Pre-Planning

Debris Management Planning

If the impact of a natural disaster event is forecasted and imminent, Hemphill will be available for pre-mobilization and will work with the client to secure and finalize plans before impact. Hemphill will also help develop a series of scenarios and responses based on possible disaster events. Potential TDSR sites will be identified and preliminary studies of those sites and plans will be made. Hemphill will begin securing agreements with local and nearby subcontractors to ensure a quick response after a natural disaster. These agreements will be reviewed yearly and adjusted as needed. Hemphill will hold yearly training and review sessions to review all preliminary plans. At the time of review, any changes to debris collection zone maps, primary road clearance routes, and/or probable TDSRS sites will be discussed and noted. If necessary, Hemphill will hire a FEMA consultant to attend the yearly meetings to discuss any changes in FEMA guidelines and best practices.

Pre-Event Contract

The process of bidding and awarding a contract after a storm is a difficult one and could take weeks, or months, before a contractor is in place and ready to go to work. A Pre Event Contract helps arrange, ahead of time, with a contractor for solid pricing and a rapid response time. During non-disaster times, Hemphill is able to efficiently organize resources in anticipation of an event. Establishing a pre event contract will help outline potential concerns and problems and come up with solutions Before the disaster strikes. Hemphill Disaster Recovery welcomes the opportunity to provide assistance with Pre Event Contracts. Conducting business for 50 years has taught us that close association with our clients leads to a successful conclusion. Once under contract, we will sit down and go over our clients plan and assign equipment accordingly. If a plan has not been developed, one will be put into place that outlines priorities and responsibilities. Training of the client’s employees by our knowledgeable trainers can be a part of our services. Choosing Hemphill as your Debris Management Contractor will be a pleasant experience and you will happy you did.

Response

Debris Removal & Disposal

Hemphill offers services to clients for any debris management needed after a disaster. This may range from emergency road clearance to removal of debris from public property. We offer a “cradle to grave” response to disaster debris. We manage it from pick up to final disposal and, in the case of hazardous waste, Hemphill has the resources necessary to handle it safely and according to regulations.

Debris Removal issues may include:

• Public Right of Way
• Private Property
• Vehicle/Vessel Recovery
• Hazardous Waste
• Leaners and Hangers
• Hazardous Stumps
• White Goods

Rapid Response & Mobilization

Hemphill recognizes that quick and efficient debris management ensures the safety and good health of a community. Hemphill responds promptly to calls for mobilization. During a debris management project, Hemphill does not interfere with local response and recovery actions of state and local governments, or of public utilities. The utmost concern is for the safety of all personnel and, just as importantly, the safety of the local citizens of a disaster area. At Hemphill’s main office, a shop and team of expert mechanics maintain, in superior condition, both fleet vehicles and equipment. Hemphill routinely purchases new equipment in order to maintain a high-caliber of our fleet and to receive the benefits of technological advances.

Emergency Road Clearance

A major part of our mobilization for debris removal is the “Push”. Following a disaster, our top priority is to clear primary and secondary routes of transportation and roads leading to healthcare facilities. When instructed by the client, this work is performed in the first 24 hours. The “Push” is our first action after an event and it provides immediate access into devastated areas and allows for the passage of emergency and law enforcement vehicles.

Temporary Debris Storage & Reduction Site (TDSRS) Construction & Management

Hemphill has extensive experience in setting up, managing, dismantling, and remediating Temporary Debris Staging and Reduction Sites (TDSRS). Hemphill operates any TDSR site under its responsibility to accomplish thorough sorting of debris (into categories such as vegetative, C&D, white goods, hazardous waste). At Hemphill TDSR sites, the company achieves proper reduction of eligible debris through grinding or air curtain incineration. We cooperate with all laws and regulations on debris reduction and will work with our client to complete the project satisfactorily for all involved. Through our connections in the field we may be able to find a market for wood chips or white goods thereby saving our client money.

Hazardous tree & stump, tree trimming, and removal Grinding/Chipping

Grinding and open burning are the fastest ways to reduce debris. Primarily using tub grinders, eligible debris would be reduced and sorted into piles. All operators of the grinders receive proper safety and operational instructions. Piles of mulch or wood chippings are closely monitored to reduce the threat of combustion. Because of this threat, such piles have to be eliminated as quickly as possible, either through redistribution to landfills that can use the material, hauled to power plants to be used as boiler fuel, or as soil amendment for aggregate material.

Burning (Open/Curtain)

Eligible debris will either be passed through a tub-grinder or incinerated by an air-curtain incinerator. For large amounts of debris, incineration will quickly eliminate a great amount of it.

Beach & Canal Restoration

If the need for beach and/or canal restoration arises, Hemphill would call on experts, who specialize in this type of specialty restoration work.

Special Debris Handling

Hemphill has experience in special projects and offers hourly services for such, including –but not limited to – beach cleanup and sand screening. We have worked in equipment sensitive areas such as parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and historic sites. In any debris management project, Hemphill Disaster Recovery carefully determines the proper measures needed to complete each task in a safe, efficient, and timely manner.

Storm debris might contain materials which could pose health or safety hazards such as:

• Common household products, usually cleaners, aerosol cans, and pesticides
• Appliances or “white goods”, refrigerators, stoves or other large appliances
• Household furnishings such as carpeting or other flooring, furniture and mattresses
• Propane containers, petroleum-based solvents, cleaners and paints
• Asbestos-laden debris from unabated buildings
• Fertilizers or pesticides

Additional Resources

Hemphill also has relationships with disaster recovery and relief companies across the Southeastern United States. These companies provide materials that become necessary after a major disaster event, things such as temporary housing, temporary sanitary facilities, temporary food facilities, generators, water, and ice. Hemphill is willing and able to provide our client with these services through our contacts in the disaster recovery industry.

Reimbursement

FEMA Requirements

When a major disaster strikes, community resources are often overwhelmed. While Federal and State governments play a major role in the recovery process through reimbursement of eligible costs related to declared disasters, it is critical that management of the disaster remains at the local level. Hemphill provides the assistance necessary to ensure maximum federal reimbursement of eligible disaster related costs. This allows local government to concentrate on the broader recovery effort. We understand the FEMA reimbursement process and will help get the assistance you need.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Apply for FEMA Assistance
• National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System

Documentation & Accounting

For the company’s clients, Hemphill has an accounting and documentation system that enables the company to fully document any work that may be performed under contract. Hemphill is able to supply load tickets for all loads and uses the accounting services of its full time staff to process those tickets, providing the documents necessary for our clients to receive full FEMA funding. Hemphill will also supply clients with any special accounting needs or other forms needed during a debris management project.

Project Closeout

Many of the problems that affect federal reimbursement for debris removal, reduction, and disposal occur as a result of improper documentation and contracting procedures. Experienced and well trained personnel make our jobs run smooth and reimbursement easy for our clients. We can supply a full record keeping system or readily adapt your system. We are fully compliant and are very much at ease in working side by side with law enforcement, fire, Red Cross or other disaster responders.