Recovery Operations 

Recovery Operations is responsible for coordinating long-term recovery efforts, promoting resiliency throughout local jurisdictions, and providing technical assistance to disaster-impacted communities to support the identification and implementation of community recovery projects and programs. 

Within the Recovery Operations there are:  Individual Assistance and Readiness, Recovery Support Functions (RSFs), and Recovery Planning. Our staff coordinate with state and local agencies, communities, organizations, and individuals regarding how best to promote resiliency efforts throughout local communities, identify critical community functions both before and after a disaster to prioritize effective recovery operations, facilitate community preparedness and support post-disaster community recovery.

Individual Assistance and Readiness 

Individual Assistance (IA) and Readiness supports local government requests for emergency assistance and coordinating with federal, state, local, and voluntary/PNP entities to provide recovery assistance to individuals, households and small businesses. 

• Individuals, Households, and Businesses
  
  • Voluntary Agencies, are often ready to step in and help take care of immediate needs. These organizations may be able to assist with sheltering or hotel vouchers, food, or clothing. 
    
    • Louisiana 2-1-1 
      
      • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including times of disaster.
      • Confidential and free services.
      • Reach a live 211 specialist during limited hours by texting your zip code to 898-211.
      • Provides multilingual services and information for the hearing impaired.
      • Maintains a computerized database of resources and services statewide.
      • Works in collaboration with non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and government.
    • The Salvation Army – a Christian denominational church and international charitable organization, has a reported 1.5 million worldwide membership. Their calling is to serve the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their “physical and spiritual needs.”
  • Insurance is the first resource in recovering from a disaster. Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report your losses, review your coverage, and answer any questions. The Louisiana Department of Insurance provides assistance with insurance issues and can be reached by calling 1-800-259-5300 or by visiting the Department of Insurance website.
  • Local Programs, services, and/or fee waivers may be available to assist with recovery efforts. Contact your local city or parish for additional information. 
  • State and Federal Programs may be requested if the Governor determines that recovery appears to be beyond the combined resources of both the local and state government. Based on the magnitude and severity of the event, assistance may be requested from Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and may include the Individuals and Household Program (IHP) to assist with home repairs, temporary housing, and other needs. Depending on the disaster, recovery assistance may also include programs, such as Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Legal Services. 
  • In the absence of federal assistance, residents affected by a disaster may need to rely on personal resources and assistance from local programs and/or voluntary organizations.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and certain private nonprofit organizations in areas declared a disaster by SBA. 
    
    • Physical Damage Loans are for permanent rebuilding and replacement of uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged privately-owned real and/or personal property. SBA makes physical disaster loans to qualified homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain private nonprofit organizations.
    • Economic Disaster Injury Loans are for businesses or private nonprofit organizations who are located in a declared disaster area, and suffered substantial economic injury as a direct result of a declared disaster.
  • Local Jurisdictions 

It is the responsibility of the local jurisdiction to provide initial damage estimates (IDE) and determine if the extent of damage is beyond the capabilities of local resources. 

Based on the IDE, a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) may be conducted when pursuing federal assistance to determine the impact and magnitude of damage. The PDA will consist of a team of local, state, and federal representatives.

Once a PDA is conducted, GOHSEP uses the information to determine whether federal assistance is warranted. The Recovery Operations Section can assist local representatives in identifying the need to establish a Local Assistance Center (LAC) and specific resources to assist the community in its recovery efforts. 

Recovery Support Functions

By Executive Order (EO) BJ 14-9, the State of Louisiana created a State-level Recovery Support Function (RSF) structure to align with the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).  The State RSF framework guides federal, state, local, private and voluntary/nonprofit entities in effectively supporting disaster-impacted jurisdictions to address gaps and rebuild resiliently. The purpose of State RSF framework is to identify long term recovery solutions and leverage resources after disasters to address the unmet needs of impacted jurisdictions through whole-community engagement. The State RSF framework promotes recovery and resilience priorities as well as supports local governments by facilitating problem solving, improving access to resources and by fostering coordination among state and federal agencies, nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.

• RSF 1 – Community Planning and Capacity Building 
• RSF 2 – Economic 
• RSF 3 – Health & Social Services 
• RSF 4 – Housing 
• RSF 5 – Infrastructure Systems 
• RSF 6 – Natural & Cultural Resources