Introduction
PART 1: Before the Event
1 FEMA’s Public Assistance Program Overview
2 General Pre-Emptive Strategies
3 Pre-Disaster Strategies and Policies
4 The Local Government Cost Recovery Planning Process
5 Disaster Cost Accounting Systems and Details
6 Work Activity Documentation and Work Process Flow
7 Criticality of Effective/Comprehensive Documentation
8 Pre- and Post-Disaster Photo Documentation
9 Disaster Procurement
10 Insurance and Risk Management
PART 2: Roles and Responsibilities
11 The Role of the EOC and Departmental Operations Centers
12 The Local Agency Finance Department’s Role
13 Hired Guns and Consultants
PART 3: During the Event
14 The Proclamation and Declaration Processes
15 Debris Monitoring and Debris Management
16 Immediate Needs Funding
17 Expedited Funding for Emergency Work
18 Community Disaster Loan Program
19 Mutual Aid
20 The Local Damage Assessment Process
21 The FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment
22 Other Federal Agency Funding
23 FEMA Authorized Repair versus Replace (The 50% Rule)
24 Developing the Damage Inventory, AKA ‘The List of Projects’
25 Interpreting Contacts, Policies, and Memoranda of Understandings
PART 4: Submitting for Reimbursement
26 Eligibility
27 Categorizing Projects
28 Beginning the Paperwork Process
29 The Public Assistance Grants Portal
30 The Special Consideration Questions
31 The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
32 Direct Administrative Costs (DAC)
33 Regional (and Personal) Interpretations of FEMA Regulations
34 Building and Infrastructure Codes and Standards
35 Catch 22s – Conflicting Regulations
36 Local Agency Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds
37 Private Non-Profit Agencies
38 U.S. Small Business Administration Loans for Private Non-Profits
PART 5: Wrapping Up
39 Fraud
40 Audits
41 Appeals
42 Close-outs
43 Summary and General Rules
Index
Biography
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.
“This comprehensive guide demystifies FEMA's Public Assistance program, offering local government agencies a practical roadmap for disaster recovery. From financial planning to project close-outs, the author provides clear insights, real-life case studies, and essential tips. An indispensable resource for maximizing FEMA funding while avoiding common pitfalls in emergency management and disaster recovery.”
Ellis M. Stanley, Sr., Managing Partner, Ellis Stanley Partners LLC, Former General Manager of City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department
“When an event happens, you don’t want to deal with two disasters – the physical impacts and the financial recovery. Fighting With FEMA gives you the knowledge needed to develop pre-emptive strategies, implement sound documentation practices and make your jurisdiction eligible for the maximum recovery. Invest your time reading this book.”
Bijan Karimi, Former Assistant Deputy Director, City and County of San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
