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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