DISASTER RECOVERY

I.	PURPOSE
	This annex presents a system for undertaking recovery from disaster, and describes the processes for obtaining Federal disaster assistance if a Presidential disaster declaration is received.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	Recovery refers to those measures undertaken by a community following a disaster to return systems to normal or improved levels. Citizens generally initiate recovery by "picking up the pieces" and trying to resume the activities that make up community life; however, effective recovery consists of a complex array of interdependent and coordinated actions. These actions are undertaken at several levels (individual, organizational, community, national) over an extended period of time.
		2.	A properly managed recovery program will allow the prompt restoration of essential services, the reconstruction of damaged property, and the resumption of traditional lifestyles.
		3.	Recovery from a significant disaster will be managed in two identifiable phases:
			a.	*Short Term Recovery Phase*
				Emergency reaction phase beginning with the implementation of emergency plans. Actions under this phase will include:
				(1)	Initial emergency response to disaster (i.e., fire / rescue, law enforcement, EMS operations, mass care).
				(2)	Initial impact assessment (general damages).
				(3)	Emergency debris removal.
				(4)	Restoration of essential services.
				(5)	Security of damaged / evacuated areas.
				(6)	Management / distribution of donated goods.
				(7)	Preliminary damage assessment (rough costs).
			b.	Long Term Recovery Phase
				Actions under this phase will include:
				(1)	Completion of damage assessment (detailed damage estimates compiled).
				(2)	Completion of debris removal.
				(3)	Request for Disaster Declaration / assistance.
				(4)	Restoration of damaged essential facilities.
				(5)	Repair / rebuilding of damaged public and private buildings and facilities.
				(6)	Repair / rebuilding of roadways and bridges.
				(7)	Repair / rebuilding of private homes and businesses.
				(8)	Hazard mitigation projects.
				(9)	Eventual delivery of any Federal disaster programs, subsequent to declarations.
		4.	A request from the Governor to the President of the United States for a Presidential Declaration will be based on the magnitude and severity of the situation and the inability of the County to recover without assistance.
		5.	The President's Disaster Relief Program is designed to supplement the efforts and available resources of State and local governments, voluntary relief organizations, and other forms of assistance such as insurance. The President's declaration of a major disaster or emergency authorizes Federal assistance under the Stafford Act and triggers other Federal disaster relief programs.
		6.	A full Presidential Declaration of Disaster includes all of the following emergency assistance programs:
			a.	Public Assistance Programs (PA).
			b.	Individual Assistance Programs (IA).
			c.	Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance.
			d.	Hazard Mitigation Programs.
		7.	In lieu of a full Presidential Declaration, Federal assistance can also be delivered through a partial Declaration, and any combination of the following:
			a.	Search and Rescue Assistance.
			b.	Fire Suppression Assistance.
			c.	Health and Welfare measures.
			d.	Emergency Conservation Program.
			e.	Emergency Loans for Agriculture.
			f.	Disaster Loans for Homeowners and Businesses.
			g.	Repairs to Federal Aid System Roads.
			h.	Tax Refunds / IRS Assistance to victims.
			i.	Voluntary Agency Assistance via Red Cross.
			j.	Department of Defense Predeclaration Emergency.
			k.	Assistance (on scene FEMA response) via the Stafford Act.
		8.	The President may declare an emergency in the absence of a Governor's request, when the emergency involves a subject area for which the Federal Government exercises exclusive or pre-eminent responsibility and authority.
		9.	Close cooperation among the agents of local, State, and Federal government will be essential in expediting assistance to the County after any Presidential Declaration.
		10.	The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the lead Federal agency for recovery operations; Washington County is in FEMA Region IV. The NC Division of Emergency Management will assume the role of lead state agency.
		11.	As potential applicants for Public Assistance, local governments and private non-profit agencies must thoroughly document disaster-related expenses from the onset of an emergency / disaster. The need for each and every department / agency to thoroughly document any disaster related expenses cannot be overemphasized if reimbursement is to occur. Examples include: debris removal expenses (how many cubic yards of debris?), salaries / overtime costs, fuel costs, etc. Without documentation, expenses will not be reimbursed.
		12.	Businesses which intend to apply for Small Business Administration Disaster Loans, etc. will need thorough documentation of the history of the business and the effect of the disaster on the business.
		13.	Washington County will automatically become eligible for Federal assistance if a county contiguous to Washington County receives a declaration for emergency Federal assistance.
		14.	Hazard Mitigation Grants will be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after a Presidential Declaration; the grant total will be based on the amount of PA funds provided to PA applicants.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	A major disaster will have a significant long-term economic impact on the area; a general understanding of the recovery process and assistance available will be beneficial to officials of both counties.
		2.	Unsolicited resources and donated goods can be expected from outside the area of impact. Washington County must be prepared to manage this influx of resources and goods as part of the recovery effort (See Donated Goods annex ).
		3.	Space will be available for the operation of one or more Disaster Application Centers (DAC) in each County following a Presidential Declaration of Disaster.
		4.	A Disaster Field Office (DFO) will be set up in North Carolina by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
		5.	The damage assessment process will identify most local individuals with unmet needs.
		6.	A minimum loss of 30% of one of the County's major crops will qualify the County's agribusiness community for USDA Disaster Assistance; however, the loss must be incurred as a result of natural disaster.
		7.	The State's share of funds provided for Public Assistance will usually be 25%, supplementing the mandated Federal share of 75%; however, the magnitude of the disaster may result in alteration of this formula.
		8.	Mitigation has become increasingly important to local officials who must bear the agony of loss of life and property when disaster strikes.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	General
		1.	Responsibility for coordination and support of the recovery effort lies with local government.
		2.	Recovery operations will initially be coordinated from the Emergency Operations Center.
		3.	Accurate emergency logs and expenditure records will be kept from the onset of the disaster by each local government agency / organization. Standardized forms have been developed for local government; these forms will be available through the County / City Finance Offices.
		4.	The President may authorize the utilization of any Federal equipment, personnel and other resources.
		5.	The Governor may request a Presidential Declaration or specific Federal Agency declarations, i.e., Small Business Administration, Department of Agriculture, Corps of Engineers, etc., to augment state / local / private disaster relief efforts.
		6.	There exists in each County a United States Department of Agriculture County Emergency Board responsible for providing leadership and coordination for all USDA emergency programs at the county level. Guidance, direction, and assistance on emergency programs will be provided by the USDA State Emergency Board.
		7.	A Presidential Declaration of Disaster for Washington County will initiate the following series of events:
			a.	A Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) will be appointed by the President to coordinate the federal activities in the disaster county.
			b.	A State Coordinating Officer (SCO) and Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR) will be appointed by the Governor to coordinate state recovery activities.
			c.	A Disaster Field Office (DFO) will be established within the state (central to the damaged areas) from which the disaster assistance programs will be administered.
			d.	Disaster Application Centers (DACs) will be established in the County to accommodate persons needing Individual Assistance.
			e.	An Applicants' Briefing will be held to explain Public Assistance eligibility criteria to officials of the county, cities, and private nonprofit organizations. The Emergency Management Coordinator will assist with identification and notification of potential applicants.
			f.	Each eligible entity will submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) within thirty days of the Declaration.
		8.	A Presidential Declaration of Disaster may authorize two basic types of disaster relief assistance:
			a.	Individual Assistance (IA) - supplementary Federal assistance provided under the Stafford Act to individuals and families adversely affected by a major disaster or an emergency. Such assistance may be provided directly by the Federal Government or through State or local governments or disaster relief organizations.
				Individual Assistance will consist of any or all of the following:
				(1)	Temporary housing (100% federal dollars).
				(2)	Individual and family grants (IF) [75% federal, 25% state / local funds].
				(3)	Disaster unemployment assistance.
				(4)	Disaster loans to individuals, businesses and farmers.
				(5)	Agricultural assistance / field debris.
				(6)	Legal services to low-income families and individuals.
				(7)	Consumer counseling and assistance in obtaining insurance benefits.
				(8)	Cora Brown Fund.
				(9)	Veterans' assistance.
				(10)	Casualty loss tax assistance.
			b.	Public Assistance (PA) - supplementary Federal assistance provided under the Stafford Act to State and local governments or certain private, nonprofit organizations other than assistance for the direct benefit of individuals and families.
				Categories of Public Assistance include:
				(1)	Debris removal.
				(2)	Emergency protective measures.
				(3)	Permanent work to repair, restore or replace road systems, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, public recreational facilities, etc.
		9.	Following the Public Assistance Applicant's Briefings, Damage Survey teams will be dispatched from the DFO to inspect every damaged site and prepare Damage Survey Reports (DSR) for each applicant. The DSR will provide a recommended scope of work and give estimated costs in accordance with FEMA eligibility criteria. The criteria allow repairs or restoration of facilities to their predisaster condition in accordance with applicable codes, specifications and standards.
	B.	Specific
		1.	A Public Assistance Damage Survey Team will be comprised of the following:
			a.	A Federal representative who will serve as the DSR team leader.
			b.	A State representative.
			c.	Local applicant's representative familiar with the disaster activity or damage.
		2.	The Emergency Management Coordinator will take the lead in determining mitigation projects needed following a disaster, and make applications for available mitigation grants.
		3.	Following any major emergency or disaster event, a critique will be held to evaluate the jurisdiction's response to the event. A critique will include the following issues related specifically to recovery:
			a.	Mitigation of potential problems through use of Hazard Mitigation Grants.
			b.	Plan Revision based on lessons learned.
			c.	Status of unmet individual / family needs.
			d.	Management of Donated Goods.
			e.	Interagency cooperation.
			f.	Damage Survey Report process / documentation.
			g.	Recovery training needed.
		4.	The Consolidated Farm Services Agency will be the lead agency for agricultural disasters under an agency declaration. For natural disasters where loss is confined to agriculture, the following actions will occur:
			a.	Damage assessment.
			b.	USDA County Emergency Board meeting.
			c.	Submission of a USDA Flash Situation Report to Consolidated Farm Services Area Office.
			d.	USDA State Emergency Board meeting.
			e.	Exchange of information on available programs / actions and other counties affected.
			f.	State Review of damage assessments reports.
			g.	Decision made by State Board on concurring and not concurring with information in the damage assessment reports.
			h.	Forwarding of reports to Rural Development national headquarters to support a request for designation of a county(ies) for FHA Emergency Loans.