 2 years positions that could be filled immediately; or within a month, when large disasters occur?. With all the disasters currently going on, this would have been the perfect time to hire some temporary CORE individuals. The current disasters out there will need help for years to come. Why not train a select group of Reservists,... more »

Many of our programs require confirmation of property damages to qualify for assistance, which we usually do in-person to avoid fraud, waste, and abuse of federal resources. When we have back-to-back events, site access can be limited and the disaster workforce required to do these inspections or loss verifications can be stretched to capacity. As a result, disaster survivors and communities may have long wait times... more »

FEMA use of complicated phrases and descriptions to describe the individual assistance and public assistance program] does not follow doctrine or plain. clear, concise messaging. Example, DSAT - Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams, Should be Individual Assistance Team; Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), beside a bad acronym that conflicts with another agency, should be temporary lodging assistance. I could spend... more »

I would like to suggest a later deployment of associates to areas when the DRC's are finally set up and ready to be staffed. This would be a HUGE cost reduction to the projects.(hotels, rentals cars, ME&I) Sometimes, the waiting is what affects a persons psyche. We come here with an attitude of helping survivors but by the time we get to do that(2 weeks later) we are tired, stressed from all the waiting, and not mentally... more »