FEMA reimburses certain emergency protective measures taken in the face of a disaster under its Public Assistance (PA) program. Here's a breakdown of the key eligibility criteria:

Applicant Eligibility:

• Eligible Applicants:
  • State, territorial, tribal, and local governments
  • Certain private non-profit organizations (as determined by FEMA)

Measures Taken:

• Direct Threat: The measures must address an immediate threat to life, public health, or safety caused by the declared disaster.
• Preventative Actions: The actions must be necessary to prevent or minimize the threat, not simply respond to damage already occurred.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The chosen measures should be the most cost-effective way to address the immediate threat.

Examples of Eligible Measures:

• Emergency evacuation and sheltering
• Search and rescue operations
• Traffic control and road closures
• Debris removal that poses an immediate threat (Category A) (e.g., blocking emergency routes, hazardous materials)
• Sandbagging to prevent flooding
• Structural shoring to prevent building collapse
• Firefighting measures (in some cases)

Important Considerations:

• Documentation: Proper documentation is crucial. You need to demonstrate the nature of the threat, the actions taken, and how they addressed the immediate threat.
• Timeframe:  Emergency protective measures are typically short-term actions taken in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
• Public vs. Private Property: While measures often focus on public property, FEMA may authorize  limited  actions on private property in specific situations to address immediate threats to public health or safety.

What's Not Typically Eligible:

• Long-Term Recovery:  Measures focused on permanent repairs or long-term recovery are generally not eligible under emergency protective measures.  These might be covered under FEMA's permanent work programs.
• Normal Operations:  Costs associated with an entity's regular operations, even if increased due to the disaster, are not eligible for reimbursement.

Resources for More Information:

• FEMA Public Assistance: Category A - Debris Removal including Private Property Debris: This fact sheet offers details on debris removal as an emergency protective measure: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_pa-category-a-debris-removal-ppdr-factsheet.pdf
• FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG): Chapter 2: Public Assistance Policy, Section V Cost Eligibility ([invalid URL removed]) (This comprehensive guide details eligibility criteria for various cost categories)
• FEMA Eligible Emergency Protective Measures - Fact Sheet: While superseded by a more recent policy document, this fact sheet provides a general overview of eligible measures: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/eligible-emergency-protective-measures

Remember, FEMA regulations can be intricate.  For the latest information and to determine if your specific emergency protective measures qualify for reimbursement, it's vital to consult directly with FEMA.

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