Representatives from nearly 20 different entities attended a briefing on Monday about the application process and requirements for groups to receive federal funding for costs related to the Jan. 22 snowstorm.
Frederick County is looking to recoup some storm-related costs after initial estimates showed the snowstorm cost $3.926 million.
The eligibility of volunteer fire companies for potential reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency dominated discussion at the briefing, particularly volunteer firefighters’ standby time.
Chip Jewell, head of the Frederick County Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, raised concern early on about how standby time for volunteer firefighters would factor into an application for federal funding.
He told The Frederick News-Post that volunteers stayed at fire stations during the snowstorm, ready to respond to emergencies in the snow. Although the fire companies did not incur costs from the volunteers’ standby time, they did have to pay for their meals as well as overtime for career firefighters.
Kelly Devilbiss, state public assistance officer with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, said volunteer firefighters’ standby time may fall under donated resources, and therefore, not be eligible for federal reimbursement. Expenses such as meals for volunteers would most likely be eligible, she said.
Devilbiss cautioned, however, that volunteer companies filing for FEMA funding can be difficult. Most companies are made up of career and volunteer staff, making it hard to separate the two and their costs.
“We are by no means saying you’re not eligible. ... We’re just going to have to be more creative on how we write that up based on what is established in this county,” Devilbiss said, noting that FEMA applications are filed based on the power and authority of volunteer fire companies, which varies by state and county.
Devilbiss encouraged Jewell to bring all documentation of storm-related costs to the kick-off meeting, in which FEMA officials assist applicants in compiling their applications pending funding request approval.
“I would say bring it all to the table,” she told Jewell. “It might be about how you need to write it all up.”
Jewell said he was not sure whether volunteer fire companies would apply for FEMA funding individually or as a whole, adding that he was still discussing details with county officials.
In a two-hour presentation Monday afternoon, Devilbiss reviewed the application process and requirements for Frederick County groups to receive funding under FEMA’s public assistance program.
This program includes funding for items such as debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of facilities or infrastructure damaged during the storm.
FEMA funds up to 75 percent of the costs. The applicant would pay the remaining share, Devilbiss said.
Devilbiss also discussed FEMA’s snow assistance program, which helps agencies recoup costs related to snow removal efforts, salting and de-icing. These funds typically cover only a continuous 48-hour period.
On Monday, Devilbiss urged county and municipal governments to look at snow removal efforts hour by hour, and select the 48-hour window with the highest costs. The hours when cities, towns and the county hired contractors would probably rank among the most expensive, and be a good starting point.
However, the first step in the application process is to file a request for public assistance. The deadline to submit this document is April 3, or 30 days after President Barack Obama signed a major disaster declaration for Maryland for the snowstorm, according to Devilbiss.
Once approved, FEMA officials will then set up a meeting with applicants to review material. The final report to FEMA is due 60 days after that kick-off meeting. Pending approval, the time when a group receives funding could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, she said.
Seamus Mooney, director of the Frederick County Department of Emergency Preparedness, said at the briefing that the county was still determining which agencies would apply individually and which would apply with the county.
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