ISC provides nationwide professional support services in carrying out the statutory authorities of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act under the National Response Framework (NRF). Through ISC’s partnership, these services assist FEMA and the agency’s state and local counterparts in response to nationally declared disasters. As part of a nation-wide team network, ISC provides a variety of services, such as: damage assessments, technical analysis, program management, operational and strategic planning support, training development and delivery, policy analysis, grant management, organizational assessment, and other special studies and assignments. These services are provided under the auspices of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), requiring the coordination and rapid mobilization of technical staff and assists in the integration of these personnel into the event’s Incident Command Structure.
Over the years, the ISC team has worked with FEMA to coordinate the rapid mobilization of thousands of technical staff and integrate these personnel into the event’s Incident Command Structure. The ISC team has responded to hundreds of natural hazards, man-made disasters, and incidents of national significance. Our catastrophic response and recovery experience includes the 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks, the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricanes, Hurricane Katrina, the 2008 Midwest Floods, 2012 Hurricane Sandy and 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
ISC’s team has rapidly mobilized personnel to respond to over 40 federally declared disasters and emergencies, including several of our nation’s most catastrophic events. These events include the 2008 Midwest Floods, Hurricane Ike, September 11th Attacks, the 2004 Florida hurricanes, 2005 Hurricanes Katrina/Rita, and 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. These catastrophic events are all rated as the top 10 costliest disasters, with estimated losses of over $500 Billion.
01
In preparation of the seasoned events, ISC participated in the development of Catastrophic Disaster Housing Strategy which provided national guidance for FEMA and its federal partners by identifying options to address the housing needs created by a catastrophic event. ISC researched housing alternatives, performed cost-benefit analysis, and implementation procedures that would be required following a catastrophic event. This analysis resulted in a database of housing alternatives that could be prioritized based on different parameters.
02
Following catastrophic disasters, ISC provides technical programmatic support to Emergency Support Function (ESF) 14: Long-term Community Recovery. ESF 14, led by the DHS: FEMA, augments and provides support to local and state catastrophic disaster recovery efforts. ESF 14 fulfills this objective by cultivating the long-term vision of the community, facilitating in the development of key stakeholder long-term support, addressing local recovery needs, and a creating a mechanism that will guide the community’s long-term recovery efforts. ISC team members have been part of numerous ESF 14 activations, including the 2003 Midwest tornados, the 2004 hurricane season, Hurricane Katrina/Rita, 2008 Midwest Floods, and 2008 Hurricane Ike.
03
ISC provided nationwide support for FEMA’s Debris Management Planning initiative under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, Public Law 109.295. This initiative directs FEMA to implement programmatic improvements to the Public Assistance (PA) Program by creating an incentive-based initiative for local and state governments to proactively develop procedures and policies for debris management operations.
04
ISC provided instructor support services in the delivery of disaster operation training sessions for Federal employees; state emergency management representatives; and contracting staff. FEMA Headquarters and the national instructor coordinator routinely recognize ISC staff as premier instructors that provide proficiency and knowledge of disaster operations.
05
ISC assisted FEMA in the development and delivery of DHS Appropriations Act of 2007, Public Law 109.295. This law, established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, directs FEMA to implement programmatic improvements to the PA Program by creating an incentive-based initiative for local and state governments to proactively develop procedures and policies for debris management operations.
06
ISC provides technical assistance in identifying post-disaster damaged facilities, performing cost estimates of the damaged facilities, and identifying those costs that would be eligible for funding through the Section 404 and 406 Hazard Mitigation Measures. ISC’s experience in providing innovative, cost-effective solutions to modern urban infrastructure problems has been a valuable asset to FEMA’s Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Programs.
07
Being intimately familiar with the local, state, and federal perspectives of the disaster declaration process and PA operations, ISC used cutting-edge technologies to develop tools to improve the preliminary damage assessment process and managing recovery activities. ISC’s innovative tools are recognized as cutting-edge technologies and operational best practices.
08
ISC was requested by FEMA’s Disaster Response & Recovery Directorate to develop an evaluation system for assessing the effectiveness of the NRF to provide a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to catastrophic recovery operations.