The Heritage Emergency National Task Force and FEMA, along with numerous New Jersey State partners, cosponsored a forum on federal disaster aid at Monmouth University on December 15, 2012. The forum provided information that cultural heritage stewards need to know about applying for federal disaster aid in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. FEMA specialists explained how to apply to the Public Assistance program for repairs to structures and the recovery of collections; discussed FEMA’s collections policies; and described the Individual Assistance program. A Small Business Administration (SBA) specialist explained how to apply for an SBA loan. Foundation and emergency grants available to artists and cultural organizations were also explored briefly. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session.

This program was cosponsored by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force in cooperation with the following New Jersey state partners: The Council on  the Arts, the Council for the Humanities, the Historic Preservation Office, the Historical Commission, the State Library, the State Archives, and the New Jersey Association of Museums. The forum was hosted by the Lincroft, New Jersey, FEMA office.

A summary of the event was written by FEMA External Affairs Program Liaison Specialist Suzy Witten.

Meeting Agenda:

1. Welcome: Alan Z. Aiches, FEMA 

2. Opening Remarks: Lori Foley, Vice President, Emergency Programs, Heritage Preservation

3. Leadership Comments: William Vogel, Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA

4. Applicants and the Public Assistance Program: Aaron Hartwell, Public Assistance Policy Advisor, FEMA

5. National Historic Preservation Act – FEMA’s Application of the Act and Defining In-Kind Repairs to National Register Properties:  Julie Weisgerber, Historic Preservation Specialist, FEMA

6. FEMA’s Collections Policy Affecting Private-Nonprofits, Local, Regional and State Museum Collections:  Alan Z. Aiches, Collections Specialist, FEMA  

7. From A to Z - Art Museums to Zoos and Everything in Between:  Non-Critical Nonprofits and the Small Business Administration [SBA]: Adrianne LaNeave, SBA Public Affairs Specialist

8. Applicants and the Insurance Program: Bill Webber, Insurance Specialist, FEMA

9. Applicants and the Individual Assistance Program: Anthony Vargas, Individual Assistance Specialist, FEMA

10. Foundations and Emergency Grants

11. Open Mic:  FAQ’s and Q & A
    
    

Additional Information:

The deadline for applying to FEMA for federal disaster aid in New Jersey is December 30, 2012.

Your completed Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form can be faxed to:
732-345-3194 or 609-882-1694

Have questions about FEMA’s Private Nonprofit (PNP) Public Assistance program? Call 800-621-3362

The deadline for applying to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a loan in New Jersey is December 30, 2012.

For information about SBA loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, equipment, and business assets that have been damaged in a disaster, click here.
Questions? Call 800-659-2955

Standards for Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, 1995

For Artists
Recommendations to Benefit You (prepared by Artisin with Amy Schwartzman)

Hurricane Sandy Disaster Assistance and Information for the New Jersey Arts Sector (prepared on behalf of the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response)