Eisman and Russo Consulting Engineers

Home Browse Search

I I I I I I I EMERGENCY DEBRIS DISPOSAL MANAGEMENT Rapid Response Recruitino & Traininq Through our contacts with local employment agencies as well as through public response to our posted flyers and bulletins within the affected storm damaged areas, we are able to identify, interview, test, train, hire and put to work large numbers of the most capable yet temporarily displaced local work force to fill the ever changing needs and varied dynamics typically associated with emergency recovery work. Our proven program for involving the local work force in the recovery efforts while providing much needed economic relief has acquired industry-wide acclaim in the field of Emergency Management. New debris monitors are given an intensive three day training program held by debris area managers and field supervisors. Each new monitor is assigned to a senior level monitor for each of the three days of training. The three specific areas of training are: ).> Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) and Worker Safety (OSHA) - During this training, candidates are taught the basic fundamentals of proper lane closures, advance warning signs, and basic heavy equipment safety procedures. ).> Road-Side Pick-Up Procedures, Public Safety, and Debris Load Documentation - During this phase of training, candidates are exposed to actual field pick-up operations, and are taught the proper procedures (Load Ticket Documentation) needed to document location, type, and quantity of debris being removed. I I I ).> Temporary Debris Staging and Reduction Site (TDSRS) Management - During this final phase of training, monitor candidates are placed at one of the several Temporary Debris Staging and Reduction Sites and are given hands-on training on the proper procedures and methods for assessing truck load volumes, verifying truck certifications, monitoring debris segregation, and proper debris handling and dumping, including on-site burning, chipping, and final disposal. I I I I I I I I I Experienced Field Supervisors are assigned to oversee specific work zones based on anticipated volumes of debris and number of contractor work crews within each area, Field Monitors are assigned from one to five individual work crews depending on individual experience and capabilities as well as geographical constraints which might exist within certain work zones. Our ability to make rapid changes to accommodate varying work crews and changing field conditions allows us to operate with the highest level of quality control. As a result, we can insure that the contractor's operations will never go unsupervised due to lack of trained and qualified personnel. IV. EXPERIENCE WITH FEMA REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of Procedures Due to our participation in the restoration effort in Broward County after 2004 and 2005 Hurricanes the Target Team has been involved in the preparation 3,000 FEMA Project Worksheets. As a result, we became intimately aware of the intricacies of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and the corresponding funding mechanisms used by FEMA for reimbursing the cost of repairs and of hazard mitigation measures. In assessing the eligibility of projects for federal funding we are knowledgeable of the following guidelines that should be reviewed: ).> Public Assistance Guide, FEMA 322, October 1999 ).> Public Assistance Policy Digest, FEMA 321, October 1998 ).> Public Assistance Debris Management Guide, FEMA 325, April 1999 ).> Public Assistance Debris Operations Job Aid, FEMA 9580.1, August 2000 ).> FEMA Policies-Located in the Policies Section ).> FEMA Website-Policy Section-Appeals ).> Debris Eligibility Reference Table-Located in the Policies Section Generally, debris that is blocking streets and highways is considered a threat to public health and safety because it may prohibit passage of emergency vehicles or block access to emergency facilities such as hospitals and shelters. Therefore, clearance of roadways is often a high priority. Emergency work, including debris removal, can begin immediately after the event and does not require pre-approval from FEMA 8