Disasters have become a reality of our modern world. As communities and their infrastructures grow more complex, so do the challenges involved with response and recovery from catastrophic events. Success regarding disaster readiness and response begins with a well rounded, experienced team of professionals with unique technical disciplines who are ready to plan, prepare, respond, and recover from the effects of disasters, regardless of size or complexity.
E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc. (E2) has provided disaster response personnel supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) emergency response and recovery actions since 2004. From comprehensive debris operations to expert grant management, E2 has provided services through our work as Technical Assistance Contractors under FEMA contract to respond more effectively to—and recover more quickly from—disasters of all kinds. E2 has also supported the USACE on disaster response operations, ranging from debris removal to preparing demolition plans. Together with our customers, we champion practical solutions to tough problems and help clients successfully navigate the public and individual assistance programs. Integration of preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and project closeout ensures our team has a back to front understanding of disaster management.
Our uniquely qualified team stands ready to respond to any disaster in any capacity to ensure our clients receive the best possible guidance and technical assistance available. Our project management team members have orchestrated some of the most complex projects our nation has ever had to face, and we stand ready for what tomorrow may bring.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Under the FEMA Technical Assistance Contract, E2 has rapidly mobilized field personnel for numerous disaster recovery efforts. The field roles for these Technical Specialist have included:
- Program Development
- Debris Specialists
- Project Specialists
- Project Officers
- Cost Estimators
- Debris Monitors
- Quality Assurance
- Project Management for Private Property and Debris Removal
- Demolition Specialists
The E2 team also developed a Large Project Tracking System and a comprehensive electronic library, which has over 1,500 documents related to FEMA operations, for the Florida Long Term Recovery Office (FLTRO) Closeout Specialists, Response and Operations personnel. The Large Project Tracking System has been utilized to track the Enhanced Mitigation Project figures in the FLTRO, which feeds the new Disaster Recovery Interactive (DRIVE) web-based tracking and reporting system. Based on these successes, our client has recently tasked our team to develop a Debris Management Tool to improve readiness for upcoming storm seasons.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
E2′s personnel seamlessly integrated into a prime contractor’s recovery team and worked closely with the USACE personnel to safely and efficiently conduct the debris removal mission in Louisiana during the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Mission. E2′s Quality Control, Site Superintendents, and Health & Safety personnel provided field management and oversight for a wide variety of operations including:
- Household hazardous waste segregation
- Curbside debris pickup
- Removal of leaning trees and hanging branches
- Debris size reduction operations
- Canal cleaning
- Curbside asbestos segregation
E2′s environmental staff led the effort to identify and prepare new debris reduction sites for operational startup and conducted post-operations close-out activities. This process included:
- Coordination with USACE National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) personnel for site selection
- Conducting modified Phase 1 Site Assessments to document past land use and baseline environmental conditions
- Preparing site operations and traffic plans compliant with the USACE EM-385-1-1
- Conducting post-operational sampling to validate that operations had not impacted the area
E2′s engineering staff also prepared the Deactivation and Decommissioning (D&D) Plans for homes destroyed by the hurricanes in Plaquemines and Orleans Parishes. These plans incorporated the USACE EM-385-1-1 safety requirements, waste segregation requirements, and contingencies for identification and protection of historic properties and artifacts. These plans required:
- Pre-D&D assessments of each property to document the as-found site conditions
- Assessment of structures to identify likely areas for household hazardous waste (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms, garages, etc.) and electronic waste (living rooms, bedrooms, etc.)
- Conducting utility isolations prior to demolition
- Size reduction of the structures and load out the waste material
- Post-D&D photo documentation of the final site conditions
