Berquist Recovery Consulting

Berquist Recovery Consulting Experts in disaster recovery, maximizing FEMA funding, and guiding communities through every step.

06/01/2026

One storm can change a community for years.

Hurricane season officially begins today and runs through the end of November.

While 2025 was relatively quiet in many areas, emergency managers know that preparedness cannot wait until a storm is already forming in the Atlantic. NOAA is forecasting another active hurricane season for 2026, and organizations across the country are reviewing plans, infrastructure, and operational readiness ahead of the months to come.

Now is a good time to review:
• Emergency response plans
• Hazard mitigation and resilience projects
• Debris management procedures
• Backup communications and generators
• Vendor contracts and mutual aid agreements
• Disaster documentation procedures

There is also continued federal focus on proactive mitigation and resilience investments through programs like:
• BRIC
• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
• Firefighter and emergency services grants

Preparedness is no longer just about responding after disasters happen. Communities that plan, mitigate, and invest before storms occur are often able to recover faster and reduce long-term impacts.

From all of us at Berquist Recovery Consulting, stay safe this hurricane season.

05/19/2026

FEMA and DHS have announced nearly $650 million in funding for firefighters and first responders through the AFG, SAFER, and Fire Prevention and Safety grant programs.

These grants can help departments improve staffing, replace aging equipment, strengthen safety, and build long-term resiliency ahead of future disasters.

In our latest BRC Disaster Desk update, we break down what local governments and emergency agencies should know, including key deadlines and the growing federal focus on proactive preparedness and mitigation.

05/17/2026

The FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program is now open, with applications due August 6 through FEMA GO.

For communities dealing with repetitive flooding, vulnerable infrastructure, drainage issues, flood-prone homes, or aging stormwater systems, this program may provide funding for projects focused on long-term resiliency and flood risk reduction.

Eligible projects may include:
• Drainage improvements
• Floodproofing
• Elevation projects
• Pump station protection
• Utility resiliency upgrades
• Acquisition of repetitive loss properties
• Nature-based mitigation measures

While much of the recent conversation around FEMA has focused on disaster recovery, programs like FMA and BRIC continue to reinforce a broader theme in emergency management: proactive mitigation.

At Berquist Recovery Consulting, we work with public entities and infrastructure operators to help develop and support FEMA mitigation grant applications and resiliency initiatives.

Watch our latest BRC Disaster Desk update to learn more.

Learn more about our FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance consulting services:
https://hubs.li/Q04gS7J60

Talking resiliency, FEMA uncertainty, mitigation funding, and the future of disaster response at the 2026 Governor’s Hur...
05/13/2026

Talking resiliency, FEMA uncertainty, mitigation funding, and the future of disaster response at the 2026 Governor’s Hurricane Conference this week in Palm Beach County.

The team from Berquist Recovery Consulting is at Booth 630 right by the lounge. Come say hello.

05/07/2026

FEMA is back open following the recent federal funding resolution, but the agency is now working through a significant backlog of disaster recovery and mitigation activities.

At the same time, the FEMA BRIC program is moving forward quickly, with a July 23, 2026 deadline and approximately $1 billion in available mitigation funding.

One important detail many communities may not realize:

Because of federally declared COVID-19 disasters, a very large portion of jurisdictions across the country may now satisfy BRIC’s requirement that applicants have been included in a federal disaster declaration within the last 7 years.

For communities considering flood mitigation, drainage improvements, utility hardening, backup power, or other resilience projects, this is a major funding opportunity worth evaluating.

A few themes FEMA continues emphasizing in BRIC scoring:
• Project readiness
• Measurable risk reduction
• Critical infrastructure resilience
• Long-term mitigation planning

Many states also have deadlines earlier than FEMA’s federal deadline, so preparation should already be underway.

If your organization is considering a BRIC application and wants to discuss project strategy, eligibility, or mitigation funding opportunities, feel free to reach out to our team.

Berquist Recovery Consulting

We're excited to be at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Palm Beach County, FL this May.Despite the recent funding ...
05/01/2026

We're excited to be at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Palm Beach County, FL this May.

Despite the recent funding approvals to re-open DHS, there’s real uncertainty around FEMA, from heavy staff turnover to broader DHS budget pressures. FEMA not attending the recent National Hurricane Conference was telling.

At the federal level, pro-active mitigation programs like Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) are still a major opportunity, with a focus on “shovel-ready” projects that will have the most impact.

Regardless, states will need to be prepared to do more on their own in the event of a major storm. In light of this, many states are moving forward with their own mitigation programs, assessing capabilities and identifying vulnerabilities.

We’ll be there talking with state and local teams about their needs and how our team of experts can help.

Stop by the booth if you’re attending, we’ve got some great small batch craft spirits to take the edge off a bit.

https://hubs.li/Q04f5sBj0

Earth Day is about more than appreciation. It is about preparation.Natural hazards are part of our environment. The diff...
04/22/2026

Earth Day is about more than appreciation. It is about preparation.

Natural hazards are part of our environment. The difference is how prepared we are.

Mitigation investments like resilient infrastructure, flood protection, and coastal improvements help communities reduce risk and recover faster.

Programs like FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) support this work.

With funding cycles opening and deadlines approaching, now is the time to move projects forward. Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04d57Sp0

04/17/2026

There are millions in FEMA funding available to protect critical infrastructure.

Most communities don’t take advantage of it until it’s too late.

In this Disaster Desk, we walk through:

BRIC (pre-disaster funding, open now)
406 mitigation (build back stronger)
404 mitigation (larger, long-term projects)

The BRIC deadline is July 23, 2026—and for many communities, it’s the best opportunity on the table right now.

04/10/2026

You may have seen the story about a FEMA official claiming he was “teleported to a Waffle House.”

It actually points to a real concept in disaster response: the Waffle House Index.

We put together a short Disaster Desk briefing that explains how it works and why it’s so useful as a signal after major events.

Read more on our blog: https://hubs.li/Q04bmTlq0

04/01/2026

The FEMA BRIC program (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) is back!

After being shut down in 2025, a federal judge has reinstated the mitigation program and the funding window is now open, with roughly $1 billion available.

BRIC was created in 2018 to fund mitigation projects before disasters occur. That means investments in flood protection, stormwater systems, and hardening critical infrastructure like utilities, water and wastewater facilities, and transportation assets.

The goal is simple: reduce long-term costs and keep communities operational when disasters happen.

There are a number of projects that were already in motion before the shutdown, so this round is likely to be competitive.

We put together a quick update in our latest Disaster Desk.

If you’re evaluating a mitigation project or trying to understand where things stand, feel free to reach out.

Address

9600 Two Notch Road , Ste 5-146
Columbia, SC
29223

Telephone

+18038875015

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