Following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Ian, Hanson mobilized multiple staff members to provide critical emergency response services in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) Public Assistance Program. Hanson assisted with federal disaster recovery efforts to help Florida communities restore essential infrastructure and public services after this major natural disaster and emergency event.

As a subconsultant to Fluor Enterprises Inc., under FEMA’s indefinite delivery PA-TAC IV contract, Hanson delivered comprehensive technical and programmatic support through rapid response assessment, planning and concept-level design. Hanson staff served as public assistance trainers and coordinating specialists, responsible for disaster assessments, field investigations and technical studies to evaluate damage and support community recovery. The team also contributed to FEMA’s project delivery model, assisting project delivery managers, site inspectors, cost specialists and mitigation staff with criteria development, project scoping and cost estimation.

Hanson supported FEMA teams with preparing Design-Build (DB) Request for Proposal packages and implementing the Grants Manager and Grants Portal systems to streamline project tracking and approvals. The firm provided comprehensive support through multiple critical initiatives aimed at enhancing disaster response and recovery efforts.

This included:

  • Preparing DB RFP packages, which involved coordinating with stakeholders to define project scope, technical requirements and evaluation criteria, thereby facilitating the procurement process for essential recovery resources and services.
  • Implementing the Grants Manager and Grants Portal systems, which were integral to streamlining the management, application and tracking of federal grants, which resulted in transparency, efficiency and accuracy in distributing federal aid.
  • Developing a suite of user-friendly tools, commonly referred to as “hot links,” designed to streamline workflow efficiency by providing quick access to critical resources, documentation and processes, reducing delays and improving coordination among recovery teams.

Hanson also supported a range of infrastructure repair and restoration activities, including in-kind repairs, temporary facilities and phased or transitional infrastructure measures. These efforts were crucial in restoring vital services, such as utilities, transportation and communication networks. The firm also provided limited construction phase support, overseeing adherence to safety standards, technical specifications and timelines, which were essential for facilitating rapid infrastructure repair and minimizing disruption to affected communities.

Most notably, these efforts were carried out in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, with the goal of accelerating recovery operations, restoring critical services and promoting seamless coordination among federal, state and local agencies involved in the disaster response and recovery process.