You can find the full FEMA applicant's guide here. In the s, FEMA was made a cabinet-level agency, and the all-hazards aim of the agency was very much in line with overall homeland security functions. However, the terrorist attacks exposed the need for a more comprehensive agency that would also coordinate border security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
FEMA is divided into ten regional offices. These offices work with the states within their region to coordinate disaster mitigation and response. FEMA employs about 2, people full-time nationwide, with a reserve of 4, more who remain on standby until a disaster strikes.
This person is recommended by FEMA and appointed by the president. A Disaster Field Office is set up near the scene of the disaster -- from there, the FCO coordinates relief efforts and works to maintain a flow of information to rescue personnel and political leaders.
Federal and state groups work together to provide the necessary relief efforts. Federal disaster relief is divided into 12 Emergency Support Functions ESF , each provided by a different agency or agencies. The 12 ESFs are:. Collects, analyzes and disseminates critical information to facilitate the overall federal response and recovery operations.
Manages and coordinates food, shelter and first aid for victims; provides bulk distribution of relief supplies; operates a system to assist family reunification. Provides equipment, materials, supplies and personnel to federal entities during response operations. Locates, extricates and provides initial medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures.
Identifies food needs; ensures that food gets to areas affected by disaster. Ensures that Federal assets are deployed to the field during incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response. For all the good it does, FEMA is not perfect. There have been problems in the past with FEMA disaster response, and those problems have become more obvious in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Critics say that one of FEMA's biggest problems is bureaucracy.
There are many administrative officials, overlapping state and federal agencies and political agendas. This seems ironic, FEMA was originally formed to eliminate the redundancies and inefficiencies of past disaster management efforts.
The agency can act very quickly -- sometimes the president can make a disaster declaration within hours. However, requests have also been denied or sent back because the right forms were not filled out properly, or a signature was missing.
Sometimes officials sent requests back through the mail, delaying FEMA's disaster response by days. Some of the problems may stem from recent changes in FEMA's organization, related to the agency's absorption into the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to this change, state and federal officials would meet, plan and react to disasters together. The Bush administration has worked to shift responsibility for disaster management from federal agencies to state and local agencies. The government has drastically cut funding for FEMA as well.
FEMA was criticized for poor response times to disasters prior to the Bush administration, such as Hurricane Andrew in and Hurricane Hugo in Some critics think that the quality of leadership within the agency continues to factor into its uneven response record.
Presidents have appointed friends to high FEMA positions, but many of these appointees had little to no experience in disaster management. President George W. FEMA can't go into action unless the president declares a major disaster. When a disaster happens, the process usually works like this:.
The post-Katrina finger pointing makes it difficult to see who was really to blame for the slow and inadequate response to the Gulf Coast. Brown resigned not long afterwards. Later it was revealed that he planned to resign before Katrina hit, which Senator Susan M.
Collins says "may explain in part his curious detachment during the Katrina catastrophe" [ ref ]. Ultimately, no agency is free from blame. Federal budget cuts left New Orleans vulnerable to a storm that everyone knew may hit someday.
Local officials could have done more to help evacuate people who were unable to get out themselves, such as the elderly, the sick and the poor. Insurance policies don't always offer coverage as extensive as applicants would like. And some policies, such as earthquake insurance in California, come with high deductibles. That's where FEMA's program helps. Federal programs and private insurance "work together to help you get back on your feet," Moraga says.
Not everyone praises federal disaster assistance. Having all documents relevant to your claim ready—such as receipts, photos, estimates, etc. Your adjuster can also help guide you by explaining what you will need to provide. A proof of loss is your sworn statement about the amount of money you are claiming and usually includes supporting documentation. Your insurance adjuster may provide the proof of loss form and help you complete it if necessary.
You will need this to get paid. You must provide your signed proof of loss within 60 days. In exceptional circumstances, FEMA may allow for extensions, but you should be sure and verify your deadline for providing your proof of loss with your adjuster and insurance company.
Below are the four types of costs covered by FEMA:. If you do not have the means to provide for your temporary housing, you may qualify for the FEMA Assistance to Individuals and Households program. During disaster situations, it's important to separate facts from rumors. One such rumor is that FEMA will pay hotel costs for those who have evacuated if you simply call their contact number. However, this is not true. FEMA may cover those who are eligible and have correctly applied for assistance, but you should not book a hotel and automatically assume FEMA will pay for it.
Renters may apply for a grant from FEMA to replace damaged personal contents if not insured by their primary insurance coverage and may also qualify for a Small Business Administration SBA disaster loan. The first step in getting paid is collecting all the necessary documentation needed for your proof of loss. Once your proof of loss is signed and provided to the adjuster, they can get started on the claim payment process.
It may take a while for you to get paid on a FEMA claim, but you can request an advance or partial payment if needed. The claim payment is based on your actual loss and damage declared in your proof of loss. The sooner you submit proof of loss, the faster you receive payments. If you discover additional damage after you submit your proof of loss, you should contact your adjuster and insurance company to request additional payments by submitting another proof of loss within the day limit.
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid, and the amount given is not taxable. The total that you receive is what FEMA deems is essential and probably won't cover all of the losses after a disaster. The money granted is meant to serve as a starting point to get you back on your feet. If your home recently suffered damage from a disaster, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Suppose your primary residence incurred damages in an area that has since been declared a disaster area by the federal government and is now uninhabitable.
In that case, you most likely are eligible for a FEMA grant. It's important to note that you must file a claim with your insurance first. If you still don't receive the funds necessary, then consider applying for the program.
0コメント