Tidal Basin supported Hawaii with disaster recovery, FEMA grant management, and hazard mitigation, assisting HI-EMA in response, preparedness, and funding allocation.
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Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Disaster Response and Recovery Support Services for the State of Hawai’i Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
Mitigation
Project Dates: July 2013 to Present
Prime Contractor: Tidal Basin
Project Overview
Tidal Basin has been an instrumental partner to the State of Hawaii for over 10 years, offering unparalleled island familiarity and State-specific expertise. We have managed 15 major disaster declarations, totaling more than $1.8 billion across programs, including FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, and other federal and state programs. Our collaboration with Michael Baker International (Michael Baker) and MLU Services (MLU) continues to bolster Hawaii’s resilience and infrastructure against future disasters.
Be stronger than before
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Case Study Disaster Response and Recovery Support Services for the State of Hawai’i Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
Solutions
Responded to 15 Major Disaster Declarations
DR-4724-HI Maui Wildfires In August 2023, high winds and dry weather sparked wildfires in Lāhainā, Upper Kula, Pūlehu/Kihei and Ka’anapali on the island of Maui. The largest devastation took place in Lāhainā Town where more than 2,000 structures were destroyed. Seven days later, Tidal Basin had a team of debris management and monitoring experts onsite providing Category A guidance to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA). Our debris management team was demobilized three weeks after the fire to allow time for search and rescue (SAR) operations, U.S. EPA environmental assessments and hazard elimination, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) planning. When debris removal in Lāhainā Town commenced in January 2024, we provided oversight of debris operational data/documentation to minimize overspending by USACE contractors, protect the State and Maui County’s environmental and cultural Tidal Basin also provided surge staffing at the State and Maui County EOCs, oversaw the initial disaster response Starlink remote communications, stood up and are currently operating the state disaster hotline, developed a customized technology solution to assist with applicant intake and case management, performed site and environmental inspections, and provided executive level consulting for all facets of the event. We are currently providing a project management office (PMO) interests, and ensure operations were managed with local interests in mind. to oversee the State’s long-term housing mission. Our team is also aiding with the documentation of event-related damages and reimbursement application preparation for the State and County. DR-4201 Puʻu ʻŌʻō Volcanic Eruption and Lava Flow Tidal Basin guided the State and the County of Hawai‘i in implementing the PA program in response to widespread threat from approaching lava flows. Our efforts allowed the
multitude of applicants involved in emergency protective measures to move their operations out of harm’s way and properly document their activities in accordance with the program. This also included a massive operation to improve local roads to provide necessary emergency access to the affected population in anticipation of the lava flow impeding the only available existing route. DR-4365 Sever Storms, Flooding, and Landslides; DR-4366 Kilauea Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes Tidal Basin currently provides expert guidance to State and County agencies of Hawai’i affected by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Our staff is working side-by- side with each applicant, assisting them with the required utilization of the FEMA Grants Portal. As projects become obligated, we are continuing the program closeout process to expedite the release of funding to the sub- recipients. On behalf of the State of Hawai‘i, we are in negotiations with FEMA for the proper implementation of the 428 Public Assistance Alternative Procedures (PAAP) Pilot Program for estimating facilities destroyed by lava. Our team has been successful in justifying, submitting, and reconciling allocated costs for 406 HMP projects. Tidal Basin was instrumental in identifying the correct HMP costs for replacing twin 72” CMP culverts with a concrete box culvert. We also succeeded in having FEMA accept replacing a CMU park comfort station with two mobile trailers so the facilities could be moved if another event occurs. FM-5294 Hawai‘i Kahana Ridge Fire Tidal Basin provided support and grant management services in developing, submitting, and closing out FMAG project worksheets. A FEMA Region 9 FMAG coordinator commented that our project worksheets were the most thorough and complete he had ever seen.
Developed 50 Hazard Mitigation Grant Applications
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Case Study Disaster Response and Recovery Support Services for the State of Hawai’i Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
Solutions (cont’d.)
DR-4194 TS Iselle Tidal Basin was instrumental in training and guiding the Hawai‘i Department of Public Works in setting up a self-debris monitoring operation for their extensive debris removal process recognized by FEMA. Identified and negotiated incorrect work category assignments. By correcting the category assignment (Category A-Debris Removal), the sub-recipient utilized the PA Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for debris removal, authorized by the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. This allowed them to receive funding for straight time, labor and expenses and increased federal cost shares, which was afforded by the pilot program’s sliding-scale procedure. Tidal Basin conducted training for state and local officials on the PA process and debris removal operations. Assisted the state with PW formulation. A roof repair PW was initially written for approximately $29,000. Our team, in cooperation with the sub-recipient, established historical costs based on competitively bid contracts, raising the project costs to $214,000 – a 738% increase over the original amount. Provided strategic advice to the State on appeals. Originally, the Hawaii National Guard was deemed ineligible for reimbursement because the Guard does not incur overtime. Tidal Basin demonstrated that all costs borne
by the State for the Guard (while engaged in eligible work) were in fact eligible; adding approximately $250,000 to the State’s eligible cost reimbursement. DR-4282 Maui County Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides Tidal Basin provided Grantee-level grant management services to aid all Maui County and State applicants through the Public Assistance (PA) process. Our team continues to provide closeout services and guidance for reconciling open projects that were significantly underestimated by FEMA, including adding 406 mitigation proposals where applicable. DR-4510 Hawai‘i COVID-19 Pandemic Tidal Basin supported the State’s response and recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, including all FEMA PA Program grant management activities and CARES Act support. Our team was instrumental in overseeing Mass Feeding Programs and providing guidance for compliance with FEMA requirements for reimbursement. All Hawai‘i Disasters from 2006 DR 1664 to 2022 DR 4639 Tidal Basin continues to provide guidance for open projects and closeout services.
State of Hawai’i Key Project Highlights • Technical Assistance • Individual Assistance • Debris Monitoring • Training • Disaster Recovery • PW Formulation • Strategic Advice • Program Implementation • PA Program Delivery Model Implementation • Grant Management • Surge Staffing
Resilience Delivered
Tidal Basin’s extensive time on the islands continues to provide us with a working knowledge of the State’s historical and cultural concerns, as well as logistical and environmental challenges. As demonstrated by our swift response to the Maui Wildfires, the combined capabilities of
the Tidal Basin Team, including Michael Baker and MLU, enable us to provide added value to the state with long-term disaster wrap- around services for housing and infrastructure programs, allowing us to continues to bolster Hawaii’s resilience against future disasters.
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