CRJ Module 6 Overview: Recovery Often Begins In The In

Crj Module 6 Overviewrecoveryrecovery Often Begins In The Initial Hour

Crj Module 6 Overviewrecoveryrecovery Often Begins In The Initial Hour

CRJ Module 6 Overview Recovery Recovery often begins in the initial hours and days following a disaster event and can continue for months or years. Recovery involves decisions and actions relative to rebuilding homes; replacing property; resuming employment; restoring businesses; and permanently repairing and rebuilding infrastructure. In this module, you will learn the role that the federal government plays in disaster recovery operations. You will list and explain the recovery programs that are administered by FEMA to fuel individual and community recovery operations. This module will also explain how federal agencies other than FEMA contribute to disaster recovery.

The recovery role of national voluntary relief organizations will be discussed. The various tools that are available for community recovery planning will be identified. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this module, you should be able to: 7G Explain how federal agencies other than FEMA contribute to disaster recovery. 7H Discuss the recovery role of national voluntary relief organizations. 7I Identify various tools that are available for community recovery planning. 7J Summarize how a Community Long-Term Recovery Plan is developed, and why it is important. 8D Characterize the role of the federal government in disaster recovery operations. 8E List and explain the recovery programs administered by FEMA to fuel individual and community recovery operations. Module 6 Reading Assignment Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. (2011). Introduction to emergency management. Burlington: Elsevier. Chapter 7. The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Recovery Recovery often begins in the initial hours and days following a disaster event and can continue for months or years. Recovery involves decisions and actions relative to rebuilding homes; replacing property; resuming employment; restoring businesses; and permanently repairing and rebuilding infrastructure. Because the recovery function has such long lasting impacts and usually high costs, the participants in the process are numerous, and include all levels of government, the business community, political leadership, community activists and individuals.

An effective recovery brings all players together to plan, finance and implement a recovery strategy that will rebuild the disaster-impacted area safer and more secure as quickly as possible. Recovery activities begin immediately after a Presidential declaration as the agencies of the Federal Government collaborate with the State in the impacted area in the coordinating the implementation of recovery programs and the delivery of recovery services. The Federal government plays the largest role in providing the technical and financial support for recovery, with FEMA obligating an annual average of $2.88 billion on public assistance projects for major disaster declarations (with an average of $58 million per major disaster declaration) and $153 million in individual assistance for emergency declarations (averaging nearly $11 million per emergency declaration).

However, local government predominantly drives the decisions during recovery. In January 2008, the National Response Framework (NRF) was published to guide how responding parties coordinate in responding to a major disaster. Beginning in August 2009, FEMA initiated the process for developing a National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) to help coordinate recovery functions among Federal, State and local governments, the private sector, Tribal organizations and voluntary agencies. FEMA is engaged in an effort to solicit input from all stakeholders in the development of the NDRF. When established in coordination with State and local jurisdictions, a Disaster Recovery Center is a satellite component of the Joint Field Office (JFO), providing a central facility where disaster victims can obtain recovery assistance information.

The JFO is the coordination point for recovery assistance delivery. The JFO Operations Section includes the Human Services Branch, the Infrastructure Support Branch, and the Community Recovery and Mitigation Branch. Human Services Branch: coordinates assistance programs to help individuals, families, and businesses meet basic needs and return to self-sufficiency. Infrastructure Support Branch: coordinates public assistance programs. Community Recovery and Mitigation Branch: assesses long-term incident impacts, defines available resources, and facilitates the development of a course of action to restore and revitalize the community as well as reduce the impacts from future disasters.

Emergency Support Function #14 (ESF #14 – Long-Term Community Recovery and Mitigation) provides a framework for Federal support to State, regional, local, and tribal governments, NGOs, and the private sector to enable recovery. Federal disaster assistance available under a major disaster falls into three general categories: Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Individual Assistance is aid to individuals, families, and business owners. Public Assistance is aid to public and certain private nonprofit entities for emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities. Hazard Mitigation Assistance is funding available for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.

Individual Assistance programs are oriented to individuals, families, and small businesses, and the programs include temporary housing assistance, individual and family grants, disaster unemployment assistance, legal services, and crisis counseling. The Disaster Housing Program assures that people whose homes are damaged by disaster have a safe place to live until repairs can be completed, and provides funds for expenses often not covered by insurance. This includes Lodging expenses reimbursement, Emergency minimal repair assistance, Temporary rental assistance, and Mortgage and rental assistance. The Individual and Households Program provides funds for the necessary expenses and serious needs of victims that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of disaster assistance.

IHP provides assistance through 5 programs, including Temporary Housing, Repair, Replacement, Permanent Housing Construction, and Other Needs. FEMA pays 100% of the Housing portion grants, and 75% of the Other Needs (states pays the remaining 25%). The maximum assistant for each family or individual in FY05 is $25,000. Most aid is provided in the form of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of major disasters.

Legal Services are provided free to low-income victims through the Young Lawyer’s Division of the American Bar Association for insurance claims; counseling on landlord/tenant problems; assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures; and replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed. Special Tax Considerations, in the form of federal income tax deductions, are given to Taxpayers who have sustained a casualty loss from a declared disaster. Businesses may file claims with ATF taxes paid on appropriate lost alcohol, tobacco, or firearms inventories. Crisis Counseling is offered to affected people to help relieve any grieving, stress or mental health problems caused or aggravated by the disaster or its aftermath.

The Cora Brown Fund can be used for the relief of human suffering caused by natural disasters to assist victims whose needs will not be met by other programs. The Public Assistance Grant Program provides federal assistance to state and local governments and to certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, to allow them to recover from the impact of disasters and to implement mitigation measures. Work that is eligible for supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance is classified as either emergency work (includes debris removal from public roads and rights-of-way as well as from private property when determined to be in the public interest) and permanent work (work that is required to restore an eligible damaged facility to its pre-disaster design).

Other Federal Agencies have programs that contribute to social and economic recovery, primarily triggered by a Presidential Disaster Declaration, and include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Labor, the National Voluntary Relief Organizations, and The American Red Cross. Recovery Planning Tools Many communities are looking at ways to reduce their future vulnerability, making the long-term investment in mitigation. A partial list of available policy areas and tools includes the following: Land use planning techniques Zoning Building codes including design controls Financial incentives Information and Oversight Required Web Resources: Recovery Doesn't Just Happen Required Presentations: Chapter 7 [INSERT TITLE HERE] 1 [INSERT TITLE HERE] Student Name Allied American University Author Note This paper was prepared for [INSERT COURSE NAME], [INSERT COURSE ASSIGNMENT] taught by [INSERT INSTRUCTOR’S NAME].

Paper For Above instruction

Disaster recovery is a complex, multifaceted process that begins immediately after a disaster event and can span months or even years. During this period, various stakeholders—including federal agencies, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and community groups—collaborate to rebuild lives, restore infrastructure, and ensure communities are more resilient to future incidents. This paper explores the roles of two organizations actively involved in disaster recovery efforts: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross, analyzing their contributions during disaster scenarios and comparing their approaches to recovery.

FEMA: Federal Leadership in Disaster Recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a pivotal role in coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts across the United States. Established to support the nation in times of crisis, FEMA’s primary responsibilities include facilitating federal assistance programs, coordinating recovery operations, and providing technical and financial support to affected communities (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2011). When a disaster strikes, especially those declared as major or emergency declarations by the president, FEMA activates its response mechanisms, which include deploying personnel, establishing Disaster Recovery Centers, and working with state and local governments.

FEMA administers multiple programs to support recovery efforts, notably the Public Assistance Program, which funds repairing damaged infrastructure, and Individual Assistance, which provides aid directly to disaster victims in the form of housing grants, disaster unemployment benefits, and legal services. FEMA’s coordination is facilitated through the Joint Field Office (JFO), which functions as the central hub for managing recovery activities. The JFO’s branches facilitate targeted functions such as human services, infrastructure support, and community recovery, all aimed at restoring communities to pre-disaster conditions or better (FEMA, 2020).

Furthermore, FEMA collaborates with other federal agencies—like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Small Business Administration—to provide comprehensive recovery support. The agency also emphasizes mitigation measures, funding projects that reduce future disaster damages through hazard mitigation assistance programs (FEMA, 2022). Such measures include stronger building codes, land use planning, and community resilience initiatives, which are vital for long-term recovery strategies.

The American Red Cross: Voluntary Relief and Community Support

The American Red Cross (ARC), as a prominent non-governmental organization, provides vital disaster relief services, focusing on immediate response and ongoing recovery support. Unlike FEMA, heavily reliant on federal funding and coordination, ARC mobilizes volunteers and resources swiftly to deliver emergency assistance, including shelter, food, and medical care (Crisis and Recovery, American Red Cross, 2021). The organization’s efforts extend beyond initial response, emphasizing recovery through case management, mental health services, and community resilience programs.

ARC’s recovery work is characterized by its locally embedded presence, enabling rapid assistance tailored to community needs. The organization often partners with local agencies and other non-profits to conduct outreach, rebuild homes, and support affected populations emotionally and psychologically. An example is their involvement in long-term recovery projects, such as structural rebuilding efforts after hurricanes or floods. Their volunteer-driven model allows ARC to mobilize skilled teams quickly, ensuring that recovery services are sustained well into the reconstruction phase (Red Cross, 2023).

While FEMA’s approach is centralized, policy-driven, and federal in scope, ARC’s strategy is community-centered, flexible, and volunteer-oriented. Both organizations aim to reduce the disaster’s adverse impacts but operate through distinct channels—governmental versus voluntary—to complement each other’s efforts and maximize recovery effectiveness.

Comparison and Conclusion

Comparing FEMA and the American Red Cross reveals both differences and synergies in disaster recovery efforts. FEMA’s role is primarily facilitating and funding large-scale recovery initiatives, emphasizing resilience through mitigation and infrastructure repair supported by federal resources and policy. Its structured approach ensures that disaster recovery aligns with national standards and regulatory frameworks (FEMA, 2022). Conversely, the Red Cross excels in immediate relief and personalized support, leveraging volunteer networks and community knowledge to address urgent needs and foster resilience at the local level.

Both entities recognize the importance of coordination. FEMA’s development of frameworks like the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) ensures systematic engagement with non-governmental organizations such as ARC. This coordination allows resources and efforts to be streamlined, minimizing duplication and ensuring comprehensive recovery support tailored to the needs of affected populations (FEMA, 2010). Overall, successful disaster recovery hinges on the collaboration between federal agencies and voluntary organizations—each bringing unique strengths to the table to rebuild and strengthen communities post-disaster.

References

• Crisis and Recovery, American Red Cross. (2021). Disaster Recovery and Community Resilience. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2010). The National Disaster Recovery Framework. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2020). Disaster Recovery Centers. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2022). Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov
• Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. (2011). Introduction to emergency management. Burlington: Elsevier.
• Red Cross. (2023). Long-Term Recovery After Disasters. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org