Berquist Recovery Consulting

09/03/2026

September is National Preparedness Month. Is your community ready?

Preparedness isn't just about having an emergency plan. It's also about taking steps before the next disaster to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.

For municipalities and other public entities, September is a good time to:
✓ Review your Hazard Mitigation Plan and priority projects
✓ Assess floodplain management and compliance
✓ Review and update building codes
✓ Exercise emergency plans and practice for potential events
✓ Identify infrastructure projects that could reduce future disaster impacts

These efforts have value regardless of what funding programs become available. They can also help position communities for future FEMA mitigation opportunities, including a potential next round of BRIC funding.

Preparedness starts long before the storm, flood, wildfire, or other disaster arrives.

We’ve put together additional preparedness tips and resources for communities here: https://hubs.li/Q04wz0Tg0

Learn how to prepare for the next BRIC Grant Program funding opportunity with practical tips to improve project readiness and competitiveness.

08/28/2026

This week, we pause to honor the memory of those lost and the millions of lives changed by Hurricane Katrina. It’s a somber anniversary that reminds us of the incredible resilience of communities like New Orleans and the Gulf Coast as a whole.

Katrina changed the landscape of emergency management forever, teaching us hard-won lessons about response, recovery, and mitigation. More than 20 years later, we carry these lessons forward to ensure we are better equipped to protect our communities.

We remember the strength of the survivors and the dedication of everyone who worked to rebuild.



Photo credit: White House / Paul Morse

08/27/2026

The newest named storm in the Atlantic is Dolly, an unusual coincidence following the passing of Dolly Parton.

But how do tropical storms get their names, who chooses them, and why are some names retired forever?

Watch the latest BRC Disaster Desk to learn more.

Rest in peace, Dolly. ❤️

08/19/2026

A flood disaster can expose vulnerabilities, but it can also create an opportunity to reduce future risk.

FEMA’s Swift Current program provides mitigation funding following certain flood-related disaster declarations to help communities prepare for the next flood.

Watch the latest from the BRC Disaster Desk.

08/14/2026

Some states aren't waiting for FEMA to announce the next round of BRIC funding, which helps communities strengthen infrastructure and reduce risk before disasters strike.

While FEMA has not officially announced a new BRIC funding opportunity, some states have already begun setting deadlines for local applicants to submit letters of intent for potential projects.

Now is a good time to start preparing.

Our latest BRC blog highlights three practical steps communities can take now to prepare for a future BRIC application and strengthen community resilience, regardless of whether they ultimately pursue BRIC funding.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04s-Z9Z0

Learn how to prepare for the next BRIC Grant Program funding opportunity with practical tips to improve project readiness and competitiveness.

08/11/2026

FEMA has a new Administrator. Cameron Hamilton takes the helm with a focus on reducing bureaucracy, empowering state and local governments, and getting resources to communities faster.

What could that mean for local governments and other FEMA applicants? We took a quick look from the BRC Disaster Desk.

08/04/2026

For over 200 years, the United States Coast Guard has protected lives, safeguarded our waterways, and served a critical role in emergency response. Their role in disaster relief has been especially important, including the extraordinary rescue efforts following Hurricane Katrina, when Coast Guard crews saved countless lives under incredibly difficult conditions.

At BRC, we recognize and appreciate the Coast Guard’s long-standing commitment to service, resilience, and disaster response.

Happy 236th Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard, and thank you to all who have served.

07/30/2026

🚧 Less paperwork. Faster disaster recovery.

Proposed changes to the Public Assistance program are designed to make the disaster recovery process faster and easier for eligible applicants.

The proposed changes could reduce administrative requirements by:
✔️ Eliminating unnecessary process steps
✔️ Reducing signature requirements
✔️ Limiting routine maintenance record requests
✔️ Using technology to speed project development
✔️ Establishing clearer timelines throughout the grant process

It's important to note that FEMA's Public Assistance Program doesn't provide funding directly to individuals. Instead, it helps state, local, tribal, and territorial governments—as well as certain eligible nonprofit organizations—repair public infrastructure and recover from presidentially declared disasters.

Watch this week's Disaster Desk for a quick overview of the proposed changes and why they matter. We’ll keep our eyes open to see if the changes are implemented.

07/17/2026

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is impacting air quality across much of the eastern United States, including major cities like New York and Philadelphia. While the fires may be hundreds of miles away, the health risks are happening right here at home.

In this week's BRC Disaster Desk, we share practical tips for residents, local governments, and first responders, including:

✔️ Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) before spending time outdoors.
✔️ Sign up for your local emergency text or notification system to receive official updates.
✔️ Reduce strenuous outdoor activity when air quality is poor.
✔️ Keep windows closed and use HEPA filtration if available.
✔️ Local governments should monitor conditions, communicate early, and protect outdoor workers and first responders.

Prepared communities understand that disasters don't have to happen locally to create local impacts.

Watch this week's BRC Disaster Desk to learn how you can respond.

07/09/2026

Did you know FEMA provides disaster assistance to America's U.S. territories, too?

Super Typhoon Bavi, which struck Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, reminds us that disaster recovery isn't limited to the mainland. While U.S. territories receive many of the same FEMA programs as states, recovering from a major disaster often means overcoming unique challenges like island logistics, limited infrastructure redundancy, and a smaller emergency management staff.

In this week's Disaster Desk, we explain how FEMA disaster assistance works in U.S. territories and what communities everywhere can learn from their recovery efforts.

Watch the video below and let us know in the comments: Were you aware that FEMA serves U.S. territories under the Stafford Act?