It's all about the PW

I want your business! That's why I'm here.  My business as a FEMA consultant is helping you through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, and make sure you get all you're legally entitled to. By now I'm sure you're probably thinking; why do I need you, the FEMA Consultant, to do anything for me.  After all, FEMA said they would look at all my damaged infrastructure and write my PW's.  That's true enough, and they will. And, if you're happy with that, that's fine. Thanks for considering me. I appreciate it very much.

That's FEMA's mantra.  They post it on the walls of the Joint Field Offices (JFO). Start meetings saying it.  They pound it into the heads of staff that that's the reason they're there. It's that important.  Everything FEMA PA does revolves around the PW.  Your grants revolve around it too! It's all dependent on the PW.  Without it nothing happens.  If it's that important, wouldn't you want to make sure your PW's are prepared as accurately and timely as possible?

Did you know that since 1997, when FEMA did their last major PA re-engineering. They have been actively encouraging FEMA applicants and sub-applicants to write their own PW's for small projects. (projects <$123,100.00) And they still are. Why?  Administration costs.  FEMA determined that the vast majority of projects written were for small projects.  If they could get the applicants (and sub) to write their own, they could save a bundle. Good idea.  Except they didn't teach the applicants how!

Yes, you read that right.  FEMA is re-re-engineering the program delivery for the Public Assistance Program. Trying again to bring administrative costs down. This time they believe it will be better to create processing centers.  Send a few folks to the field to record damage, and then electronically send the information to an office full of project writers to write YOUR PW's. That would reduce their "in-field" presence, and cut down on office, hotel, car rentals and personnel. Admin costs!

Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Remember, these our your grants we're talking about here. And it's not small potatoes either.  Your grants are just that. Your grants.  Intended to repair/replace your damaged or destroyed facilities. Reimburse you for critical emergency services you provided to keep your community safe. As well as provide much needed dollars for mitigation projects to lessen the chance of damage in the future. Maybe a more "hands on" approach would be better for you and your community?

As you can see from the information provided here.  There is much to know/learn about FEMA's Public Assistance Program.  The documents and publications I've provided so far are just the beginning of what you need to know to maximize your FEMA assistance.  It's the easy part.  The basic tools.  With twenty-seven years, and seventy plus FEMA disasters behind me. I've learned many, many lessons.  Perhaps the most important one is this. STAY AHEAD OF THE PROBLEMS.  I'd like to help you do that!