In cases where the damage and debris are so extensive that it exceeds local and state capabilities, FEMA can assign the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a mission to provide debris management assistance in support of the National Response Framework.

There are no “typical” debris management missions – each one is a bit different.  There are two types of mission assignments:  a) Direct Federal Assistance and b) Federal Operations Support.

Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) missions may consist of one or more tasks, including, but not limited to:

• Right of Way (ROW) Debris Removal – Removal, reduction and disposal of debris from the public right of way and other public property, such as parks and schools.
• Emergency Clearance – A roadway clearance mission generally requires moving debris to the median or side of the ROW to allow for emergency traffic.
• Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) – Removal, reduction and disposal of debris from private property, when directed by FEMA.
• Demolition – Removal, reduction and disposal of residential or commercial structures.
• Debris Removal from Drainage Structures – Removal, reduction and disposal of debris from natural streams, reservoirs and engineered channels.
• Waterway/Wet Debris – Removal, reduction and disposal of debris from coastal waters where the debris impedes navigation or produces a hazard to safety.
• CDM - The Contaminated Debris Management (CDM) Mission results from a detonation that creates general construction debris, and the like, that is contaminated with a hazardous material or a chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear agent; Mission assignments could include Emergency Clearance, Structural Instability, Demolition, long-term debris removal and technical assistance.
• Dead Animal Carcasses – Removal of dead animals is considered debris (paragraph is within the ACI specifying dead animals as debris); location of the carcass determines the type of debris: on the road – right of way debris; on private property – PPDR; in the water – waterway debris

USACE Mission Capabilities – FOS or DFA Technical Assistance / Technical Monitoring Missions

• Assistance to local governments in developing debris removal contracts include estimating debris quantities, preparing scopes of work for debris removal and quality assurance oversight, and assistance with environmental issues.
• Assistance with training and coordination of FEMA and Local government debris monitors.
• Providing FEMA with oversight of State and/or local debris operations

Good-to-Knows

• Usually the largest Corps mission, funding, and personnel.
• Requires experienced/knowledgeable personnel to guide initial planning.
• Requires team effort: FEMA, USACE, ACI Contractor, other ESFs, and State/Local governments.
• Debris Clearance: Moving debris off roadway.
• Debris Removal: Load, haul, reduce, and dispose of debris.
• Disposal sites are key to scoping the mission.
• Units reported in cubic yard or tons. It is important to maintain debris volume records even if units are not contracted per cubic yard or ton (e.g., time and material, lump sum).
• Safety of the public, government personnel, military personnel, voluntary organization laborers, and contractors is kept a #1 priority to ensure no further losses incur as a result of debris clearance, removal and disposal operations.
• FEMA debris eligibility requirements can vary with each disaster.

Mission Contracting

Advance Contract Initiative.   ACI Regional Contracts for Debris Management Services (RCDMS) are designed to address the need for emergency debris removal services in response to natural or man-made disasters and emergencies throughout the entire
Contiguous United States (CONUS) and Outside the Contiguous United States(OCONUS) for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories within Region 8 - POD. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not covered by the ACI-RCDMS contracts.

There are currently eight (8) Single Award Task Order Contracts (SATOCs) awarded for the eight (8) unrestricted regions identified in Table 1 below to allow for maximum coverage.

Technical Assistance – The Corps provides assistance to local governments in developing debris removal contracts and assisting with environmental issues, as well as training and coordination of FEMA and local government debris monitors.

Federal Operations Support – The Corps provides oversight for FEMA of state and local debris operations.

There are seven Debris Planning and Response Teams located in district offices in Baltimore, Ft. Worth, Louisville, Mobile, New Orleans, Portland and Sacramento.

Mission: 

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  Haiti Response

  A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team deployed to Port Au Prince, Haiti under a USAID mission assignment for search & rescue/recovery operations, as well as infrastructure assessments in the area, Jan 2010. The primary mission became the recovery efforts of American citizens, and ultimately all remaining victims from the Hotel Montana, a 5-story concrete and masonry structure that suffered a catastrophic pancake-collapse during a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit on Jan. 12, 2010 at 4:53pm. Hotel Montana was a 4-star hotel that was popular for visitors of all nations and foreign dignitaries. The rescue/recovery efforts involved a multinational response of rescue teams. The operation required careful delayering of the collapsed structure for sensitive victim recovery. The USACE mission successfully recovered 66 victims.

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  Photo By: Urban Search and Rescue Team

  VIRIN: 100114-A-A1401-1001
  The US Army Corps of Engineers Urban Search & Rescue Program (US&R Program) deploys specially trained and equipped structural engineers (Structures Specialist Cadre) to augment  FEMA US&R Task Forces, Incident Support Teams, military technical rescue organizations, and general-purpose troops during structural collapse incidents and other disaster response missions.
• This rescue engineering capability provides technical support and advice to task force leaders and commanders to assess damage, mitigate hazards, enable safe entry, and assure mobility throughout a disaster site to enable rescue and lifesaving operations.
• The US&R Program develops doctrine, training programs, and national standards for structural collapse response operations, conducts initial training courses, advanced coursework, exercises, and continuing education for ALL Structures Specialists (StS) from USACE, FEMA and State US&R Task Forces and others, under Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 of the National Response Framework.
• On order, the program also deploys its Cadre to conduct heavy structural assessments, in support of ESF #3 requirements and other military/civil contingency requirements (e.g., 2006-2022 Hurricanes, 2017/18 Wildfires, 2019 Ridgecrest EQ, COVID-19 Missions).  

Additional Mission Capabilities:

• Provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions regarding rescue efforts.
• Provide other agency technical support (e.g., FBI, DEA, ATF, NIST, etc.).
• Support to the HQ USACE Civil Military Emergency Preparedness Program, and other international requirements. 

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Background:  The National US&R Response System was established in response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. USACE was formally tasked by US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) in 1991 to develop a cadre of specially trained structural engineers for worldwide response. The pilot training course was conducted in 1992, when formation of the USACE Structures Specialist Cadre was initiated. Notable deployments include Oklahoma City Bombing (1995), the World Trade Center (2001), the Haiti earthquake response (2010) and the Champlain Tower Collapse in Surfside, FL 2021.   

Facts: The HQ USACE US&R Program is managed out of SPD and maintains a Cadre of StS from across the USACE Enterprise. The “Structures Specialist” position is a formal position on a FEMA US&R Task Force, which has intensive rescue and disaster engineering training and certification requirements. The StS brings engineering expertise to the US&R Task Force. They receive specialized instruction in structural collapse patterns, hazard identification, building monitoring, rapid assessment of buildings, building triage and marking systems, advance shoring and shoring calculations.  The StS position has also become standard in many State and Military rescue organizations.

Urban Search and Rescue is a dangerous undertaking conducted in fully or partially collapsed structures in austere environments.  These structures are typically multi-storied, containing heavy debris with a high potential for additional collapse.  The StS evaluates damaged structures and hazards in order to mitigate and reduce risks to rescue personnel and victims during rescue operations. StS deploy within 6 hours of notification with an equipment cache and are able to self-sustain for 72 hours to a limited degree. Mission durations are typically 6-10 days for 24/7 lifesaving operations. 

FEMA can deploy a Type 1 Task Force, which includes only 2 StS for continuous 24-hr operations. Large scale, heavy structural disaster missions require much more disaster engineering resources, which the USACE US&R Program provides. The USACE StS Cadre is an essential component of FEMA US&R Task Forces and many other partners.

 

Following a natural disaster or emergency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide state and local officials with a variety of support regarding emergency power needs at critical public facilities in support of FEMA as part of the federal government’s unified national response under the National Response Framework.

The Corps has Emergency Power Planning and Response Teams throughout the country with the capability to deploy and provide support ranging from technical expertise to “turn key” installation of emergency generators at critical public facilities, such as hospitals and shelters.

The Emergency Power PRTs work closely with the 249th Engineer Battalion, who provides technical expertise and performs assessments to determine the generator required at each facility, as well as, the connection materials required at critical public facilities during emergencies.

The Emergency Power PRTs work closely with FEMA, the Department of Energy, local and state entities, and contractors to execute this mission.

Key Points on the Emergency Power Mission PRTs

• Emergency Power PRTs, 249th Engineering Battalion and contractors can provide many services during emergency situations, which include:
  • Assessing the emergency power requirements needed at a facility
  • Assessing the conditions and capabilities of existing emergency generation equipment
  • Installation, operations, fueling and maintenance of emergency power generation equipment
  • Safety inspections and damage assessments of electrical distribution systems and equipment
  • Preparation and installation of generators, along with their operation and maintenance
  • De-installation and return of generators once the normal power grid is operational.
• During emergency power response activities, priorities are ultimately determined by state and/or local officials and fall into the following categories:
  • Life saving (911 centers, police and fire stations and medical facilities)
  • Life sustaining (shelters, water and wastewater treatment and pumping facilities)
  • Other municipal facilities to reinstitute local command and control and post-event recovery

Eligibility

Temporary Housing eligibility is determined by FEMA. Applicants must call 1-800-621-FEMA to apply for assistance. FEMA qualifies the applicants for assistance then passes the eligible to USACE to provide a housing unit when USACE is tasked to perform mission execution.

Critical Public Facilities eligibility is determined by FEMA’s Public Assistance Branch. Local Agencies have the option of doing the work themselves and submitting the costs for reimbursement by completing Project Worksheets.

Mission Considerations

Utility locations, specifically sewer and water availability are key considerations for site selection. A thorough environmental analysis must be completed prior to the initiation of construction. Wetlands and culturally sensitive areas must be avoided or mitigated. Construction within the floodplain is prohibited in nearly all situations. Local codes must be considered and coordinated with local agencies. Procurement of modular units for critical public facilities.

Temporary Housing Planning and Response Team

• There are currently six Temporary Housing PRTs located in district offices in Huntington, West Virginia (LRH), Los Angeles, California (SPL), New York, New York (NAN), Jacksonville, Florida (SAJ), St. Paul, Minnesota (MVP) and Huntsville Center (HNC). Each team is comprised of a Management Element and Support Element with the Management Element deploying first as an advance party, and the Support Element following as the mission matures. 

Mission Overview

Augment local public works Applied Technology Council‐20 (ATC‐20) post‐earthquake (or ATC‐45 post‐flood) rapid structural assessment capabilities (primarily residential) following a disaster; and/or to provide a management cell for the full range of technical assistance missions that are not covered by other PRTs.  Sources of technical expertise include local volunteers, professional organizations, other states through EMAC, local hire/contract hire, USACE employees, and other federal agencies.  Mission success requires interagency collaboration (FEMA/USACE/EPA/State/local) during all phases of emergency management (planning, response, recovery, long-term recovery).

USACE Mission Capabilities

• Provide ATC‐20/45 “Just in Time” training for qualified personnel to conduct field assessments
• Provide assessment of structures that warrant more detailed evaluations for special emergency usage (e.g. hospitals to ensure mass care or school auditoriums that might be used for temporary housing)
• Provide a management cell for a broad range of technical assistance and other operations to include electrical, mechanical, geotechnical, environmental, and structural engineers applications, and search and rescue support.
• In coordination with EPA, provide federal support to the water sector. Support can include:
  • Deploying water sector technical specialists to assist with pre/post event‐specific planning and preparation for the rapid evaluation of water and wastewater facilities, treatment units, conveyance

  • Providing liaison to local, county, and state agencies as well as provide regular water sector situation update

  • Providing technical expertise directly to impacted states and facilities as well as equipment, materials, and construction assistance to include but not limited to mobile laboratory capability

Mission Contracting

Advanced Contracting Initiative (ACI) Contract:  NO

The scope of the temporary roofing mission can be very broad and complex. The mission can range from providing technical assistance to FEMA, and state and local governments, to managing and contracting for the installation of blue plastic sheeting onto roofs of damaged homes or public structures (Operation Blue Roof). FEMA usually tasks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when all other resources have been exhausted.

Operation Blue Roof
Operation Blue Roof is managed by the Corps for FEMA. The purpose of Operation Blue Roof is to provide homeowners in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced plastic sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm.

This is a free service to homeowners. Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm; however, there may be a cost to local and state governments.

This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental properties with less than 50 percent structural damage. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for the program. Once the blue roof is installed, the structure must be habitable. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Roofs that are flat, made of clay, slate or asbestos tile do not qualify. Major storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify, as contracted crews only have the ability to remove minor debris from damaged roofs.

The support that Corps can provide FEMA and State and local governments for their Temporary Roofing needs is far ranging.  The capabilities extend from Technical Expertise and Assistance through complete management of a Temporary Roofing mission including the scoping, procurement and installation of temporary roofing repairs.  Assets utilized to fulfill temporary roofing requirements include Corps contracted forces and Temporary Roofing Planning & Response Teams (PRTs) from across Corps.

Temporary Roofing Mission Capabilities

• Technical Assistance: 

Primarily provided by the PRTs, to advise FEMA, State and local governments on the need for Temporary Roofing assistance and to assist in scoping the magnitude of the mission requirements and impacts on the affected communities.  Assess conditions & capabilities of local governments to perform the installation of temporary roofing in their communities.  Provide on the job training to the National Guard, volunteer groups and local governments or contractors that may be involved in the execution of a roofing mission. 

• Real Estate Support: 

Proper Real Estate instruments, Rights of Entry (ROEs), must be in place prior to entering private property.  Acquiring these instruments is normally accomplished by Corps personnel.  However, if the mission is of such magnitude, Corps can task a contractor to assist in acquiring the necessary ROEs for the roofing mission. 

• Other Support/Criteria: 

Pre-scripted mission assignments have been developed that outline the general scope of work with adequate funding to ensure that initial mission execution is completed in a timely manner.   As soon as possible the entire mission should be scoped to determine the magnitude and resources required.  The execution of a temporary roofing mission is based on the current FEMA criteria that at least 50 percent of the roof structure remains standing and is repairable after the storm event in order to qualify for a temporary roof.  The execution of a roofing mission will require logistical support at staging area(s) for equipment, supplies, and materials.

Temporary Roofing Advance Contracting Initiatives

To be prepared to execute the Temporary Roofing Mission, the Corps of Engineers maintains Advance Contracting Initiative Contracts (ACI) for Temporary Roofing for the continental United States, Hawaii and other overseas Territories.  The contractors provide supervision, labor, equipment and materials necessary to make temporary roof repairs, primarily installation of government-furnished plastic sheeting, in support of Corps/FEMA emergency response operations.

These contracts are construction contracts and can be used to purchase any necessary supplies and equipment to include plastic sheeting, if requested by FEMA to accomplish the mission.  Therefore, roofing material procurement, if required, can be acquired by a combination of the ACI contractor or the supporting Corps District contracting office, if requested by FEMA. 

Key Points on the Temporary Roofing Mission

• The 2005 hurricane season became the largest Operation Blue Roof program ever with 193,000 roofs installed as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The previous record was set in 2004 when 134,000 blue roofs were installed after Florida hurricanes Charlie, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan. After Katrina and Rita, the State of Louisiana became the largest single recipient of the season with 82,000 blue roofs. In 2008, 36,235 temporary roofs were installed in Louisiana and Texas as a result of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.  Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, over 76,500 temporary roofs were installed in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  After Hurricane Michael impacted Florida in 2018, 7,800 temporary roofs were installed. 
• There are four Temporary Roofing Planning and Response Teams located in district offices in Nashville, St. Louis, Omaha, and Little Rock.
• A video explaining Operation Blue Roof can be found online at:
   

 

Public Law 84-99, Emergency Response to Natural Disasters, is the Corps of Engineers’ basic authority to provide for emergency activities in support of State and Local governments prior to, during, and after a flood event.  The Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) appropriation provides funding for PL 84-99 authorized activities.  Under PL 84-99, the Corps can provide both emergency technical and direct assistance in response to flood and coastal storms, such as hurricanes and nor’easters.  In addition, the Corps can assist if there is a flood threat from damage caused by earthquakes to flood risk management projects.  The assistance must be requested by the State and it must be supplemental to State and Local actions including resources and capabilities, as well as National Guard assets.  Under PL 84-99, USACE may undertake the following:

 

Disaster Preparedness consists of functions required to ensure that USACE activities are ready to respond to a broad range of disasters and emergencies.  It includes coordination, planning, training, and exercises with key local, state, Tribal and Federal stakeholders/partners under USACE statutory authorities and in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  It provides for the purchase and stockpiling of critical supplies and equipment for flood fighting efforts. Levees and other flood risk management projects are inspected to identify issues that may keep the project from providing reliable flood risk management reduction during the next flood or coastal storm.

 

Emergency Operations, USACE responds to flood and storm-related disasters.  USACE will activate its Emergency Operations Centers to command and control the operation; provide liaisons to FEMA, States, Tribes, and local governments; provide technical assistance and direct assistance for flood fighting; and conduct rescue operations. Technical assistance includes advice on flood fighting methods and techniques, inundation mapping, flood modeling, and historical data.  Direct assistance includes the provision of sandbags, pumps, and other types of flood fight materials, and emergency contracting for raising and stabilizing threatened flood risk management projects.  Post Flood Response is a special authority intended to cover the gap (of up to 10 days) between the end of a disaster and the issuance of a presidential disaster declaration under FEMA Stafford Act authority, and can include actions to clear transportation routes, restore public transportation and critical public facilities, clear blocked water courses, and provide technical assistance. 

 

The Rehabilitation Program provides for the inspection (during the Preparedness phase) and rehabilitation of Federal and non-Federal flood risk management projects damaged or destroyed by floods and coastal storms.  There are approximately 9500 miles of levees in the Rehabilitation Program, and all projects must meet certain standards in order to be eligible for rehabilitation assistance.

 

The Restoration Program provides for the inspection (during the Preparedness phase) and restoration of Federal Coastal Storm Risk Management projects damaged or destroyed by floods and coastal storms.  All projects must meet certain standards in order to be eligible for restoration assistance.

 

Advance Measures assistance may be provided in order to prevent or reduce damages when there is an imminent threat of unusual flooding.  Technical Assistance may be provided when there is a significant potential that an imminent threat of unusual flooding will develop and is provided to Tribes and States to help them prepare for the threat.  Advance Measures projects are temporary projects that provide measures necessary to prevent or reduce impacts of floods that (1) pose a significant threat to life and/or improved property, and (2) are beyond the capability of Tribe/State/local interests to perform in a timely manner.  Advance Measures projects must be engineeringly feasible and capable of being constructed in time to meet the anticipated threat.

 

Drought Assistance may be provided to drought distressed areas.  Drought assistance includes technical assistance, well drilling in limited circumstances, and transportation (but not purchase) of water to drought distressed areas to make up for inadequate supplies of water.

 

Emergency Water Assistance may be provided when a locality is confronted with a source of contaminated water causing or likely to cause a substantial threat to the public health and welfare of the local inhabitants.  Emergency Water Assistance includes technical assistance, purchase of water, transport of water to local water points, delivery of bulk or bottled water to community-level distribution points, temporary connection of a new water supply to the existing distribution system, installation of temporary filtration.

 

Flood Control & Coastal Emergencies USACE has authority under PL 84-99, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (33 U.S.C. 701n) (69 Stat. 186) for emergency management activities. Under PL 84-99, the Chief of Engineers, acting for the Secretary of the Army, is authorized to undertake activities including disaster preparedness, Advance Measures, emergency operations (Flood Response and Post Flood Response), rehabilitation of flood control works threatened or destroyed by flood, protection or repair of federally authorized shore protective works threatened or damaged by coastal storm, and provisions of emergency water due to drought or contaminated source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)
Operations & Maintenance appropriation, category (500), provides funding for NEPP authorized activities.  The following NEPP funding classes are budgeted annually:

 

Continuity of Operations Planning

 

COOP planning focuses on development of the capability for emergency relocation and reconsititution of a USACE (CONUS to include Alaska and Hawaii) activity rendered unusable as a result of either a natural or man-made disaster/event.  The COOP plan is the Commander’s plan of how the command will operate while reconstituting after an event.  The EM office is NOT the overall owner of a Commander’s COOP Plan.  Activities include: identifying specific requirements associated with USACE relocation/reconstitution missions, analyzing resources, establishing organizational and operational procedures, and preparing and publishing contingency plans.  Planning items should include, but are not limited to: command succession, communications, and identification of an Emergency Relocation Facility (ERF).

 

Catastrophic Disaster Response Planning

 

This applies to scenario-specific planning activities of national significance (i.e. hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, etc.) as well as Port Readiness working groups.  Port Readiness is a requirement at some Divisions and Districts where the EM office is a member of a stakeholder working group that meets on a scheduled basis to discuss issues related to a specific port and how USACE can participate from an emergency stand-point.

 

Emergency Operations Center Support (USACE Divisions Only)

 

This generally applies to those activities associated with the operation and maintenance of EOC facilities and associated office space for Division Offices.

 

Additionally NEPP includes the following classes that are executed under out-of-budget cycle funding requests:

 

Continuity of Government

 

This applies to plans to support Federal, State, and local agencies in their efforts to re-establish civil authority lost as a result of a catastrophic natural or man-made disaster.  This is applicable to HQUSACE only and is not an annually budgeted item.

 

Emergency Water Program

 

This applies to requirements of Executive Order 12656 and is applicable to Headquarters, USACE only.  This is not an annually budgeted item.

 

 

 Catastrophic Disaster Training, Exercises, and Corrective Action

 

Typical training and exercise events could include COOP and catastrophic disaster exercises and training that a District or Division may need.  This can also be used for training and exercise related to Port Readiness, for EM personnel only, on a very limited scale.