The Disaster Process and Disaster Aid Programs
Response and Recovery
First Response to a disaster is the job of local government's emergency services with help from nearby municipalities, the state and volunteer agencies. In a catastrophic disaster, and if the governor requests, federal resources can be mobilized through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for search and rescue, electrical power, food, water, shelter and other basic human needs.
It is the long-term Recovery phase of disaster which places the
most severe financial strain on a local or state government. Damage to
public facilities and infrastructure, often not insured, can overwhelm
even a large city.
A governor's request for a major disaster declaration could mean an
infusion of federal funds, but the governor must also commit significant
state funds and resources for recovery efforts.
A Major Disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake, flood,
tornado or major fire which the President determines warrants supplemental
federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments
can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the President's Disaster
Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of other
participating federal agencies.
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration puts into motion long-term
federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs,
and designed to help disaster victims, businesses and public entities.
An Emergency Declaration is more limited in scope and without
the long-term federal recovery programs of a Major Disaster Declaration.
Generally, federal assistance and funding are provided to meet a specific
emergency need or to help prevent a major disaster from occurring.
The Major Disaster Process
A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps:
- Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities
and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance;
- The State Responds with state resources, such as the National
Guard and state agencies;
- Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer
organizations determines losses and recovery needs;
- A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor,
based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds
and resources to the long-term recovery;
- FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White
House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability
to recover;
- The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor
it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or
several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.
Disaster Aid Programs
There are two major categories of disaster aid:
Individual Assistance - for damage to residences and businesses
or personal property losses, and
Public Assistance - for repair of infrastructure, public facilities
and debris removal.
Individual Assistance
Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up
a central field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free
telephone number is published for use by affected residents and business
owners in registering for assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are
opened where disaster victims can meet with program representatives and
obtain information about available aid and the recovery process.
Disaster aid to individuals generally falls into the following categories:
Disaster Housing may be available for up to 18 months, using local resources, for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
Disaster Grants, are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster
for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or
replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal
property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and
economic injury.
Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related
unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social
Security and Veteran's benefits. Other state or local help may also
be available.
Assistance Process -- After the application is taken, the damaged
property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant
will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications
require more information and approval may take several weeks after application.
The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following
the President's major disaster declaration.
Audits are done later to ensure that aid went to only those who were
eligible and that disaster aid funds were used only for their intended
purposes. These federal program funds cannot duplicate assistance provided
by other sources such as insurance.
After a major disaster, FEMA tries to notify all disaster victims
about the available aid programs and urge them to apply. The news media
are encouraged to visit a Disaster Recovery Center, meet with disaster officials,
and help publicize the disaster aid programs and the toll-free teleregistration
number.
Public Assistance
Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of
the costs of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Generally,
public assistance programs pay for 75 per cent of the approved project
costs. Public Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective
measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans
needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for
public schools.
Hazard Mitigation
Disaster victims and public entities are encouraged to avoid the life
and property risks of future disasters. Examples include the elevation
or relocation of chronically flood-damaged homes away from flood hazard
areas, retrofitting buildings to make them resistant to earthquakes or
strong winds, and adoption and enforcement of adequate codes and standards
by local, state and federal government. FEMA encourages and helps fund
damage mitigation measures when repairing disaster damaged structures.
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