Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance

In response to Governor Deval Patrick’s request, President Barack Obama signed the Major Disaster Declaration for 6 counties in the Commonwealth.  Public Assistance will be available for Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Plymouth and Suffolk Counties. Under this Public Assistance Program, affected local governments, state agencies and various eligible private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for federal funds to be reimbursed for 75% of the approved cost of protective measures, storm-related overtime costs for first responders,  clearing debris from public roads and public property, and repairing, replacing, restoring or reconstructing damaged public facilities and infrastructure.

 Applicant Briefing:

All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the MEMA Applicant Briefings listed below. 

Request for Public Assistance (RPA)

In order to be considered for FEMA reimbursements your RPA must be submitted to MEMA by: FEBRUARY 1, 2013

Applicants must include who the Authorized Agent (who can sign contracts) on the RPA:  Request For Public Assistance (RPA) 

FEMA PA Field Guide

In order to streamline their national policies and improve delivery of the Public Assistance program, FEMA has instituted this Public Assistance (PA) Field Guide.  This Guide provides direction but it is not intended to be a comprehensive manual for program delivery.

FEMA Pocket Guide - September 2012 

FEMA Pocket Guide Training - Final Draft - 091212  file size 1MB

Debris Removal

For Hurricane Sandy ONLY, straight time for force account labor for debris removal is eligible for reimbursement. Straight Time Debris Removal - Sandy ONLY 

Debris removal on Federal Highway eligible roads is now covered by FEMA. Permanent work is not covered and must go through the FHWA program.  Debris Removal on Federal-Aid Highways (Fact Sheet) (9580.214)   

Click link for these Federal Highway eligible roads

Debris Removal from Waterways: Debris Removal from Waterways (9523.5)  file size 2MB

FEMA Project Worksheets:

These workbooks should be used to report all incurred costs.  Applicants must provide backup documentation (certified payrolls, invoices, and proof of payment – cancelled check/warrant) for everything on the worksheets.

• FEMA's Project Worksheet Forms (Excel 1997-2003) V1 
• FEMA's Project Worksheet Forms (Excel 2007 & 2010) V1  file size 4MB
• FEMA`s SCHEDULE OF EQUIPMENT RATES (9-15-10) 
• Elements of a Project Worksheet (9580.5)  file size 1MB

Private Nonprofit (PNP) Forms: 

FEMA has specific guidelines for PNP eligibility.  To see if you are eligible, please see the forms below. If you believe you are eligible, please fill out the appropriate forms and return them with your RPA.

• • PNP Application Procedures 
  • PNP Certification 
  • PNP Questionnaire 
  • Private Nonprofit (PNP) Facility Eligibility (9521.3)  file size 3MB

 Useful information and policies:

• Mutual Aid Agreements for PA and Fire Mgmt Assistance (9523.6) 
• Eligible Costs Related to Evacuations and Sheltering (9523.15) 
• Eligible Sand Replacement on Public Beaches (9580.8)  file size 1MB

For additional information see the MEMA Public Assistance webpage and the FEMA policy publications webpage