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Protecting Life, Property and Your Federal Reimbursement
As the economy slowly recovers, local jurisdictions find their tax bases shrinking, budgets tightening and projects postponed. Compounding the economic situation, disasters can devastate budgets as debris removal alone oftentimes comprises 60-70% of total recovery costs. The federal government faces similar challenges leaving FEMA strapped for funding and unable to expeditiously help state and local governments. How can departments around the country systematically prepare for and mitigate the impact of a disaster on their bottom-lines?
In 2009, as the recession deepened, severe flooding demolished bridges and clogged flood control areas in Geneva County, Alabama. With no debris plan, Geneva County lacked the financial and operational resources for recovery. Even today, the County suffers as bridges remain impassable and federal reimbursement is delayed.
While Geneva residents struggled with alternative transportation routes and the budget busted, Justin Barfield, County Engineer, realized the need to plan for future disaster events. After contracting with GenCon Associates and Byrd Brothers Emergency Services, they collaborated to create a comprehensive Disaster Debris Management Plan with three goals: (1) To protect County lives and improved property; (2) To maximize federal and state reimbursement; and (3) To receive reimbursement more rapidly.
Having completed 174 federally reimbursed disaster projects, Byrd Brothers retains both the technical expertise and experience to fully prepare for and respond to disaster events nationwide. With the help of GenCon and under the guidance of Mr. Barfield, Byrd Brothers developed a tailored Disaster Debris Management Plan emphasizing rapid and efficient response and insuring transparency throughout the recovery. The Plan included:
• Assessing the County’s risk
• Establishing roles and responsibilities of County departments and external agencies
• Indentifying County debris zones, immediate needs facilities, emergency routes and disposal locations
• Outlining operational plans
• Developing a Public Information Strategy
• Implementing a Cost Tracking and Recordkeeping Plan
Armed with the Plan, Mr. Barfield maintains the tools to protect County lives and property while safeguarding his budget from future disasters.
The Plan streamlines and improves reimbursement from State Emergency Management and FEMA Immediate Needs Funding by eliminating burdensome paperwork. By identifying various alternative grant programs based on disaster outcomes, the Plan complies with the FEMA Pilot Program (in Congress for approval) for additional 5% cost-savings, regular-time paid, and a waiver of the Duplication of Benefits. Lastly, Byrd Brothers identified additional County cost saving measures including reduced tipping fees, landfill capacity utilization, and recycling plans. These significant cost-savings provide breathing room to a strapped County budget.
What did this cost Mr. Barfield? Nothing. The creation and implementation of a Disaster Debris Management Plan is an integral part of a comprehensive relief and recovery. Conversely, what are the future savings to Mr. Barfield’s? Significant. By proactively addressing disaster debris management, Mr. Barfield systematically mitigated risk to residents, property and his budget while achieving significant cost savings. As economic and disaster-related issues impact local jurisdictions around the country, Byrd Brothers Emergency Services offers the PREP Model – Prepare, Respond, Execute and Procure – to empower local leaders and emergency managers with the tools and knowledge to protect lives and property, maximize state and federal reimbursement, and receive that reimbursement more rapidly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karl Dix is Vice President and FEMA Compliance Director of Byrd Brothers Emergency Services LLC and a candidate for a MS in Threat and Response Management at the University of Chicago. Karl actively attends to all Byrd Brothers’ pre-event contracts by preparing clients with a Client-specific Disaster Debris Management Plan. For more information, please visit www.byrdbrothers.com or contact Karl Dix at 252.293.4488.
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