FEMA PA Pilot program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act, 2007, Public Law 109-295, directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a Public Assistance (PA) Pilot Program. The legislation sets forth three goals for the PA Pilot Program: reducing the costs to the Federal Government of providing assistance to State and local governments, increasing flexibility in grant administration, and expediting the provision of assistance to States and local governments. The PA Pilot specifically addresses the provision of assistance under sections 403(a)(3)(A), 406 and 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 1570b(a)(3)(A), 5172, 5173 (Stafford Act). These sections relate to debris removal and the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities.

The legislation recommended new procedures for the administration of PA grants, and gave FEMA the authority to waive regulations and rules applicable to the provision of assistance. State and local governments may participate in the PA Pilot on a voluntary basis.

FEMA convened a PA Pilot Workgroup, comprised of members of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and FEMA regional and headquarters staff, including members of the Federal Coordinating Officers (FCO) cadre, to develop program guidance and an mplementation plan. The PA Pilot Workgroup focused on four key elements outlined in the legislation and identified the following procedures to implement in the PA Pilot Program:

• FEMA will provide grants on the basis of estimates for large projects up to $500,000.

• FEMA will provide an additional five percent Federal cost share, not to exceed 100 percent, to applicants that have a FEMA-approved debris management plan and at least two pre-qualified debris and wreckage removal contractors identified prior to a disaster.

• FEMA will allow applicant to retain any revenue from the salvage value of recyclable disaster debris as an incentive to recycle debris.

• FEMA will reimburse the straight- or regular-time salaries and benefits of an applicant’s permanently employed staff that performs debris-related activities.

FEMA will implement the PA Pilot Program from June 1, 2007 through
December 31, 2008. FEMA will report to Congress regarding any administrative or financial benefits, savings in costs or time, obstacles to recycling debris, and any other findings, conclusions or recommendations with respect to the PA Pilot Program by March 31, 2009.

For additional information, please click on the link below.

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/regions/regioniii/papilot.pdf

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