Liaison Officer LNO Orientation Who are you and

Liaison Officer (LNO) Orientation Who are you and what do you do?

Objectives • Review Declaration process, disaster lifecycle timeline, response levels, and ICS application to disaster operations • Discuss roles and responsibilities of the LNO • Review the Stafford Act and disaster assistance programs and processes • Discuss deployment activities (before, during, and after)

Declaration Process and Disaster Operations LNO Roles and Responsibilities (where do you fit organizationally? )

Disaster Lifecycle – Deployment Timelines

Operational Response Levels IV MINOR § § III MODERATE Minimal levels of damage Could result in a Presidential declaration Some federal involvement may be requested Request will be met by regional resources • Moderate levels of damage • Will likely result in a major Presidential disaster declaration • Moderate federal assistance • Regional resources will be fully engaged • Potential involvement of resources from other regions • Select national resources may also be utilized

Operational Response Levels II MASSIVE § Will result in a major Presidential disaster declaration § Major federal involvement § Full engagement of all regional and most national resources § EMAC

Operational Response – Level I • • • Catastrophic Exponentially greater resources required Greater damage Full and active mobilization of the federal government with possible international aid provided Generally expedited presidential declarations Local, Tribal, and State declarations made early

Field Ops Organizational Structure Unified Command Federal Coordinating Officer State Coordinating Officer Liaison (LNO) Operations External Affairs, Liaisons, and Others Chief of Staff Defense Coordinating Element Safety Officer Planning Logistics Command Staff Finance/Admin General Staff

General Staff (JFO Sections) Provides ops support to incident mgt. Programs • IA (DSA) • PA • Hazard Mitigation Geographical LNO Provides current information Supports development of Incident Action Plan Consolidates reports Coordinates services and support including: • • Resource ordering Facilities Transportation IT systems Monitors and tracks all Federal costs Manages human resource functions Provides training

Liaison Officer Roles • Face of the Federal Government (FEMA) • Advocate for the State, Tribal, Territorial, or Local jurisdiction • Confidante • Problem Solver • Facilitator • Public Speaker

4 Branches

21 Divisions + 3 Liaison Officers (LNOs)

Organizational Structure Variations most often occur with Level I or Level II disasters. § Depends on the situation o Type of event o Scope o Geography o State/Tribal/Territory variables § Area Field Offices

Stafford Act and Disaster Assistance Programs and Processes

Robert T. Stafford Act Authorizes 3 disaster assistance programs: § Individual Assistance § Public Assistance § Hazard Mitigation All 3 programs operate and are supported by the Joint Field Office.

Individual Assistance Purpose: To help disaster survivors recover from a declared disaster with housing and other assistance.

A Partnership Disaster survivors begin cleaning up after a tornado. NGO/Voluntary Agencies Government Programs

Initial Response Resources for Survivors § § § Meals Water Cots Blankets Infant & Toddler Kits § Durable Medical Equipment/ Consumable Medical Supplies Kits § Emergency Generators (Power-packs) Photo ID: 58074

Federal and Other Disaster Assistance § Other Federal agency assistance o Provided under agency authorities o Examples: SBA, USDA, HUD, VA § Faith-based, community-based, and private-sector organizations play important roles

Individuals and Household Program (IHP) Addresses necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or insurance. There are two components within IHP: § Housing Assistance (HA) § Other Needs Assistance (ONA)

Individuals and Households Program Housing Assistance: 100% Federally funded § Includes: o Temporary housing o Repair o Replacement o Permanent housing construction

Small Business Administration (SBA) § Primary source for Federal longterm recovery funds § Low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans § Purpose: Assist small businesses through disaster recovery § Provides: Loans for small businesses and most private non-profits § Offered: Applicants with no available credit elsewhere § Total: Up to $2 million in loans

Other Needs Assistance (ONA) § Pays for “stuff” § 75% Federal 25% State funded § Designed for the uninsured and underinsured

Other Needs Assistance Categories Non- Income Dependent • • Medical Dental Funeral Other- decided by the state Income Dependent • • Personal Property Moving & Storage Transportation Group Flood Insurance Policy

Other Organizations that Provide Assistance § Disaster Unemployment Assistance § Disaster Legal Services § U. S. Department of Agriculture programs § Veterans Assistance § Aging Services

Public Assistance Mission: To provide supplemental financial assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, and certain private non-profit organizations for response and recovery activities required as the result of a declared disaster.

What is the Public Assistance Program? § Part of response and recovery efforts § Supplemental assistance to State, local, tribal, territorial and certain private nonprofit organizations for activities generated by the disaster § Grants for cost effective measures to prevent or reduce threat of future damage § Cost share normally at Federal (75%) and State (25%) unless exceptions are authorized by the President

New PA Process The new PA delivery model streamlines project formulation by segmenting projects based on complexity, standardizing project workflows with improved technology, specializing staff roles and responsibilities, and consolidating non-field work in Consolidated Resource Centers (CRCs). The new delivery model follows a four phase process to identify projects, document damages, develop scopes of work and costs, and review and award grant.

Eligibility Requirements Four Basic Components § Eligible applicant § Eligible facility § Eligible work § Eligible cost Cost Work Facility Applicant

Eligible Applicants: § State and local governments/agencies § Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native village or organizations § Certain Private Nonprofit Entities

Eligible Facility Building, works, system or equipment, certain improved and maintained natural features § Active at the time of the disaster § Responsibility of the eligible applicant § Damaged as a result of a declared disaster § Located in a designated disaster area § Not under the authority of another federal agency

Eligible Work Criteria: § Direct result of the declared event § Within declared area, except for sheltering and evacuation activities § Legal responsibility of the applicant If damage is caused by negligence, it is not eligible for reimbursement.

Eligible Cost They are generally costs that can be directly tied to the performance of eligible work and: § Reasonable and necessary § Compliant with Federal, State and local requirements for competitive procurement § Reduced by applicable credit (insurance and salvage)

Public Assistance Classifications Emergency: Categories A and B § Debris removal § Emergency protective measures Permanent: Categories C through G § Restoration of facilities and infrastructure § 406 hazard mitigation measures

Emergency Work Performed to: § Reduce or eliminate an immediate threat to life, protect property, protect public health and safety § Protect improved property that is threatened in a significant way as a result of a disaster

Categories of Emergency work (6 -month timeframe for completion) Two types: § Category A: Debris Removal § Category B: Emergency Protective Measures

Categories of Permanent Work (18 -month timeframe for completion) § Category C: Roads and Bridges § Category D: Water Control Facilities § Category E: Buildings and Equipment § Category F: Utilities § Category G: Parks, Recreational, and Other Facilities The State has limited authority to grant time extensions on a case-by-case basis.

FEMA Responsibilities § Coordinate with all Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial agencies § Collect project and cost data § Approve grants and obligate funds § Provide technical assistance

Recipient (Grantee) and Sub Recipient When Public Assistance is approved: § Recipient (Grantee)– State, Tribe, or Territorial government which is responsible for administering Public Assistance grants § Sub-Recipient is the eligible applicant within the declared area who applies for and receives the grant

Applicants’ Briefing § Hosted by the State after declaration § Attended by FEMA to show partnership § Covers procedures, administrative requirements, funding, and general program eligibility criteria § Provides broad overview of PA Grant Program § Generates Request for PA (RPA)

https: //intranet. fema. net/org/orr/rec overy/pad/newpa/Pages/default. aspx Description of new PA Program and Process

Mitigation Programs Pre-Disaster Mitigation Hazard Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants Program

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Section 404 of the Stafford Act Authorizes grants to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a Presidential major disaster declaration.

What Individuals & Households Can Do § Obtain insurance § Have access to a safe shelter § Secure, anchor, brace, elevate, and protect property § Rebuild in safe areas

National Flood Insurance Program The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created by Congress in 1968 as a way of reducing the financial and human toll of flooding disasters on the Nation.

National Flood Insurance Program § Enables property owners to purchase affordable flood insurance § Provides an alternative to disaster assistance

National Flood Insurance Program Based on agreements between local communities and the Federal Government: § Communities adopt and enforce a floodplain management ordinance § The Federal Government makes flood insurance available within the community

Flood Insurance vs. Disaster Assistance: Flood Insurance: § Loans (must be § Payment on a repaid with claim; no payback interest) and requirement grants § Does NOT require § Requires a a Presidential declaration for most programs

Who Needs Flood Insurance? Anyone who lives in areas subject to flooding. § Community must participate in the NFIP. § Required by law if: o You live in a high-risk flood area and have a federally backed mortgage o Your community participates in the NFIP

What Is a Mission Assignment (MA)? § A Mission Assignment is a work order issued to a Federal agency by FEMA, directing completion by that agency of a specified task and setting forth funding, other managerial controls, and guidance § A Mission Assignment is a work order issued by FEMA to another Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, directing completion of a specific task, and citing funding, other managerial controls, and guidance References: 6 U. S. C. 741 42 U. S. C. 5170 a Stafford Act Section 402

2 Types of Mission Assignments 1. Federal Operations Support (FOS) 2. Direct Federal Assistance (DFA)

Types of Mission Assignments § Federal Operations Support (FOS): § For any type of support to Federal responders § Requested by the Federal government § 100% federally funded § Eligible before or after declaration § Term FOS only found in FEMA policies EXAMPLE: Mission Assignment to transport DHS/FEMA assets to X Location References: 42 U. S. C. 5170 a Stafford Act Section 402 42 U. S. C. 5192 Stafford Act Section 502

Types of Mission Assignments § Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) § For goods and services beyond the State’s capability to provide § Requested by the State § Subject to State cost share § Eligible after declaration EXAMPLE: Mission Assignment to U. S. Army Corp of Engineers to perform debris removal References: 42 U. S. C. 5170 a Stafford Act Section 402 42 U. S. C. 5170 b Stafford Act Section 403 42 U. S. C. 5192 Stafford Act Section 502

MA Process Flowchart Need Identified MA Issued to OFA Requestor (STATE) submits Resource Request Form (RRF) to FEMA OFA Performs/ Completes Work OFA Bills FEMA Evaluates Request (RRF) FEMA Reimburses OFA as Approved Internal External (via MA) FEMA Region/HQ Closes MA

Deployment Basics Before, During, and After

Deployment Necessities BEFORE LEAVING, YOU MUST: § Receive a call/email and accept a deployment order (DTS/Supervisor) § Have a Travel Authorization § Have a valid FEMA badge § Have an active Government Travel Card § Have deployment contact information

Personal Go-Kit § Prepare a go-kit with basic supplies: - personal cell phone - medicines § Don't assume you'll find these items at your destination: - stores may be closed - shelves empty, no roads

Taking Care of Personal Affairs Reduce stress by taking care of personal affairs before deploying, such as: § Arranging for mail delivery § Arranging for payment of monthly bills § Canceling appointments § Letting family and friends know you are leaving

Government Travel Card ONLY use in official travel status: § By authorized individual § For official travel expenses § During designated period of travel Proper maintenance of this card is a condition of continued employment with FEMA

Travel Authorization and Vouchers When “In Travel Status, ” prepare and submit vouchers every 14 days in CONCUR

Time and Attendance § Keep track of your hours on a daily basis § Obtain authorization in advance of any overtime – use form – obtain Section Chief signature § Report your hours per agency policy

Work-Related Items § 1 -1 -1 Equipment § JFOs are well stocked with supplies; however, early in a major disaster, supplies may be scarce § Plan ahead, bring a pen and a small pad of paper

Where we work? § Joint Field Office § Disaster Recovery Center § Operational Area Field Office § Long Term Recovery Center § Closeout Office § The Field…

Checking In-Out & Reporting Changes Call 888 -853 -9648 or go to DTS to make in-out changes • Daily check in required • Lodging § Duty Station/Assignment/Home § Personal Contact Information § Emergency Contact Information

Stress and Disaster Work § Disaster work can be rewarding, but it is also stressful § While on deployment, you may encounter loss of life, serious injuries, missing and separated families, and destruction of whole areas

Types of Stress § Cognitive § Emotional § Physical § Behavioral

Unhealthy Responses to Stress Excessive Drinking Keeping Emotions Bottled Up Overeating Using Drugs

Preparing To Deal With Stress § Recognize your coping strategies § Exercise regularly § Eat a healthy diet § Reduce caffeine and sugar § Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs § Get enough sleep § Create a work/life balance

Balancing Strategies § Identify what you can and can’t change § Identify and minimize situations that drain your energy § Set goals and priorities § Spend quality time with family and friends

Managing Workplace Conflict § Ask others to state their concerns or points of view § Acknowledge views of others § Emphasize points of agreement § Minimize points of disagreement § Focus on common objectives § Seek guidance

Objectives • Review Declaration process, disaster lifecycle timeline, response levels, and ICS application to disaster operations • Discuss roles and responsibilities of the LNO • Review the Stafford Act and disaster assistance programs and processes • Discuss deployment activities (before, during, and after)