FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
What type of individual assistance is available in a disaster?
Insurance is the primary source of recovery from disaster.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, available assistance will depend on the scope and magnitude of the disaster. If the event is below federal government disaster declaration thresholds, assistance may be available from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and members of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). If the event is severe enough to warrant a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance by the President, two primary federal programs offer disaster assistance.
- FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides money and direct services to those affected by a major disaster. Requirements must be met to qualify for help from this program.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest loans for damage to property owned by homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations that are not fully covered by insurance. SBA’s Administrator may issue an SBA-only declaration based on at least 25 homes and/or businesses that sustained at least 40% uninsured property damage.
What type of ownership documentation can I provide to support my application for help?
Below are a few types of documents that may be provided to prove ownership:
- Deed or Official record may be the original deed or deed of trust to the property listing you as the legal owner.
- Title number which lists you on the actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the dwelling.
- Mortgage payment book or other mortgage documents (i.e. late payment notice, foreclosure notice) may be used to verify the ownership when your name is listed along with the damaged dwelling address.
- Real property insurance must be for the damage dwelling you are occupying with your name listed as the Insured.
- Tax receipts or a property tax bill showing the damaged dwelling and listing you as the responsible party to the assessments.
What type of occupancy documentation can I provide to support my application for help?
Below are a few types of documents that may be provided to prove Occupancy:
- Utility Bill for the damage dwelling you are occupying with your name (or name of co-applicant). The utility bill should be for one of the major utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water.
- Merchant’s Statement sent to the damage dwelling you are occupying with your name (or name of co-applicant). Merchant statements include: credit card bills, delivery notices, or other first class mail addressed to you and showing the damaged dwelling address.
- Employer’s Statement sent to the damage dwelling you are occupying with your name (or name of co-applicant). An Employer’s statement refers to pay stubs and similar documents sent to you and showing the damaged dwelling address.
- Current Driver’s License showing the address of the damage dwelling.
Where can I get information about flood insurance?
Call a local, licensed casualty or property insurance agent or call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-800-427-4661.
Public Assistance
The Public Assistance Program provides supplemental aid to State, County, and local government agencies and political subdivisions to help them recover from disasters as quickly as possible. Disasters may be natural or man-made such as hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, droughts, wildland fire, flood and explosion. The effects of disasters may be limited to a single community or widespread such as floods or hurricanes affecting several states.
Under what Authority does the Public Assistance program operate?
The Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 26-301 et seq., 35-192 et seq. is the authority for the State to provide emergency assistance to state agencies and local jurisdictions to recover from the damages incurred as a result of a disaster. The Governor may provide state assistance to supplement state agencies’ and political subdivisions’ efforts and capabilities to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster in Arizona.
Title 8. Emergency and Military Affairs, Chapter 2. Department of Emergency and Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management Supp.03-1
details the state’s authority to provide this assistance.
http://www.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_08/8-02.htm
If recovery from the event exceeds the capability of the state, the Governor may request a Federal Declaration through the FEMA Regional Office.
Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 206-Federal Disaster Assistance for Disasters Declared on or after November 23, 1988
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/44cfr206_06.html
Provides rules, policies and procedures issued by FEMA. These regulations re followed by FEMA in the implementation and administration of federal disaster programs. The regulations applicable to the Public Assistance (PA) Program are contained in Subparts G, H, and I. The regulations set forth in Parts 9 (Floodplain Management and Protection of the Wetlands), 10 (Environmental Considerations), 13 (“Common Rule” of Grant Administration), and 14 (Audits) of 44CFR are also applicable to projects funded under the PA Program.
Who is an Eligible Applicant?
State Agencies and Political Subdivisions are eligible under the Public Assistance program. Political Subdivision means any county, incorporated city or town, or school, community college or other tax-levying public improvement district.
If it is a federal declaration certain private non-profits are eligible too.
What is considered an Eligible Facility?
Eligible Facilities are those owned by the State or Political Subdivisions of the state:
- Any flood control, navigation, irrigation, reclamation, public power, sewage treatment and collection, water supply and distribution, watershed development or airport facility.
- Any non-Federal-aid street, road or highway
- Any other public building, structure, or system, including those used for educational, recreational, or cultural purposes.
- Any park
Are Private Non-Profit Facilities eligible?
The Arizona State Statutes preclude assistance to Private Nonprofit Facilities (PNP) under a state disaster declaration. PNPs, however, may be covered by a Federal Disaster Declaration.
Private Nonprofit Facility (PNP) means private nonprofit educational, utility, emergency, medical rehabilitation, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and disabled), other private nonprofit facilities which provide essential services of a governmental nature to the general public, and facilities on Indian reservations as defined by the President.
What is considered Eligible Work?
Eligible Work is based on the following criteria:
- It must be a direct result of the declared disaster.
- Located within the designated disaster area.
- It must be the legal responsibility of the eligible applicant.
Eligible Work is divided into two types of work, emergency and permanent, and then further divided into seven different categories of work:
Emergency Work
- Category A – Debris Removal
- Category B - Emergency Protective Measures
Permanent Work
- Category C – Roads and Bridges
- Category D – Water Control Facilities
- Category E – Buildings and Equipment
- Category F – Utilities
- Category G – Parks, Recreational Facilities & Other Items
Are all Costs Eligible for reimbursement?
Not all costs incurred in responding or recovering from a declared event are considered eligible for reimbursement under the Public Assistance Program. Eligible Costs must be:
- Reasonable and necessary to accomplish the work.
- Compliant with State and local procurement procedures. (During a Federal Declaration of Emergency applicants must also comply with Federal procedures.)
- Reduced by all applicable credits such as insurance proceeds or salvage values.
The eligible costs apply to those direct costs incurred such as labor, equipment, materials or contracts awarded for the performance of eligible work.
DISASTER RESERVIST
Is this fulltime employment?
No, there is no guarantee of how many hours you will work in a year. It is an on-call, part-time and as needed status.
When would I get called into work?
Whenever we have a disaster in Arizona, ADEM may call you to see if you are available to come into work.
Will I be trained?
Yes, you will receive training and mentoring from ADEM staff for the job to be performed.
Will I be compensated?
Yes, you receive an hourly wage without benefits (medical/ leave accrual/retirement). Your taxes are covered.
Will I travel? Is my travel reimbursed?
Yes, you may be asked to travel throughout the State of Arizona and maybe to another state. The travel may be alone or with others. A vehicle will be provided to you by the State. If you travel overnight, you will be compensated for motel and meals as per Arizona Travel policies.
What will I be doing as a Disaster Recovery Reservist?
There are many opportunities of various types of work. The Recovery Section administers two (2) programs: Public Assistance and Individual Assistance
The Public Assistance program works with state and local governments to assist them to rebuild their damaged infrastructure. The Disaster Recovery Reservist works with the applicant to prepare the project application and cost estimates.
The Individual Assistance program works with residents of the state by coordinating the programs available to help them recover from the disaster. The Disaster Recovery Reservist may be sent out into the affected community to make sure the residents’ immediate needs are met, direct them on how to get assistance or coordinate relief programs.
Additionally, we participate in the State emergency operations center, which is the hub of the disaster response activities. The Disaster Recovery Reservist may be asked to answer calls from the public, local governments and press, or assist an ADEM staff member with their duties.
What do we look for from a Disaster Recovery Reservist?
Good customer service skills to work with the disaster applicants. Technical skills in any of a variety of fields are beneficial (engineering, computers, mathematics, utilities, business, etc…). Computer skills are a must.
How do I become a Disaster Recovery Reservist?
All job openings are posted on AZStatejobs.gov
What are the Job Titles/Positions I should be looking for on AZStatejobs.gov?
DISASTER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS
To assist individuals, families, and communities which suffer damages to or losses of personal property and possessions due to disasters. Duties include reading and understanding laws, rules, and regulations related to disaster recovery; performing assessment of damages to homes and businesses; collecting and compiling data; coordinating public and private disaster assistance programs; monitoring temporary housing program; drafting policies and procedures for programs; communicating with survivors, local community members, social service providers and political leaders; preparing reports; and maintaining accurate documentation and financial records.
DISASTER RECOVERY COORDINATOR I
Perform preliminary assessments of disaster related damage to public infrastructure following a disaster to determine if a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation is warranted, and if a Presidential declaration should be requested by the Governor. After a declaration is granted, work with the disaster recovery applicants, political subdivisions, to file the necessary forms and applications. Duties include knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to disaster recovery; prepare project worksheets following established state and federal eligibility criteria; collect and compile data; coordinate public and private disaster assistance programs; draft and review policies and procedures for recovery programs; and perform final inspections of completed work through on-site visits, compare completed work with approved scope of work; review applicant provided cost documentation to insure the claimed costs are consistent with the work performed. Attend training workshops to learn and maintain working knowledge of assessing disaster effects and preparing accurate estimates of costs to repair or replace damaged property and facilities.
DISASTER RECOVERY COORDINATOR II
Perform a wide variety of engineering functions to estimate work involving damaged or destroyed property, facilities due to natural or man-caused disasters. Duties include inspecting infrastructure and property to determined damage cost estimates. Perform preliminary assessments of disaster related damage to public infrastructure following a disaster to determine if a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation is warranted, and if a Presidential declaration should be requested by the Governor. After a declaration is granted, work with the disaster recovery applicants, political subdivisions, to file the necessary forms and applications. Duties include knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to disaster recovery; prepare project worksheets following established state and federal eligibility criteria; collect and compile data; coordinate public and private disaster assistance programs; draft and review policies and procedures for recovery programs; and perform final inspections of completed work through on-site visits, compare completed work with approved scope of work; review applicant provided cost documentation to insure the claimed costs are consistent with the work performed. Attend training workshops to learn and maintain working knowledge of assessing disaster effects and preparing accurate estimates of costs to repair or replace damaged property and facilities.
Is there any training I can do on my own ahead of time?
Yes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has several Independent Study (IS) Courses you can take free of charge. These courses are on FEMA’s web site at http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp
For a list of Independent Study Courses:
http://training.fema.gov/IS/docs/IS%20Brochure.pdf
For all positions listed in #9 we recommend:
IS630 – Introduction to the Public Assistance Process
IS007 – Citizen’s Guide to Disaster Assistance
IS288 – The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management
For Disaster Recovery Coordinator I & II, we recommend:
IS631 – Public Assistance Operations I
IS632 – Introduction to Debris Operations in FEMA’s Public Assistance Program
IS393 – Introduction to Mitigation
Contact
For additional information regarding the Recovery Program, please contact us for your area of interest.
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