WIND STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC

FIRSTLINK (614) 221-2255
American Red Cross of Greater Columbus http://columbus.redcross.org/
Salvation Army (614) 221-6562

FOR JURISDICTIONS, SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE NON-PROFITS

FCEM&HS held the Franklin County Applicants Briefing November 5th at Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio in the Veridian Room. If you missed the deadlines for this briefing but would like your agency to receive notices of future declarations, email Ms. Jamie Stout at jlstout@franklincountyohio.gov for more information. Read below to find out if your agency would have qualified.

What?

Public Assistance Applicant briefing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Emergency Management Agency and Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

Why?

Attend this meeting in order to apply for the federal assistance made available by the Public Assistance Grant program for damages incurred as a result of the September 14th windstorm.

Who?

Local governments, private-non-profits (PNP’s), schools (public, private and charter) Please RSVP for this briefing to Jamie Stout at jlstout@franklincountyohio.gov.

Qualifying PNPs are those that provide education, medical, custodial care, emergency, utility, certain irrigation facilities, and other essential governmental services. Essential governmental services are:

museums;
performing arts facilities;
community arts centers;
zoos;
community centers;
libraries;
homeless shelters;
rehabilitation facilities;
senior citizen centers;
shelter workshops; and
health and safety services of a governmental nature, such as:

low-income housing;
alcohol and drug treatment centers;
residences and other facilities offering programs for battered spouses;
facilities offering food programs for the needy; and
daycare centers for children or those individuals with special needs (such as those with Alzheimer's disease, autism, and muscular dystrophy).

For more information on public assistance program eligibility please see FEMA’s website at:

http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/pag07_2.shtm#Applicant

Please keep these things in mind:

1. Any local government, school, university and Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) who may have had costs associated with the September 14, 2008 high wind event needs to attend to determine eligibility for reimbursement.

2. If possible, please have your fiscal personnel present. You may bring others as well, however the Public Assistance Program has very specific funding and audit procedures and it is imperative to have all individuals responsible for these matters on hand.

3. The briefings will address all eligible categories of work (debris removal, emergency protective measures, road systems, water control facilities, buildings/equipment, utilities, and parks and recreation). These are all available due to the “major” declaration we received from the federal government.

FEMA will likely conduct a short Kick-off meeting following the Applicants Briefing portion of the meeting. The initial meeting between an applicant, the Applicant Liaison, and the Public Assistance Coordinator. At this working session, the applicant provides a list of damages and receives comprehensive information about the Public Assistance Program and detailed guidance for their specific circumstances.

You must have $1,000 in costs in order to be eligible for assistance. If you have any questions regarding costs and eligibility they will be answered at the applicant’s briefing on November 5th.

The Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment Meeting was held on October 7th at the Columbus Police Academy. Thank you to all who attended and helped to make it a success. The damages to Franklin County alone represented over 6.7 million dollars!!

The next step in the process is for the State and FEMA to compile the information gathered from all of the Counties and allow the Governor to make a determination as to what kind of declaration is appropriate for which to petition the President.

We will keep you updated on the status of the declaration as information becomes available.

Mutual Aid

Jurisdictions that have assisted other communities with debris removal must complete a mutual-aid agreement and a letter requesting mutual aid in order to receive reimbursement. To obtain a sample copy please call or email Jamie Stout.

Insurance

For information on insurance deductibles, self-insurance, and other insurance related issues see FEMA’s website:

http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9580_3.shtm

Documenting Costs

Here are the latest forms for tracking expenses related to the wind event.

(Here is the link to the excel spread sheet- They are called the FEMA forms.)

http://www.ema.ohio.gov/Documents/DRB/Force_Account_and_Project_Worksheet_Forms.xls

FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates

Debris Information:

If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Stout or Matthew Keefe at (614) 794-0213.

PRESS RELEASES

Press releases are available by clicking the link in the main menu at the top of the screen.

The Public Assistance Pilot Program through FEMA that allows applicants to claim regular and overtime labor associated with debris removal is set to expire on December 31, 2008. That means that any project funded after December 31 will not include reimbursement of regular time labor. Private non profit organizations are not eligible under the FEMA PA Pilot Program regardless of this December deadline.

Understanding the December 31 deadline, please begin documenting debris removal costs with this deadline in mind. Please see the Schedule of Equipment Rates, blank force account forms, including the fringe benefits worksheet and instructions for completing the forms. Please note below additional items of importance:

-- Force Account Forms - At this time, you will not have available the DR #, FIPS #, Project Ref # or PW #. These will get assigned by FEMA once you are an official applicant of the program provided we are funded. You will apply at the meeting on November 5th.

The State has said that if you have spreadsheets that clearly define who, what, when and where for the work was completed, you do not have to transfer your information to the FEMA forms.

-- Labor - You must show labor hours worked by all employees (hourly, salaried, trustees, part-time, temporary, etc.). You should have available for FEMA time cards and overtime/comp time policies. FEMA will not need copies of time cards.

-- Schedule of Equipment Rates - Remember that these rates include fuel, oil and maintenance for equipment you own. These items do not need to be claimed separately. If a jurisdiction operated a piece of equipment that is not listed, FEMA will work with you to determine a rate.

-- Materials - You should list all materials/supplies purchased as a result of debris removal activities. FEMA will determine eligibility of these items.

-- Rented equipment - You should list all rented equipment.

-- Contract work - You should list all contract work. FEMA may want copies of backup documentation to support the contract work (signed contracts, invoices, proof of payment, etc).

-- Direct Administrative Costs - You are also eligible to claim administrative costs directly related to the debris operations. These costs would be incorporated into the debris project. Eligible costs include labor, equipment, materials to gather the assessment information, document the debris removal activities, etc and can also be documented using the FEMA forms.

-- $1,000 minimum - You must have at least $1,000 for the debris removal activities (actual debris removal activities and the direct administrative costs combined) for FEMA to approve a debris removal project.

-- Work to be completed - FEMA will assist you in estimating the work to be completed.

FORMS

Public Assistance Form

Force Account Labor Summary Record Instructions

Schedule of Equipment Rates

Fringe Benefits (updates may be required to open this OEMA form-please be patient)

Updated 1/7/2009

WIND STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION

Applicants Briefing Info

Public Assistance Pilot Program Deadline