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Updated the faq page and added a security policy. #36

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Updated the faq page and added a security policy.
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natashapl committed Oct 1, 2024
commit 1ad3af10bb7e9d61f1f75dbd594655e9737a1418
31 changes: 31 additions & 0 deletions SECURITY.md
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# Security Policy

As a U.S. Government agency, the General Services Administration (GSA) takes
seriously our responsibility to protect the public's information, including
financial and personal information, from unwarranted disclosure.

## Reporting a Vulnerability

Services operated by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
are covered by the **GSA Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP)**.

See the [GSA Vulnerability Disclosure Policy at https://www.gsa.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy](https://gsa.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy)
for details including:

* How to submit a report if you believe you have discovered a vulnerability.
* Bug bounty scope.
* GSA's coordinated disclosure policy.
* Information on how you may conduct security research on GSA developed
software and systems.
* Important legal and policy guidance.

## Supported Versions

Please note that only certain branches are supported with security updates.

| Version (Branch) | Supported |
| ---------------- | ------------------ |
| main | :white_check_mark: |
| other | :x: |

When using this code or reporting vulnerabilities please only use supported versions.
118 changes: 87 additions & 31 deletions _includes/layouts/faq-page.html
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@@ -15,43 +15,99 @@ <h1 class="title">{{title}}</h1>
<p class="question introText">This page offers answers to frequently asked questions about mutual aid
assistance for local building department officials.</p>
<div class="question">
<h3>What building department functions can mutual aid help with after disasters?</h3>
<p>Mutual aid can be utilized to assist with post-disaster inspections, permitting and enforcement tasks.
</p>
<h3>What is mutual aid?</h3>
<p>Mutual aid is a straightforward concept where state and local governments step in to assist each other in
the wake of a catastrophic event. Typically, mutual aid provides personnel or resources to affected
communities in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The main goal is to accelerate community recovery
and reduce future risks. While mutual aid resources are often provided without charge, it's worth noting
that specific arrangements can vary depending on the agreements in place between jurisdictions.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>What is mutual aid for building departments?</h3>
<p>Natural disasters can often leave local building officials overwhelmed with the task of assessing
structural damage and ensuring public safety. Mutual aid for building departments is a straightforward
concept where skilled professionals from neighboring jurisdictions step in to assist communities with
inspections, hazard mitigation, and other building department functions in the wake of a catastrophic
event.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>Who are these people coming to help?</h3>
<p>Mutual aid personnel can be classified in two categories: Public-Sector Personnel, also referred to as
state assets and can include local, state, and federal officials; and Private-Sector Personnel. The
ability to use mutual aid for private sector resources varies from state to state.</p>
<p>The following public and private-sector resources are capable of assisting communities after disaster:
<h3>Who responds to mutual aid for building departments? </h3>
<p>Typically, mutual aid can provide communities with additional building inspectors, plan reviewers, or
code enforcement officers in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. These are often civil servants from
neighboring communities and states. In some cases, mutual aid responders can also include private
engineers, architects and other skilled professionals. </p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>What assistance can mutual aid provide to a building department? </h3>
<p>Mutual aid can provide additional building inspectors, plan reviewers, and code enforcement officers to a
building department in need. These professionals can help conduct rapid damage assessments, determine
building safety, and process emergency permits following a disaster. They can also assist with routine
inspections and plan reviews during periods of high workload or staff shortages. This support helps the
local building department maintain service levels, ensure public safety, and expedite recovery efforts.
</p>
<ul>
<li>Building Code Officials</li>
<li>Building Safety & Code Inspectors</li>
<li>Floodplain Administrators</li>
<li>State NFIP Coordinators</li>
<li>Engineers & Architects</li>
<li>Technicians & Specialists</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>What is DRRA 1206 and how can it help me?</h3>
<p>The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, Section 1206 (DRRA-1206) authorizes FEMA Public Assistance
grant funding to support recovery staffing needs of local building code and floodplain management
departments up to 180 days following the date of the major disaster declaration. DRRA-1206 can help
reimburse communities that seek out trained and certified mutual aid responder teams that meet specific
criteria.</p>
<p>For answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about DRRA-1206, refer to FEMA's
<a class="usa-link usa-link--external" target="_blank"
href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_drcc-section-1206-faq-volume-1.pdf">
FAQ Volume 1
</a> and
<a class="usa-link usa-link--external" target="_blank"
href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_drcc-section-1206-faq-volume-2.pdf">
Volume 2
</a>.
<h3>Does mutual aid for building departments work the same in every state?</h3>
<p>The details of implementation, resource sharing, and reimbursement can differ significantly from one
state to another. Some states have formalized statewide mutual aid systems, while others rely more on
local or regional agreements. It's important for building officials to understand their state's specific
mutual aid framework and any interstate compacts that may apply. The state search tool on our <a
class="usa-link" href="{{ '/' | url }}">main page</a> can help you begin to explore your state's mutual
aid system.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>Are there protections against liability?</h3>
<p>Many states have enacted legislation that offers some degree of liability protection for mutual aid
providers lending assistance under official mutual aid agreements. This protection can vary depending on
state laws and specific mutual aid agreements. The contacts provided by our search tool can help you
understand the liability protections in place for your individual situation.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>Will mutual aid cost my community?</h3>
<p>Reimbursement between communities in the same state can vary by state, as each state, district, and
territory has its own specific regulations and procedures. Typically, the requesting community (the one
that received aid) is responsible for reimbursing the assisting community for eligible costs. This usually
follows a "neighbor helping neighbor" principle, where the community benefiting from the assistance bears
the financial responsibility. Some states have established funds or mechanisms to help cover these costs,
especially in cases of larger emergencies or disasters. In such instances, the state might step in to
reimburse the assisting communities directly or provide funds to the requesting community for this
purpose.</p>
<p>Under the Emergency Mutual Aid Compact (EMAC), which facilitates interstate assistance, the requesting
state is responsible for reimbursing the assisting state, but this is often eligible for federal disaster
reimbursement. However, it's important to note that while the immediate deployment may not have an upfront
cost, your community may need to budget for potential reimbursements or cost-sharing depending on the
specific agreement and disaster declaration status. For example, the standard cost-share for FEMA Public
Assistance is typically 75% federal and 25% non-federal, though this can sometimes be adjusted for
catastrophic events. The requesting state would be responsible for the non-federal share, which they may
pass on to the local jurisdiction that received the aid.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>Is an emergency declaration required to utilize mutual aid for building departments? </h3>
<p>Mutual aid for building departments can often be activated without a formal disaster declaration. Many
communities have agreements in place that allow for cooperation and resource sharing for smaller-scale
incidents that do not meet the threshold for a disaster declaration. However, it is important to note that
the specific rules and procedures can vary depending on your local and state regulations. Some areas may
have specific requirements for activating mutual aid, while others maintain flexible systems for sharing
resources.</p>
<p>In cases of larger disasters, a formal declaration can unlock additional resources and funding streams,
potentially making it easier to cover the costs of mutual aid. For interstate assistance through the
Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a governor's declaration is required. EMAC is a national
interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during large-scale disasters. Under
EMAC, the governor of the affected state must declare a state of emergency and request assistance before
other states can send aid. This process ensures a coordinated response and helps establish eligibility for
federal reimbursement.</p>
</div>
<div class="question">
<h3>What costs are eligible for reimbursement?</h3>
<p>When it comes to reimbursement under IMAC (Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact) and EMAC (Emergency Management
Assistance Compact), eligible costs can vary depending on the specific state agreements and the nature of
the emergency. Generally, reimbursable expenses often include personnel costs (such as salaries, overtime,
and benefits), travel expenses, equipment usage, and supplies directly related to the mutual aid response.
Some agreements may also cover costs for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for deployed personnel.
</p>
<p>To ensure proper reimbursement, it's essential for both requesting and assisting entities <span
class="text-bold">to carefully document all expenses</span> and follow the specific guidelines outlined
in their state's mutual aid agreements.</p>
</div>
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</div>
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