Declaration Information
On September 15, 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received an Emergency Disaster Declaration (FEMA-3599-EM-MA) for all counties, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah for Hurricane Lee. This Declaration has activated the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Public Assistance (PA) Program with limited Category B costs for pre-landfall activities for these counties, making federal funding available to local governments, state agencies, and eligible private non-profit organizations for eligible disaster-related costs such as Mass Care (evacuation and sheltering) and EOC operations.
Applicant Briefings
The initial step in seeking funding associated with this Declaration is to participate in an Applicant Briefing, which provides details on eligible expenses and costs incurred as a result of the storm, as well as the reimbursement process for applying for and receiving federal funds under the PA Program. Applicant Briefings for EM-3599 were held on December 19 and 21, 2023.
Each community seeking reimbursement under the PA Program will be required to utilize the FEMA Grants Portal throughout the reimbursement process. The FEMA Grants Portal is the tool Applicants will use to upload their Request for Public Assistance (RPA) as well as all necessary project information and documentation for FEMA review. To register or reset your password for a FEMA Grants Portal account, please contact disaster.recovery@mass.gov prior to your Applicant Briefing.
Virtual Applicant Briefings from December 19 & 21, 2023
Slides: EM-3599 Municipal Slide Deck
Should you have any questions regarding these briefings, please contact a member of the Disaster Recovery Unit at disaster.recovery@mass.gov.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To request an accommodation, please include a description of the accommodation you will need, including as much detail as you can provide. Please also include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Send an e-mail to Sara Parmenter, ADA Coordinator at Sara.L.Parmenter@mass.gov or call 508-820-2060.
Private Non-Profit Information
Private non-profit organizations in the declared counties are encouraged to attend the applicant briefings. Depending on the types of services provided and costs incurred, private non-profits may be eligible for assistance under this PA program.
For more information about PNP eligibility, see FEMA's Public Assistance: Policy and Guidance
PNP applicants must submit their RPA using the Grants Portal and are also required to upload the below PNP documents in the portal as part of their application.
Additional Resources
Open DOC file, 27 KB, Private Nonprofit PNP Application Procedures.doc (English, DOC 27 KB)
Open DOC file, 22.5 KB, Private Nonprofit PNP Certification Form.doc (English, DOC 22.5 KB)
Open DOC file, 48 KB, Private Nonprofit PNP Facility Questionnaire.doc (English, DOC 48 KB)
Eligible Costs
This disaster declaration is limited to Mass Care and EOC Operations, for declared counties that made preparation in anticipation of Hurricane Lee making Landfall. Reimbursement for Mass Care and EOC Operations as part of a Disaster Declaration is limited to Evacuation and sheltering activities in addition to EOC operations. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:
Evacuation Costs:
- Transferring patients from inoperable, compromised, or overwhelmed eligible medical or custodial care facilities to another medical facility or to a shelter;
- Transferring patients back to original medical or custodial care facility, when appropriate;
- Transporting survivors, including shelterees, who require emergency medical care to and from the nearest existing or temporary medical care facility equipped to adequately treat the medical emergency. Transport may include emergency air, sea, or ground ambulance services if necessary;
- Use of equipment such as buses, trucks, or other vehicles (including accessible vehicles) to provide one-time transportation to evacuate survivors and their household pets and service and assistance animals to emergency shelters from pre-established pick-up locations. This includes standby time for drivers and contracted equipment while waiting to transport survivors;
- Use of equipment such as buses, trucks, or other vehicles (including accessible vehicles) to provide one-time transportation to evacuate survivors and their household pets and service and assistance animals to emergency shelters from pre-established pick-up locations. This includes standby time for drivers and contracted equipment while waiting to transport survivors;
Sheltering Costs:
- Facility lease or rent, including space for food preparation;
- Utilities such as power, water, and telephone;
- Minor facility modifications if necessary to make the facility habitable, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), functional as a childcare facility, or functional as an animal shelter;
- Restoration to return the facility to its condition prior to use
- Generator costs; and
- Secure storage space for medical supplies.
- Medical staff;
- Personal assistance service staff;
- Veterinary and animal care staff;
- Public Information Officer;
- Social workers;
- Food service workers;
- Custodial and facilities staff
- Hot and cold meals, snacks, beverages, and related supplies for survivors;
- Cooking and serving supplies;
- Food, water, and bowls for household pets and service and assistance animals;
- Durable medical equipment;
- Consumable medical supplies;
- Medication for animal decontamination and parasite control;
- Infant formula, baby food, and diapers;
- Refrigerators, microwaves, and crock pots;
- Cots, cribs, linens, blankets, pillows, tables, and chairs;
- Personal hygiene kits with items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, towels, and washcloths
EOC Operations
- Increased utility costs;
- Costs to lease a facility;
- Supply costs; and
- Meal costs
Documents
Applicants that are submitting for reimbursement of eligible costs must complete the below Cover Letter and State Workbook to include with their reimbursement documents.