Statewide FDOT Training

ORLANDO, FL - DSI announced today the successful completion of an important training program for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  Although the State of Florida is already into the 2016 Hurricane Season, preparation never ceases at FDOT.  On July 20th and 21th, over 50 FDOT District Emergency Coordinating Officers, Deputy Emergency Coordinating Officers, Maintenance Managers, and other staff participated in detailed FEMA Public Assistance Program training at the FDOT Florida Turnpike Headquarters facility (on site and via video conference).  Also in attendance were Public Assistance personnel from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  DSI subject matter experts delivered two half-day training sessions covering the entire FEMA recovery process from the onset of a disaster incident through the formulation, maintenance, and closeout of FEMA funded recovery projects.
 
The training focused on the critical actions necessary to maximize eligible federal funding  through a clear understanding of PA grant management requirements, reduction in errors, and incomplete information necessary to the formulation of the project worksheet, identification, elimination of duplication of effort, and the importance of documentation and retention of records throughout the life-cycle of the PA project beginning with damage assessment. DSI staff guided attendees through a review of FDOT District and Central Office roles and responsibilities. 
 
Of particular importance was an overview of changes in FEMA’s Debris Management process requirements.  The Debris Management process has evolved based on lessons learned during disaster recovery operations such as Hurricanes Andrew,  Katrina, Sandy, Florida’s 2004 season, and the massive 2010 Tornado outbreak.  Another major goal of the training was to enhance the integration of response and recovery operations between the Districts with the FDOT Central Office.