Human Services and Public Assistance Disaster Reservist Programs

1. Human Services and Public Assistance Disaster Reservist Programs

2. Overview • Why / When Do We Need Disaster Reservists? • General Information • Positions • Job / Duration/ Training • Pay

3. 1 2 4 3 5 Disaster strikes Preliminary Damage Assessment Declaration 6 Response and Initial Assessments Joint Field Office Request for Federal Assistance From Response to Recovery

4. 8 6 7 Req. Joint Field Office Request for Assistance 7 Request for Assistance Req. Individual & Households Program Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation On-going Response From Response to Recovery

5. Recovery Section Today Section Manager – Chuck Hagerhjelm Human Services Manager – John Vollmer Public Assistance Manager – Donna Voss Hazard Mitigation Manager – Marty Best

6. General Information • Training provided on various subjects when $$ available. • HS case processing training is provided at the start of recovery operations. • HS positions can be learned on-the-job, some may require experience working in other areas. • HS employees will need to commit to 60 days. • PA positions require professional engineering or accounting experience • Employment is based on need • Staff levels are adjusted to provide optimum service at minimum cost • Emphasis given to “optimum service” • With few exceptions, everyone is accepted into the HS reservist pool that really wants to help. • PA reservist program is selective due to program needs.

7. Human Services Positions • Preliminary Damage Assessment • Community Relations • Disaster Recovery Center • Assistance Award Processing • Assistance Award Processing Lead • Quality Assurance • Appeals and Recoups • Document Control • In-House Inspector • Funeral Detail

8. Job / Duration/ Training • Preliminary Damage Assessment • Represents state on local / state / FEMA / SBA team verifying private property damage reported by the local jurisdiction • Multiple teams usually deployed • Works in the field for 1-7 days. • Requisites – Works well as team member • On-The-Job Training

9. Job / Duration/ Training • Community Relations • Two person (state/FEMA) teams • Instructs public / answers questions on assistance programs • Works in the field for approximately 60 days • Requisites – • Works well as team member. • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • In-house training provided when $$ available • May be required to learn on-the-fly from FEMA • Field guide available

10. Job / Duration/ Training • Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) • Co-manages facility with FEMA • Assists people with questions/concerns about assistance programs • Works in the field up to 60 days • Requisites – • Works well as team member. • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • Training provided when $$ available • May be required to learn on-the-fly from FEMA

11. Job / Duration/ Training • Case Processing • Manually review cases to determine eligibility • Staffs state hot line • Works in the JFO / EOC - days to months • Requisites – • Works well as team member. • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • Basic computer skills desired • Training provided by FEMA before processing • Continuous OJT during recovery operations

12. Job / Duration/ Training • Case Processing Lead • Manually reviews / approves work of case processors • Works in the JFO / EOC - weeks to months • Requisites – • Works well as team member • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • Experienced / qualified in case processing / SAP / IHP • FEMA training before processing • Continuous mentoring by GCO

13. Job / Duration/ Training • Document Control & Reports • Maintains grant files & ensures client files are maintained in the database • Runs reports required for grant management • Works in the JFO / EOC - for up to a year • Requisites – • Works well as team member. • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • Files management experience desired • Training provided when $$ available • FEMA DB training before recovery operations begin

14. Job / Duration/ Training • In-House Inspector • Inspects disaster-damaged property for the state ONA program to verify categories of loss. • Works in the field as needed / position rarely used • Requisites – • Works well without supervision • Analytical • Ability to follow detailed instructions and render reports • Training provided when $$ available

15. Job / Duration/ Training • Funeral Detail • Advises & assists families with disaster related deaths • Works in the JFO / EOC – as needed • Requisites – • Works well as team member • Deep desire to help / non-judgmental • Experienced / well qualified in the IHP • Ability to remain emotionally uninvolved but compassionate / empathetic • IHP and Crisis Counseling training provided when $$ available

16. Job / Duration/ Training • Quality Assurance • Reviews completed cases to ensure quality • Conducts trend analysis & Initiates corrective actions • Works in the JFO / EOC – weeks to months • Requisites • Good to excellent analytical skills • Excellent computer skills especially in database management • Thorough understanding of FEMA DB and IHP • Training provided when $$ available / FEMA DB training at onset of disaster recovery

17. Job / Duration/ Training • Appeals & Recoups • Process appeals I/A/W State Administrative Plan (SAP) • Initiate recovery of funds as directed • Works in the JFO / EOC – weeks to months • Requisites • Analytical / logical • Thorough understanding of SAP and IHP • Writes well • Case processing experience • IHP training provided when $$ available

18. PA Positions • Engineers • Civil • Structural • Other • Accountants

19. Public Assistance Reservists • Represents the state on a local/state/FEMA team • Verifying public agency damage reported by local jurisdictions • Multiple teams • Works in the field for several weeks preparing cost estimates for repair of damaged public facilities • Training provided

20. Public Assistance Reservists • Requisites • Engineering background • Cost estimator • PE desired, but not required • Experience with public infrastructure, i.e. roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities • Accounting Background • Auditing background • Governmental accounting / budgeting • Must be Computer Literate

21. PA Work Activities • Prepares cost estimates for repairs • Actual costs • Estimated costs • Monitors construction, reviews plans & specs, prepares progress and final reports • Reviews expenditure documentation • Monitors expenditures during construction and final financial review • Prepares progress and final reports

22. What Questions Do You Have?