GADSDEN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
FUNCTION: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
I. Lead Agency:
Gadsden County
Department
Emergency
II. Supporting Agencies:
Gadsden County Public Works Department
Gadsden County Planning Department
Gadsden County Property Appraiser
Municipal Road Departments
Municipal Water and Sewer Departments
Management
III. Introduction
A. Purpose
The Public Assistance Program is a federal program that supports the efforts of local and
state governments to repair and restore public facilities, infrastructure, or services that
have been damaged or destroyed.
B. Scope
The Public Assistance Program supports a wide range of recovery activities, which are
divided into the following categories:
1. Category A – Debris Removal: Includes all storm induced debris on non-federal
roadways.
2. Category B – Emergency Protective Measures: Includes safety personnel and
resources (barricades, sand bags)
3. Category C – Road System: Damage to non-federal roads, streets, bridges, and
culverts.
4. Category D – Water Control Facilities: Covers costs to repair dams, levees, and
irrigation works.
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5. Category E – Building and Equipment: Covers costs to repair public buildings and
equipment.
6. Category F – Public Utility Systems: Covers costs to repair water systems,
sewerage facilities, and stormwater systems.
7. Category G – Other:
elsewhere classified.
Parks and recreational facilities or other facilities not
IV. Concept of Operations
A. Coordination of Public Assistance Activities
The Gadsden County Emergency Management Department is responsible for
coordinating Public Assistance Program activities. The EM Director or designee serves
as the local public assistance coordinator and the EM Administrative Assistant provides
staff support. The Gadsden County Public Works Department, the Planning Department,
the Property Appraiser’s Office and local agencies responsible for maintaining road,
water, and sewer infrastructure throughout Gadsden County provide additional
assistance. These agencies are listed in section II.
B. Identification of Potential Applicants for Federal Assistance
Potential applicants for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Public Assistance
Program include the following:
1. Gadsden County (all departments within the County apply under the umbrella of the
County);
2. City of Chattahoochee (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City);
3. City of Greensboro (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City);
4. City of Gretna (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City);
5. City of Havana (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City);
6. City of Midway (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City);
7. City of Quincy (all departments apply under the umbrella of the City); and
8. Private Not-for-Profit Organizations (e.g. American Red Cross)
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C. Method for Contacting Potential Applicants for Federal Assistance
The EM Department is responsible for coordinating participation in the Public Assistance
Program with potential applicants. The EM Department is in close contact with these
agencies during the response and recovery phases of an emergency and will insure that all
agencies are aware of opportunities for federal assistance. Many, if not all, of the
supporting agencies for this procedure are involved in assessing damage to infrastructure
in their communities. All potential applicants, including potentially eligible nonprofit
organizations such as Talquin Electric will be notified by the EM Department of the
State/FEMA Applicant Briefing.
The Kick-Off Meeting will take place either after the Applicants Briefing has occurred or
in conjunction with the Applicant’s Briefing. The applicant’s projects and issues will be
discussed with the appropriate representatives of the applicant’s agency in a smaller
setting.
D. Identification of Possible Infrastructure Recovery Projects
Infrastructure recovery projects are identified during the pre-disaster mitigation planning
process and during post-disaster damage assessment.
1. In order to be eligible for disaster funding, a public structure or a facility must have
sustained damage from a declared event. Eligible projects include public roads,
bridges, buildings, water control systems, and utilities. The Gadsden County Local
Mitigation Strategy Steering Committee has pre-identified 15 projects that may be
eligible for federal Public Assistance funding, should they be damaged in a declared
disaster. These projects are described in the Gadsden County Local Mitigation
Strategy, available through the Emergency Management Department. The selection
criteria used to identify these projects are:
a. Does the project protect the health and safety of Gadsden County residents?
b. How many people will benefit from the project?
c. Will the project protect property from damage?
d. Will the project mitigate future damage?
e. Will the project support essential services?
f. Will the project address a hazard that is likely to occur in the future?
g. Is the project consistent with the comprehensive plan?
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2. In addition to pre-identifying potential infrastructure projects, the EM Department
works with the supporting agencies listed in section II to identify infrastructure
recovery projects during post-disaster damage assessment. The public damage
assessment process provides an excellent opportunity to identify infrastructure
recovery projects that will ultimately reduce costs associated with future disasters.
E. Maintenance and Update of Infrastructure Recovery Project Data
The Gadsden County EM Department is responsible for updating the LMS (including the
list of pre-identified infrastructure recovery projects) annually, after each major disaster,
or as considered necessary.
F. Administrative Support for the Public Assistance Program
1. The EM Department support staff will serve as support staff for Public Assistance
recovery efforts.
2. Additional support staff will be provided by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office if
necessary.
3. Financial transactions will be monitored by the Gadsden County Clerk of the Court
using standard accounting and auditing procedures.
4. If necessary, the EM Director or his designee will employ temporary staff to address
recovery needs.
V. Roles and Responsibilities of Lead and Supporting Agencies
A. Gadsden County EM Department
The Gadsden County EM Department serves as the coordinating organization for all
recovery operations, including the Public Assistance Program. The EM Department is
responsible for coordinating all Public Assistance Program activities including
identifying and coordinating the participation of potential applicants for funding by the
Public Assistance Program, identifying possible infrastructure recovery projects, and
maintaining and updating infrastructure project data in the LMS (in conjunction with the
EM Department).
B. Gadsden County Public Works Department, Gadsden County Planning
Department, Municipal Road Departments, Municipal Water and Sewer
Departments
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The agencies listed above assist the EM Department in identifying and providing
information on projects in the county and its municipalities that could potentially be
funded through the Public Assistance Program.
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