Hey - I applied and was approved for an SBA disaster loan after the LA fires. My house did not burn down but there was significant smoke damage given it was 1 block from the Palisades fire line. I didn't think the cleaning job (and associated funds my insurance co gave me to pay for it) did a good enough job and we will most likely replace furniture, possibly some drywall, etc. However the SBA loan rules sound extremely specific and the penalties seem really high. How do I not "improve" a bedroom if I essentially redo it via new furniture, carpet, paint, etc? We know we got ash in our admittedly older roof/skylight/insulation...can we replace those things? We have a high credit rating and there isn't any risk of NOT paying back the loan but I am almost panicked to do anything with the funds. Any advice?

Im confused, i have been a PIO for 2 years, Ive worked in EMS, firefighting, managed supply chain for one of the biggest hospitals in my area, and some other s people.

Is it cause of the new administration or do i actually not qualify?

I followed the federal resume guideline if that makes a difference.

I applied to the following:

• External Affairs
• Logistics
• IT
• Security
• I cant remember the last one

I was just hired about 01/12 , CORE , WFH until deployed. Any word on what I can expect? Our leadership hasn’t even mentioned anything. We have no projects. I am essentially a sitting duck.

I work in a state EM and am shocked at what this individual is trying to do.

What talks are being had internally in FEMA to counteract this bullshit?

Wanted to ask whether any reservist especially folks in the IT Cadre have been deployed since the past 1 week to any disaster's like California Wildfires , North Carolina ,etc.

Like are we going to end up getting kicked out or is the funding locked in?

Good morning, The Supervisory Financial Management Specialist position has been posted on USAJobs.gov. The vacancy announcement will be open until 1/31/2025. You can view the announcements at the link below:

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/829139200

I know it’s about a good amount at this point.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-fema-sean-hannity-interview-b2684711.html

Hey everyone, quick question: Does anyone know if reservists (PA) are still being deployed right now? Just trying to get an understanding on current operations. Appreciate any insights!

I’ve been seeing everywhere where people are losing their jobs before they even get them and just was wondering if they’re doing a Halloween freeze for the position of FEMA reserve emergency management specially recovery position. I am still waiting on my background to come back which I think it is a investigative background I did that background in December the last day

Am sure we all don’t have the answers to the possible government hiring freeze but can fema be exempted? Anybody knows how it went for fema in 2017? Am assuming with the already shortage within the agency, their work will be considered essential enough to spare new applicants and those already close to onboarding. Any thoughts? Thanks

Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/828715500

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/828065000

Just submitted my background check on December 31, 2024 and I was just wondering how long does it take for your background check to come back and actually get approval for training I was very honest on my background check there is some things that I’ve been in trouble for, but I have paid the price for them no felonies, medium misdemeanor just one so I’m kind of Scared that I won’t pass but everything that I put on the background I put on my application so I’m thinking that I will pass but just wanted to have that question answer been emailing and calling the background check person that I was working with and her phone and personal phones are going straight to voicemail. I also emailed her but have yet to get a reply back so that’s putting me in a dark space with this situation as well. Should I just stop checking and let the chips fall where they may?

That would be so nice as a close out gift to his great federal employees.

How often does fema gives raises? Is it only the 2% / cola?

I was just approved for a $190k secured or $50k unsecured SBA disaster loan for Hurricane Helene (basement flooding and worsening mold problems). I haven’t received anything from FEMA yet, but I’ve been getting some outrageous quotes for repairs and code updates—around $400–500k. My home was built in the 60s and needs electrical and plumbing updates to meet current codes.

Here are my main questions:

1. Is $190k my max loan amount, or can I ask to be considered for more?
2. Friends say I’d be crazy not to take the secured loan because of the low interest rate, but I’m worried about accidentally doing something “wrong” and getting in trouble with the SBA. Can anyone share advice on this?
3. I know the loan covers code upgrades, but what about replacing things like carpet, drywall, appliances in the basement, or lighting?
4. If I replace appliances or fixtures, can I choose different/better replacements (ex: doing drywall/paint instead of wood paneling), or does it have to be the same as what I had before?
5. If the contractor says we need to gut and fully replace the basement due to hurricane damage, does the SBA dictate the materials I use?
6. How does the SBA monitor how I use the funds? Do I need to submit invoices or receipts, or do they inspect the work?

I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and just want to make sure I handle this properly. Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Does anybody know if we are paid our hourly rate for orientation? Just finished my first pay period and someone told me we are paid like $5 an hour for the 80+ hours we spend at orientation before we deploy, is that true? If so it’s insane. I spent like 80 hours at orientation and like 60 hours in the field after. I get paid my full rate of pay for all those hours right?

Any FEMA local hires? How do you like being a local hire? Are you getting enough work hours?

I just applied because I got sent a link from a friend on jobs USA. I got an expedited acceptance with the expectation that I would fill out a background check within 100 days. I am never going to pass that background check. I just sent in the résumé that I had. I’m not someone who looks for jobs. I’m disabled, and I do one thing and I’ve done it for 14 years. I’m wicked poor, but I have a good credit score. But my resume doesn’t have every job I’ve ever had. It doesn’t even list both of the jobs I currently work at. They’re in the same field and it didn’t seem necessary to list them both. My primary job was run by a third-party vendor until two years ago and I just say that I work for the city that I work in for the last 14 years. I was in a class that helped me create the resume, and when I asked, should I delineate when there was a change in actual employer, and the professor said no just put that you work for the city that you work in for the last 14 years.

I just wanna know what it’s gonna look like when I’m out in the field actually doing the job and they bounce me for failing the background check. I’ve lived in the same place for 18 years. I don’t know any of my neighbors. I don’t know how I’m gonna find someone to talk about me. Regardless, I made mistakes on my application, and my resume doesn’t reflect every job. Now I am a notoriously, bad skimmer, but I did not see on the USA jobs website that they were required a resume that listed every single job you’ve ever done. And I’m reading that people are being failed for not listing every job they’ve ever done on their resume.

Should I reach out to HR and try to change some of this before I get contacted by the background check people?

What type of interview questions do they ask for a local hire logistic specialist? How is working for FEMA as a local hiring ? I’m so nervous and don’t know what to expect. I heard they work almost 7 days a week.

I thought you'd be interested in this story

FEMA ‘horrified’ after confirming workers directed to ‘avoid homes’ with Trump signs in hurricane-ravaged Florida community

https://nypost.com/2024/11/08/us-news/fema-workers-told-to-avoid-homes-with-trump-signs-in-hurricane-ravaged-florida-community?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=android_nyp

Sent from the New York Post app. For more from the Post, visit http://nypost.com. To download our apps, visit http://nypost.com/mobile-apps

Like if you are selected for a deployment next week but are unable to do it, can you decline it and decide to join a future deployment?

I am about to start a new job soon and don’t know if I’ll get this reservist position and how soon they’d want me to leave for deployment (if I were to get the job).

Has anybody got a TJO for the Logistics cadre lately?

There are lots of openings I'm seeing, and I could qualify for a few different roles.

I've been working in tech for almost 20 years as Tech Writer, Content Designer, and Manager.

How might I go about figuring out where my skills could be best utilized?

I am currently in the Air Force Reserves as an Emergency Manager. I am also trying to get a full-time job as an EM though thought I'd start out doing FEMA reserves to make some connections. How does it work if I am in both? If I have a UTA weekend and also need to be deployed with FEMA, which one takes priority or is this even allowed?

Hi everyone,

Maybe someone here knows the answer to this. I'm in Surge Capacity Force and was originally supposed to deploy for Helene, but was rerouted to a different wave to help with Milton. I believe I remember hearing that FEMA had a waiver for the biweekly pay cap for volunteers and employees, but are they also doing one or planning to do one for Milton? My crew leader hasn't heard anything yet.

Thanks!