CFC Vice President of Corporate Communications Charlie Gloeckner explores Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative CEO Mike Heinen’s extensive experience managing disaster recovery and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) processes through multiple hurricanes. Heinen recounts the challenges of resource scarcity, escalating costs and complex FEMA requirements, particularly the need for multiple bids and lengthy reimbursement timelines, which often conflict with urgent recovery needs.
Key lessons include the importance of establishing relationships with engineering firms experienced in FEMA protocols before disasters strike, enabling faster compliance and access to funds. Heinen spotlights the critical role of financial partners like CFC in providing bridge loans during reimbursement delays, noting that interest recovery has improved but remains inconsistent.
The conversation details the evolution of FEMA’s approach, with recent reforms allowing for infrastructure upgrades and mitigation grants, rather than simply restoring systems to previous standards. This shift enabled the cooperative to build more resilient transmission lines and substations, crucial for supporting both residential and industrial customers along the Louisiana coast.
Heinen advises peers to seek professional help, trust their teams and leverage external expertise for FEMA compliance and disaster recovery. He emphasizes the cooperative spirit, the impact of restoration work on communities and the necessity of robust partnerships to navigate future crises effectively.