Fighting With FEMA

In this book, disaster finance and cost recovery expert Michael Martinet provides unparalleled coverage of the practical, real-world key principles necessary to successfully navigate the nuances of federal regulations surrounding FEMA's Public Assistance program. Accessibly written, Martinet demystifies the many policies, procedures, and administrative processes a local government agency should adopt before a disaster to prepare themselves for a greater financial recovery after a disaster. The intent is to awaken local authorities to the realities of the process and assist them in preparing for a day which all hope they will never see. Designed for financial officers, purchasing officials, Public Works officials, Building & Safety officials, public construction project managers, and emergency management professionals at all levels of government, Fighting With FEMA will also earn a place in the libraries of consulting disaster recovery specialists and students interested in the financial aspects of disasters.

Michael Martinet is Principal with The Martinet Group, LLC, specializing in teaching Disaster Finance and Cost Recovery programs. For over 25 years, Martinet has trained local government officials on how to maximize their disaster cost recovery under FEMA's Public Assistance program. Attendees have come from cities, counties, states, special districts and private non-profit agencies across the nation. He has a master's degree from California State University at Long Beach and is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). Martinet is the founder and chair of the IAEM Disaster Cost Recovery Caucus and former Principal on the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 1600, the Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. Martinet has also worked as a local government emergency manager since 1989 and retired in 2013 from the City of San Francisco where he worked as the Emergency Planning Manager in the Controller's Office. Since 2013 he has focused exclusively on disaster cost recovery training for local government agencies and eligible private non-profit agencies.

Introduction 1. FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Overview 2. General Conditions for Pre-emptive Strategies 3. Pre-Disaster Strategies & Policies 4. The Local Government Cost Recovery Planning Process 5. Disaster Cost Accounting Systems and Details 6. Work Activity Documentation & Work Process Flow 7. Criticality of Effective/Comprehensive Documentation 8. Pre-Disaster and Post-Disaster Photo Documentation 9. Disaster Procurement 10. Insurance and Risk Management 11. Role of the EOC & Department Operations Centers 12. The Role of the EOC and Departmental Operations Centers 13. Hired Guns & Consultants 14. Proclamation & Declaration Processes 15. Debris Monitoring & Debris Management 16. Immediate Needs Funding 17. Expedited Projects for Emergency Work 18. Community Disaster Loan Program 19. Mutual Aid 20. Local Damage Assessment Process 21. FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) 22. Other Federal Agencies (OFA) Funding 23. FEMA Authorized Repair Versus Replacement (50% rule) 24. Developing the AList of Projects@ aka the Damage Inventory 25. Interpreting Contracts, Policies, and Memoranda of Understandings 26. Eligibility 27. Categorizing Projects 28. Beginning the Paperwork Process 29. The Public Assistance Grants Portal 30. Special Considerations 31. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 32. Direct Administrative Costs (DAC) 33. Regional (& Personal) Interpretation of FEMA Regulations 34. Building & Infrastructure Codes & Standards 35. Catch 22's: Conflicting Regulations 36. Local Agency Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds 37. Private Non-Profit Agencies 38. Small Business Administration Loans (For Non-Profits) 39. Fraud 40. Audits 41. Appeals and Arbitration 42. Close Outs and Net Small Project Overruns (NSPO) 43. Summary and General Rules. Index