How does FEMA fit in?

I have no regrets saying that as an undergraduate I was a strongly-leaning libertarian. And I was vocal, too. As a political scientist, I had a lot of opportunities to inject myself into our Socratic Dialogues and make my opinions known about the postal service, social programs and NATO. I don’t know how my professors and colleagues put up with me, but they all showed remarkable restraint in not taking the bait (most of the time).

What makes that all the more ironic is that this year I officially became a federal bureaucrat. I accepted a rotation as the first business owner as the Private Sector Representative to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). That role was originally set up by the Private Sector Division of FEMA to establish constructive relationships between the government and private industry in a disaster.

I accepted the rotation because I felt as though FEMA has a role to play in how companies respond to a disaster. This is the first part of an occasional series on FEMA and how they can assist you and your business in Reversing Disaster.

1. Money

This is the one people love to talk about, because the concept of “free money” is such a temptation, but it is also the one most subject to mismanagement and abuse. Remember the debit card-debacle in New Orleans? That was not an aberration. FEMA misallocates millions of dollars every year, and creates perverse incentives for people to do unsafe and reckless things. 

However, as a business owner, FEMA assistance can go a long way to help your employees and their families, so you can get back into business faster. FEMA offers a lot of different types of assistance for them which can supplement income, and provide temporary housing assistance.

2. Information


In my personal experience, this is something that FEMA does well…assuming you can find it. While I feel like FEMA information is mostly helpful, they have had a lot of trouble in the past with dissemination. Very rarely does FEMA provide a single-bottom line and communicate it well. This is the reason why the national press quickly catches on that the national office representatives and the field personnel are not singing from the same sheet of music.

For business, though, FEMA can provide information on mitigation measures, response activities, and provide safety information for you and your employees. They liaise with all the local and state agencies and responders, so you can minimize the risks to your employees and clients. They can also act as a conduit, in the sense that they can usually help you find the information you need on road closures, assistance updates, sheltering activities, etc. 


3. Crisis Counseling


Counseling after a disaster is not a new iteration. The Red Cross and other agencies were doing some kind of spiritual or psychological counseling for victims of disasters and wars since the First World War. FEMA now provides crisis counseling alongside these agencies, as they are able to mobilize mental health professionals quickly and efficiently to a disaster area.

In your company, your people are your most important asset. If you are a single-person business, the most important asset is you. And, of course, you need to be in a rational, steady-state of mind if you hope to keep your business continuous. You should know your limits and those of your employees so that they are not placed with undue stress

FEMA and other disaster counseling can help. The counseling is free, and could go a long way for your employees who are concerned about their family and friends. For example, disasters are very distressing events for children under almost any circumstances. Parents, guardians and other relatives can also be placed under additional stress from a disaster, and the counseling can provide a relief for them.

Conclusion


What is critical to remember is that FEMA cannot be all things to all people. Don’t expect it to be your Mommy or Daddy after a disaster strikes. They can only do so much.  By recognizing their strengths, and their limitations, you will find that FEMA does have a place in your disaster response. Utilize some of these resources available as they can be of great benefit to you and to your employees as you Reverse Disaster.

Patrick Hardy