Title
Vote to approve the on-call contract with WithersRavenel to provide Disaster Consultant Services
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Chatham County remains proactive in preparing for natural and man-made disasters through emergency planning, a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The county has experienced five Federally declared disasters since 2016, and numerous emergencies that while impactful, did not meet a formal declaration threshold. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program, which provides supplemental grants to local governments, certain types of private non-profits, and others, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies, has become increasingly complex and time consuming over that time. Assessment activities must be set in motion immediately after impact which determine eligibility for this assistance, and a failure to meet requirements may result in delays, or ineligibility for Chatham County government, or our community as a whole.
Discussion & Analysis: Natural and man-made disasters will continue to happen with intense storms that Chatham County is prone to such as hurricanes, ice storms and drought. Disaster Consultant Services may be used after future disasters to meet local, State, and Federal grant requirements for recovery and mitigation projects.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan:
Budgetary Impact: None
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve the on-call contract with WithersRavenel to provide Disaster Consultant Services