Responding to a disaster is the responsibility of local governments. 
Emergency plans are put into place and municipalities and volunteer organizations work to assist. Cities and counties know that successful recovery from a disaster is dependent on the emergency plans that are put in place before a catastrophic event takes place.
The same should go for the contracts that ensure that cities and counties are protected and able to receive recovery reimbursement funding. The financial strain and economic impact that According to The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it is best to have a plan in place before a disaster occurs. FEMA is the federal agency that ensures correct reimbursement is given to the disaster area. Pre-existing disaster contracts reduce the risk that relief efforts could be delayed.
The moment of a disaster is not the time to put relief efforts in place.
AshBritt Environmental is a national rapid-response disaster recovery and special environmental services contractor. For more information, visit www.ashbritt.com.
“It absolutely makes more sense,” Veronica Verde, External Affairs Officer with FEMA, told PublicCEO. “As long as it was competitively bid and complies with federal and state procurement standards, it is definitely better to have a pre-existing contract in place.”