Projects
Disaster Management (Inspections and Site Assessments)

Debris Monitoring Services - Hurricane Ike Current

Contracting Agency:
City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department
Prime Contractor:
Beck Disaster Recovery, Inc.
Staffing Requirements:
TLC provided approximately 500 site monitors and trucks certifiers to assist BDR with the clearing and removing of storm-related debris for the City of Houston. Monitors observed and documented debris removal from all points of pick up and disposal. TLC had 32 people on the ground within 24 hours of the storm and processed over 1000 applications in a 10 day period. This resulted in approximately 500 persons on the ground within 7 days of hurricane Ike. TLC also provided monitors for surrounding cities, including but not limited to the City of Galveston, Brazoria County and Harris County. TLC headquarters served as the initial staging and training facility and serves as BDR’s resource (warehouse) facility for the City of Houston, Harris County and surrounding cities affected by Ike. The BDR-TLC Team broke records by providing the fastest ramp up of operations and disposing of over 200,000 cu yards of debris per day, by a single contractor, at the height of operations. Contract Value: Approximately $9 million

Housing Inspections- Hurricane Ike
2008

Contracting Agency:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Prime Contractor:
Promovita, LLC
Staffing Requirements:
TLC provided and managed 32 certified Home Inspectors to be part of the FEMA Houston Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) Project. The Project consisted of performing Inspections of residential properties in Harris County, assessing the structural damage and evaluating the habitable conditions as a result of the damage imposed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Contract Value: $540,000

Travel Trailers and Mobile Homes Activation and Maintenance Contract
Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas
2005-2006

Contracting Agency:	Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Prime Contractor:	CH2M Hill, Inc.
Contract Number & Type:	1606 DR-TX and FEMA-3261-EM-TX
Contract Size:	$6,000,000.00
Staffing Requirements:	31 for site assessment, installation and training.

Hurricane Katrina Recovery Services Biloxi, Mississippi
2005-2006

Contracting Agency:	Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Prime Contractor:	CH2M Hill, Inc.
Contract Number & Type:	334757
Contract Size:	$4,000,000.00
Staffing Requirements:	23 for site assessment, installation and training.

Brief Description of Responsibilities:

Site Assessment and Inspection
Responsibilities varied slightly between the two contracts, but the procedure was the same. Assigned staff received certified and approved applications from Rita or Katrina disaster relief victims that provided them the opportunity to receive travel trailers or mobile homes as emergency temporary housing. Upon receipt of approved application, site assessors would perform an assessment of the site to determine its feasibility for installation of a temporary housing unit. If the site proved feasible, a work order would be issued to place a unit on the site, site inspectors would then be assigned to a contractor to work with them through the installation process.

Installation
Inspectors would insure that all blocking, tie downs and hook up of utilities was done properly and met applicable permit and/or code regulations. Utilities included water, sewer, electrical and HVAC. This includes making sure the travel trailers and mobile homes are positioned correctly to accommodate utility connections. Inspectors occasionally had to coordinate their efforts with public utility staff to expedite the completion of the installation.

Maintenance and Deactivation
Inspectors who were licensed tradesmen were assigned the maintenance work orders. Often the trailers had maintenance issues that had to be resolved prior to issuance of a 'ready for occupancy' permit. TLC had licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC tradesmen on staff to assist with these problems.

TLC performed all maintenance and deactivation activities of the FEMA Temporary Housing Program through a toll free number and wireless maintenance database system. All maintenance activities were managed and reported to the program manager for project clarity and accountability purposes.

Emergency Response Plan
An emergency response plan was established to insure that maintenance personnel would be mobilized within one hour of notification of condition meeting emergency conditions as defined in bid document which pose a serious health safety or security hazard. Emergency maintenance is typically defined as but not limited to the following:

• Gas leak
• Major water leak, where a shut off valve can not be located
• Sewage leak
• No heat (outside temperature expected to go below 50° F)
• No air conditioning (outside temperature expected to go above 85°F)
• No electricity (excluding local power company failure) or major electrical malfunction

FEMA Project

In 2010, TLC was awarded a contract with FEMA providing Public Assistance First Appeal Review Services. This contract covers a range of the entire United States supporting all ten (10) FEMA regional offices. An applicant may appeal any decision made by FEMA whether a project worksheet assessment or an issue of applicant eligibility or an extension request denial. TLC serves as an independent team of professionals who works with the applicants who are seeking reconsideration within the appeal process of FEMA and they rely on the government to consider all related documentation, specifications, and other items submitted for review. TLC has the ability to gather relevant information in a timely manner which requires extensive knowledge of existing FEMA protocols, policies, guidance, associated regulations, and the Stafford Act which allows TLC to fairly assess the complaint and to make good recommendations to the Agency.