Saturday, September 22, 2018

Update #5: Situation Awareness. Gullah Nation response & recovery Hurricane\Storm Florence. Sepember 22, 2018

Response and recovery of the Gullah Nation from hurricane\storm Florence is an ongoing effort from flooding long after the storm has past.

Financially our communities are constantly stressed.  Give whatever and how much as possible.
Ask local buusiness, private industry to  adjust their profit margins and give back to communities in need. Ask local Home Depot, Lowes, Walmarts, and others to contribute.
Corporation, and private industry are not just a part of the community in good times, but when disasters strike.

BEMA International
   ================
Gullah Nation financial Support

@SierraClub fa supportin de @GullahGeechee!



You can donate to our rebuilding fund here:


You can also contribute to the on-going Gullah/Geechee Land Legacy Fund here: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund


Here is Queen Quet's (Gullah Nation leadership)
    Huffpost article during the storm


Here are some of the articles that have come out so far regarding what the Gullah/Geechee Nation is faced with even after the storms cease:



Tenki Tenki fa hunnuh support!


Thursday, September 20, 2018

September 2018. Hurricane Florence and the Displacement of African-Americans Along the Carolina Coast.


Hurricane Florence and the Displacement of African-Americans Along the Carolina Coast


The places that are most threatened by Hurricane Florence this week, especially along the coast of the Carolinas, were heavily and, in some areas, almost entirely populated and owned by African-Americans a century ago.

While many of these black residents have since moved elsewhere, those in pockets like Princeville, N.C., remain. One of the oldest towns incorporated by African-Americans in the United States, Princeville was devastated by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, but many residents chose to stay, hoping to avoid "another lost colony."

Regina Cobb, 50, and her family have lived in Princeville for generations. "If it floods this time, I think my family is out," she said this week. "This is God's way of saying: 'It's time to do something different.'"

Text Link


Update #4: Situation Awareness. Saving a Culture. Gullah Island Community. September 20, 2018


Fulfill the need.
Updates forwarded as received directly from Gullah Community Leadership.
CDS
Supporting Gullah/Geechee Nation Rebuilding, Restoration, and Storm Preparation

Gullah/Geechee Nation posted: "The northern most region of the Gullah/Geechee Nation has suffered a great deal of damage and loss due to Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding that is still on-going.  The leaders of the Gullah/Geechee Nation have been providing disaster and sto"
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Supporting Gullah/Geechee Nation Rebuilding, Restoration, and Storm Preparation

The northern most region of the Gullah/Geechee Nation has suffered a great deal of damage and loss due to Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding that is still on-going.  The leaders of the Gullah/Geechee Nation have been providing disaster and storm preparedness information and will increase the workshops and trainings throughout the coast following the return of many Gullah/Geechees to their homes in the Pee Dee River, Grand Strand, and Cape Fear regions.    In the meantime, they are amassing hygiene and household cleaning items, work gloves, work boots, and toiletries to make kits for those in need due to the displacements and disruptions caused by this massive storm.   In order to support the recovery effort, please donate via this link which will provide support to the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network and other non-profit organizations that have mobilized to help the people affected by the storm:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/schurricanerelief

Over one dozen rivers have already overflowed their banks and the waters are still rising.  The City of Wilmington, NC has essentially become an island.  So, the Gullah/Geechees that remain there cannot drive out to get supplies and many there stated that stores had essentially run out of items.   So, the Gullah/Geechee Nation's leaders have been coordinating with the Black Emergency Managers Association International to find ways to bring supplies in via water with the assistance of the Coast Guard and others that have been doing rescues via boat and keeping us updated on what has been happening in the waters.
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is also collaborating with grassroots leaders in North Carolina to get volunteers and supplies into NC.  They have been able to coordinate some supply air drops and they are organizing those who have carpentry and others skills to come in for the restoration when the waters receded and roads reopen as well.
Go to www.tinyurl.com/flodropoff for an up-to-date list on North Carolina triangle donation drop-off locations and hours + supplies directly requested from Eastern NC partners on the ground.
DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS-DURHAM
Main Location: Durham Fruit Company - 305 S Dillard St, Durham, NC 27701
DROP-OFF HOURS:
Monday, Sept 17-Thursday Sept 20 from 10am-5pm
**Volunteers needed here to sort supplies and pick up donations and distribution sites today-Thursday. Fill out this form to sign-up or just SHOW up between the hours of 9:00am-6pm

Durham Food Co-op - 1111 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
DROP-OFF HOURS:
Monday-Friday during open store hours
DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS-RALEIGH
NC A. Philip Randolph Institute - 1408 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27601
DROP-OFF HOURS:
Sunday-Friday 12pm-4pm
DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS- CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO
Zog’s Pool Hall - 108 Henderson St (in between Franklin and Rosemary), Chapel Hill
Sunday-Tuesday 3pm-11pm
Steel String Brewery -106 S Greensboro St Carrboro, NC 27510
DROP-OFF HOURS:
Monday-Saturday 4pm-midnight

If anyone is interested in signing up to assist with the supply distribution of items that are coming in to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition in South Carolina from Florida and coastal Carolina and will be driving to the northern part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation or you have carpentry and landscaping equipment and skills and want to help with restoration, please email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
Continue to pray for the strength, health, and healing of the families and the restoration of our coastal communities.

www.GullahGeechee.net

www.GullahGeecheeAngelNetwork.com

www.GullahGeecheeNation.com


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Charles D. Sharp
Chief Executive Officer
Black Emergency Managers Association
           International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097 
bEMA International 
     







“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ¯   David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and  Partnering (C5&P)             A 501 (c) 3 organization.




Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Disaster Declaration Process: DHS\FEMA. Presidential Declarations September 2018

https://www.fema.gov/disaster-declaration-process

The Disaster Declaration Process

This page provides procedural information regarding the Stafford Act declaration process and is intended for emergency managers, elected officials, media, and stakeholders interested in the formal declaration process.  All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States.

Policy and Guidance

  •          Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
  •          Sandy Recovery Improvement Act

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act) §401 states in part that: "All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State."  A State also includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  The Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are also eligible to request a declaration and receive assistance through the Compacts of Free Association.
As a result of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, federally recognized Indian tribal governments now have the option of pursuing a declaration directly from the President. FEMA has developed Tribal Declarations Pilot Guidance, which provides more detailed and specific guidance for Tribal requests.
FEMA has codified the declaration process at 44 C.F.R. Part §206, Subpart B.

This section is Expanded. Click to CollapseThe Preliminary Damage Assessment

If it is apparent that a Presidential disaster declaration may be necessary to assist in the recovery of the impacted area, the State or Indian tribal government should contact their FEMA Regional Office and request a joint Federal, State/Tribal Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA).  Local government representatives should be included, if possible.  Together, the team will conduct a thorough assessment of the impacted area to determine the extent of the disaster, its impact on individuals and public facilities, and the types of federal assistance that may be needed.  This information is included in the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive’s request to show that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments or Indian tribal government and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.

This section is Expanded. Click to CollapseState Or Indian Tribal Goverment Resources Overwhelmed

Once the PDA is complete and the State or Indian tribal government determines that the damage exceeds their resources, the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive may submit a declaration request to the President through their FEMA Regional Office.  As part of the request, the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive must take appropriate action under State or Tribal law and direct the execution of the State or Tribal emergency plan.  The Governor or Tribal Chief Executive shall furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local or Indian tribal government resources that have been or will be committed to alleviating the results of the disaster, provide an estimate of the amount and severity of damage and the impact on the private and public sectors, and provide an estimate of the type and amount of assistance needed under the Stafford Act.  In addition, the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive must certify that, for the current disaster, State and local governments or Indian tribal governmenr obligations and expenditures will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements.
Generally, the PDA is completed prior to the submission of the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive’s request for a major disaster declaration.  However, when an obviously severe or catastrophic event occurs, the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive’s request may be submitted prior to completion of the PDA.1  In such circumstances the major disaster will generally be limited to Public Assistance Categories A and/or B (which may be further limited to Direct Federal Assistance (DFA)) and Hazard Mitigation Assistance.  For high-impact events where the level of damage to residences is empirically overwhelming, the declaration may also include Individual Assistance.  Additional forms of assistance may be added at a later date, pending the completion of PDAs.
144 C.F.R. §206.36

This section is Expanded. Click to CollapseDeclaration Types

There are two types of disaster declarations provided for in the Stafford Act: emergency declarations and major disaster declarations.2  
Both declaration types authorize the President to provide supplemental federal disaster assistance.  However, the events related to the two different types of declaration and scope and amount of assistance differ.
Emergency Declarations:  The President can declare an emergency for any occasion or instance when the President determines federal assistance is needed.  Emergency declarations supplement State and local or Indian tribal government efforts in providing emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.  The total amount of assistance provided for in a single emergency may not exceed $5 million. The President shall report to Congress if this amount is exceeded.
Requirements3:  The Governor of the affected State or Tribal Chief Executive of the affected Tribe must submit a request to the President, through the appropriate Regional Administrator, within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident.  The request must be based upon a finding that the situation is beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments or Indian tribal government and that supplemental federal emergency assistance is necessary to save lives and protect property, public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.  In addition, the request must include:
  • Confirmation that the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive has taken appropriate action under State or Tribal law and directed the execution of the State or Tribal emergency plan;
  • A description of the State and local or Indian tribal government efforts and resources utilized to alleviate the emergency;
  • A description of other federal agency efforts and resources utilized in response to the emergency; and
  • A description of the type and extent of additional federal assistance required.
Assistance Available Under Emergency Declarations:
  • Public Assistance (PA) – Only Categories A (debris removal) and B (emergency protective measures) may be authorized under an emergency declaration.Categories C-G (permanent work) are not available under an emergency declaration.  Emergency declarations often include only Category B and will typically be limited to DFA, absent damage assessments showing significant need for financial assistance.  This assistance is generally provided on a 75% federal, 25% non-federal cost sharing basis.
  • Individual Assistance (IA) – The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is the only form of IA that may be authorized under an emergency declaration.Authorization of IHP under an emergency is rare.  Housing Assistance under IHP is provided at a 100% federal share, while Other Needs Assistance under IHP requires a 25% non-federal cost share.
  • The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - is not available for emergency declarations.
Pre-Disaster Emergency Declarations4:  A Governor or Tribal Chief Executive may request an emergency declaration in advance or anticipation of the imminent impact of an incident that threatens such destruction as could result in a major disaster.  Such requests must meet all of the statutory and regulatory requirements for an emergency declaration request.  Requests must demonstrate  the existence of critical emergency protective measure needs prior to impact are beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments or Indian tribal government and identify specific unmet emergency needs that can be met through DFA.  Such DFA may include, but is not limited to, personnel, equipment, supplies, and evacuation assistance.  Pre-positioning of assets generally does not require a declaration.  Assistance made available under a pre-disaster emergency declaration will typically be Category B (emergency protective measures), limited to DFA.  FEMA may require damage assessments and/or verified cost estimates if additional types of assistance are requested.
Emergency Declarations with Federal Primary Responsibility:  When an emergency exists for which the primary responsibility rests with the Federal government, the President may declare an emergency without a request from the Governor of the affected State or the Tribal Chief Executive of the affected Tribe.  Such an emergency declaration does not prevent the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive from subsequently requesting a major disaster declaration for other unmet needs caused by the event.
Major Disaster Declarations:  The President can declare a major disaster for any natural event, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought, or, regardless of cause, fire, flood, or explosion, that the President determines has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond.  A major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work.
Requirements5:  The Governor of the affected State or Tribal Chief Executive of the affected Tribe must submit the request to the President through the appropriate Regional Administrator within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident.  The request must based upon a finding that the situation is beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments or Indian tribal government and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.  In addition the request must include:
  • Confirmation that the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive has taken appropriate action under State or Tribal law and directed execution of the State or Tribal emergency plan;
  • An estimate of the amount and severity of damage to the public and private sector;
  • A description of the State and local or Indian tribal government efforts and resources utilized to alleviate the disaster;
  • Preliminary estimates of the type and amount of Stafford Act assistance needed; and
  • Certification by the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive that the State and local governments or Indian tribal government will comply with all applicable cost sharing requirements.
Assistance Available Under Major Disaster Declarations:  Not all programs, however, are activated for every disaster.  The determination of which programs are authorized is based on the types of assistance specified in the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive’s request and the needs identified during the joint PDA and subsequent PDAs.  FEMA disaster assistance programs are as follows:
  • Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households, which may include:
    • Individuals and Households Program;
    • Crisis Counseling Program
    • Disaster Case Management
    • Disaster Unemployment Assistance
    • Disaster Legal Services
    • Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
  • Public Assistance - Assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, which may include the following Categories:
    • A - Debris removal
    • B - Emergency protective measures
    • C – Roads and bridges
    • D – Water control facilities
    • E – Buildings and equipment
    • F – Utilities
    • G – Parks, recreational and other facilities
  • Hazard Mitigation Assistance – Assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Factors: When evaluating requests for major disasters and making recommendations to the President, FEMA considers the following factors6:
(a)  Public Assistance Program
1) Estimated cost of the assistance – FEMA evaluates the estimated cost of Federal and non-Federal public assistance against the population to give some measure of the per capita impact. FEMA uses a per capita amount as an indicator that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that it might warrant Federal assistance, and adjusts this figure annually, based on the Consumer Price Index.
2) Localized impacts - FEMA evaluates the impact of the disaster at the county and local government levels, as well as at the American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribal Government levels, because, at times, there are extraordinary concentrations of damages that might warrant Federal assistance even if the statewide per capita is not met. This is particularly true where critical facilities (such as major roadways, bridges, public buildings, etc.) are affected or where localized per capita impacts are extremely high. For example, localized damages may be in the tens or even hundreds of dollars per capita, even though the overall per capita impact is low.
3) Insurance coverage in force – FEMA considers the amount of insurance coverage that is in force or should have been in force as required by law and regulation at the time of the disaster, and reduces the amount of anticipated assistance by that amount.
4) Hazard Mitigation – To recognize and encourage mitigation, FEMA considers the extent to which mitigation measures contributed to the reduction of disaster damages. This could be especially significant in those disasters where, because of mitigation, the estimated public assistance damages fell below the per capita indicator.
5) Recent multiple disasters – FEMA also considers the disaster history within the last twelve-month period to better evaluate the overall impact. FEMA considers declarations under the Stafford Act as well as declarations by the Governor or Chief Tribal Executive and to the extent they have expended their own funds.
6) Other federal agency assistance programs – FEMA also considers programs of other Federal agencies because at times their assistance programs more appropriately meet the needs created by the disaster.
(b) Individual Assistance Program
1) Concentration of damage – High concentrations of damages to individuals, such as destroyed or damaged housing, may indicate a greater need for Federal assistance than widespread and scattered damages.
2) Trauma – The degree of trauma to the community is considered, with special attention to large numbers of injuries and deaths, large scale disruptions to normal community functions and services, and emergency needs, such as extended or widespread losses of power or water.
3) Special populations – FEMA considers the impact of the disaster on special populations, such as the low-income, the elderly, and the unemployed.
4) Voluntary agency assistance – The capabilities of voluntary, faith, and community-based organizations are taken into consideration, as these entities play an important role in meeting both the emergency and recovery needs of individuals impacted by disasters.
5) Insurance – Stafford Act assistance is supplemental in nature, and therefore the level of insurance coverage is taken into account; primarily to qualify the scope of necessary assistance.
6) Damaged residences – severity and number. – severity and number – When conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments, FEMA evaluates the total number of homes destroyed and damaged, as well as evaluates the accessibility and habitability of the dwellings and the community.

2FEMA has established a third type of declaration, Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations, through regulation.  That process differs significantly from the emergency and major disaster processes.  Read more information regarding the Fire Management Assistance Grant program.
344 C.F.R. §206.35
4This section provides guidance regarding the circumstances under which pre-disaster emergency declarations may be considered and the types of assistance which may be made available, as required by Stafford Act Section 502(c) (42 U.S.C. § 5192(c)).
544 C.F.R. §206.35
644 C.F.R. §206.48. The regulation includes a chart titled “Average Amount of Assistance per Disaster.”  This chart is out of date and is no longer relevant to the declarations process.

This section is Expanded. Click to CollapseAppeals

The Governor or Tribal Chief Executive can appeal the denial of a major disaster or emergency declaration request.  The appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the denial letter and should include additional information justifying the need for supplemental federal assistance.

This section is Expanded. Click to CollapsePost Declaration Actions

Add-ons:  The Governor, the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), or Tribal Chief Executive can request designation of additional counties and programs within 30 days of the declaration or the end of the incident period, whichever is later.  The Governor, GAR, or Tribal Chief Executive may submit an extension request within the 30-day period, providing a valid reason supporting an extension.
Cost Share Adjustments:  The authority to adjust the Public Assistance cost share resides with the President.  FEMA will recommend an increase in the federal share to not more than 90% for Public Assistance when a disaster is so extraordinary that actual federal obligations under the Stafford Act, excluding administrative cost, meet or exceed a qualifying threshold.7
Appeals:  Post declaration determinations are generally subject to a one-time appeal.  Such appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the denial letter.  This deadline may be extended by FEMA, upon request of the State or Indian tribal government.  Extension requests must be submitted within the 30 day deadline.
744 C.F.R. §206.47(b).  The amount is adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Support for Real-World Experience. Alarm grows inside FEMA as administrator Brock Long fights for his job


I have the deepest respect, and admiration for academia and theorist.  Hands-on practitioners put theory to practice in real-world environment.  

FEMA Administrator 'MUST' be a hands-on practitioner from the field combined with academia.

Regrettably, Real world hands-on experience out weighs theory.  Real world is an ever changing environment that takes into account all systems internal and external environmental components on demand in life saving situations.

IG focus on insurance, mitigation, preparedness, continuity, and grant programs under Daniel Kaniewski should be focus. Leadership guides these groups.
This statement alone is questionable regarding relationship of DHS Secretary Kristen Nielsen and Daniel Kaniewski
'...She and Kaniewski are close friends and onetime housemates, according to three current and former colleagues.....'
Emergency Management is a non-political entity which follows the tenants of all responders primary imperative..."To Save Lives".  
As a veteran, and emergency manager a true leader leads by example, and knowing hands-on in the field obstacles that staff and personnel encounter.  The 'book' or policy is there to guide us in an ideal situation.  In real-world situations experience and knowledge comes into play.
If non-political I shall support FEMA Administrator Brock Long on those qualities alone.
Sincerely,

Charles D. Sharp
CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association International
Washington, D.C.

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The agency is without a deputy director and the third in command has little hands-on disaster management experience, Long’s allies say.

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