Emergency Management
Before, during and after disaster strikes...
Neel-Schaffer began emergency management services following the 1979 flood of Jackson, MS. Since then, we have assisted our clients with recovery efforts from tornados, hurricanes, storms, and floods. Through the benefit of our years of experience in acquiring federal and state disaster reimbursements, our clients have received full reimbursement on all completed and audited contracts.
Neel-Schaffer’s expertise lies in emergency planning and recovery for all aspects of pre- and post- emergency response. From experienced staff and support systems, to equipment and staging sites, we set in place the framework needed to provide comprehensive emergency planning and restore the critical infrastructure necessary for successful recovery operations.
Our staff of experts can provide the organization and management of “all-hazards” plans, as well as resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies. This in turn will enable you to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of emergencies and disasters. As a full-service firm, we will also establish a plan that includes the procedures required to engage the actions of governmental entities, as well as voluntary and private agencies in all phases of pre- and post- disaster response. Our comprehensive system of disaster management is designed to protect property and minimize property damage while coordinating the recovery efforts.
Provide Rapid Response
When your community is threatened or impacted by a disaster, you don’t need help later, you need help now. Neel-Schaffer will be there for you the next day – or often the same day – following a disaster. When an anticipated disaster such as a hurricane threatens our team can be there with you before the disaster, helping you with critical planning and response functions.
During the first 72 hours after a disaster, Neel-Schaffer will provide experienced personnel for post-disaster planning and project tracking and documentation. This quick response allows local government officials to focus on critical life-supporting and life-sustaining functions. Neel-Schaffer will provide a disaster recovery plan tailored to your needs and support you with project management and funding assistance so you can focus on meeting the needs of your community.
Keep You In Charge
All disasters begin and end on the local level. Local authorities know better than anyone what the needs of their communities are and the response that is most needed. Local leadership and control are particularly important in the face of wide-spread disaster.
Neel-Schaffer understands this and coordinates relationships with federal programs and private contractors to keep local officials in the role of key decision makers. In essence, we will help you cut through the red tape to achieve your goals and priorities.
We have found that often the key to success is starting off on the “right foot.” Strong relationships between those that have been impacted with regulators, contractors, and State and Federal officials will ultimately determine the outcome. Through experience, we understand management techniques that will “keep you in charge.”
Utilize Local Talent For Recovery Operations
The restoration of the economy is a major component of disaster recovery in every community. Utilizing local companies and area citizens is an effective means of aiding economic recovery.
Neel-Schaffer believes that displaced local workers should get first consideration for recovery jobs and stands firm on the principle that immediate employment speeds the recovery process at all levels: individual, business and community.
When local contractors and personnel are qualified for disaster recovery work, processes should be in place to make sure they get the first opportunity in the rebuilding efforts. Neel-Schaffer provides the training and materials to put them to work.
Assist With Reimbursement Procedures
When a major disaster strikes, community resources are often overwhelmed. While Federal and State governments play a major role in the recovery process through reimbursement of eligible costs related to declared disasters, it is critical that management of the disaster remains at the local level. Neel-Schaffer provides the assistance necessary to ensure maximum federal reimbursement of eligible disaster related costs. This allows local government to concentrate on the broader recovery effort.
Neel-Schaffer is successful in accomplishing this for many clients. We understand the FEMA reimbursement process and will help get the assistance you need. Important elements involved in the federal and state reimbursement process include: developing project worksheets, establishing eligible reimbursement items, providing project management, and overseeing compliance eligibility monitoring.
PRE-DISASTER SERVICES
Preparedness
- Comprehensive all-hazards state and local emergency management planning; including solid waste management,
- Comprehensive planning in building disaster-resistant communities,
- Training in the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS), damage assessment for public infrastructure and impact on individuals, and Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) procedures,
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA), and
- Pre-Event contracts for debris management.
Mitigation
- Developing State and local hazard mitigation plans.
- Retro-fitting and improving infrastructure and critical facilities for improved disaster resistance.
- Managing hazard mitigation projects, including oversight and FEMA reimbursement.
POST-DISASTER SERVICES
Response
- Disaster management teams on-site before a planned event or within 12 hours after occurrence.
- Comprehensive debris management including: emergency debris removal, debris estimation, debris contracting and monitoring, disposal site contracting and permitting.
- Damage assessments for infrastructure (public assistance) and human services (individual assistance).
- Emergency Operation Center (EOC) staffing augmentation.
Recovery
- Comprehensive debris management; including monitoring of debris removal and disposal. This includes vegetative, construction, vehicles, “wet” debris, and special and/or hazardous waste management.
- Debris removal from private property; including management of the Right-of-Entry (ROE) process, “wet” debris, vehicle and boat removal.
- Staffing augmentation for assistance with disaster management and recovery programs.
- Management of the Public Assistance Program including: assistance in oversight and development of project worksheets, project design, project management, and FEMA reimbursements.
- Assistance in disaster housing including: emergency permitting, land-use agreements, and assessment and monitoring of housing needs. This may also include temporary, transitional and long-term housing.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA).