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FEMA disaster inspectors to be in Shelby County July 26-Aug. 1, be advised they will have proper ID

Center Broadcasting advised Monday that Shelby County has been added to the Texas counties eligible for diaster assistance from spring storms and rain.
 
According to Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison, these inspectors willl be wearing identification badges that includes their name and what department they work for which will be FEMA.  They should be here next week which will be July 26-August 1.  
 
Shelby County has officially been added to the declaration for DR-4223. FEMA inspectors will begin making appointments with residents that applied for assistance.  This information should be released to the public so that the citizens are aware in order to limit the number of phone calls inquiring about inspections. 
 
 
INFORMATION ON INSPECTIONS
 
In all presidentially declared counties for Individual Assistance, when an
applicant registers with FEMA and becomes eligible for a Damaged Housing
Inspection, the inspection is sent to a FEMA contractor inspector. The
inspector contacts the applicant to set up an appointment for a time and
date and also goes over what documentation needs to be provided for proof of
residency. Then the inspector meets with the applicant at the residence and
performs their inspection.  
 
 The Inspector 
 
. Contractors perform an adjudicated background check prior to inspector's
activation to work 
 
. Inspector initiates contact with the applicant and sets an appointment
date and time and requests the applicant to have appropriate identification
with occupancy and ownership documents available for viewing at the time of
inspection. Inspectors are trained to view but not confiscate any applicant
provided documentation. 
 
. Occasionally, a site visit is performed when the applicant has been
unresponsive to the inspector's attempts to call or meet or, when
appropriate, the inspector identifies the applicant's damaged dwelling
location to be in a close proximity to a concurrent inspection and when the
applicant appears to be available. 
 
 The inspection 
 
. The scope of an inspection for owners includes the recording of real and
personal property (furnishing and appliances) damages to the interior and
exterior of the dwelling, addressing special needs, transportation, unmet
needs and miscellaneous purchases. Inspectors do not record real property
specifications for renters. Inspectors are allowed to contact landlords to
verify occupancy of rental property. 
 
. Upon the first meeting with the applicant, the inspector introduces
himself presenting his photo identification validating his appointed
position to perform inspections as an independent contractor under contract
with the inspection firm. 
 
. Inspectors will ask the applicant to sign a "Declaration and Release" form
commonly known as the 9069 form (Technically 009-9-3 English, 009-0-4
Spanish). The signature can be done electronically or in some situations as
a paper form. The form includes a space for the applicant to sign his or her
name and date of birth, and a check box that affirms citizenship status. 
 
. The inspector proceeds validating the applicant's name, addresses, contact
information, proofs of ownership and occupancy and insurance. 
 
. An applicant interview continues validating: the number of members living
in the dwelling at the time of the event; the number of bedrooms occupied on
a nightly basis by the household; clothing losses; any medical,
transportation or miscellaneous purchases (i.e. humidifier). The inspector
informs the applicant of his need to view the entire dwelling for disaster
and non-disaster related damages. 
 
. The inspector begins a physical assessment of real and personal property
damages utilizing available specs in the ACE software. Additionally, the
inspector will record unaffected rooms and undamaged appliances to affirm
applicant needs. Inspectors are usually trained to assess damages from the
rooms at the top of the house down with the basement being the last area of
assessment. 
 
. The inspector records the size of the residence, foundation and dwelling
types, and when applicable - records a high water mark. Appropriate comments
are noted and included within the record. Note, inspectors will confirm if
the dwelling is not accessible due to a disaster related blockage to public
infrastructure such as roads; or when a community utility is affecting the
applicant's home, such as an electrical or water outage. 
 
. During the course of the inspection, the inspector will take a minimum of
2 photographs (interior and exterior) with a focus on the damages that
support the habitability determination and/or addresses areas of significant
real property or personal property damages. Inspectors are asked to not take
photographs of applicants or family members or to take photographs of
personal assets or belongings such as jewelry and other personal items. 
 
. The Inspector concludes the assessment when verifying the habitable
condition(s) of the dwelling. The inspector asks and records the applicant's
response in regard to their plans to relocate from the dwelling due to the
incident. The Inspector then performs an exit interview informing the
applicant on what to expect next from the Agency. 
 
. The inspector only records observed disaster related damages and does not
determine eligibility or damage awards levels. FEMA's policies and business
rules determine eligibility and award levels based upon the damage
assessment and other available information such as estimates from a licensed
contractor for specific repairs. 
 
 
 

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