08/28/2025
You hear 'FEMA,' but what does their assistance really mean for our community during a disaster? Let's talk about Public Assistance (PA)
What it is: Federal funding to help local governments (like Yavapai County, our cities, and towns) and eligible non-profits repair vital public infrastructure after a disaster.
What it covers:
🪨 Debris Removal (clearing roads!)
🚨 Emergency Protective Actions (like shelters)
🧰 Repairing public roads, bridges, and buildings
For PA to activate: Damages need to hit statewide AND county-level thresholds. For 2025, that's ~$1.89/person statewide (totaling ~$14.3M for AZ!) AND ~$4.72/person in Yavapai County (our ~$1.13M portion!).
What if federal thresholds aren't met? If a federal PA declaration isn't made, Arizona's Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) may still offer state-level Public Assistance. While these funds are typically more limited than federal aid, they are crucial for local jurisdictions.
