Recovery
The goal of recovery is to return the community’s systems and activities to normal. Recovery begins right after the emergency. Some recovery activities may be concurrent with response efforts. Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and housing. Long-term recovery (stabilizing all systems) can sometimes take years.

Although recovery is primarily a responsibility of local government, if the emergency or disaster received a Presidential Declaration, a number of assistance programs may be available under the Stafford Act. Some types of Federal assistance include:

· Infrastructure such as non-Federal roads, public buildings, and bridges can be repaired or replaced.

· Mitigation measures can be implemented.

· Grants may be available to individuals and families for temporary housing, repairs, replacement of possessions, and medical and funeral expenses.

· The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loans to individuals and businesses.

· Crisis counseling may be available for victims and responders.

· Legal services can be provided.

· Disaster unemployment benefits may be provided.

Recovery from disaster is unique to each community depending on the amount and kind of damage caused by the disaster and the resources that the community has ready or can get. In the short term, recovery is an extension of the response phase in which basic services and functions are restored. In the long term, recovery is a restoration of both the personal lives of individuals and the livelihood of the community.

After the short term recovery when roads have been opened, debris removed, supplies and shelters secured, communication channels, water and power, life safety and other basic services restored, the community and its leadership must rebuild.

Once the early stage of recovery has brought the community back to a safe and operational level of functioning, the long term state can build on that.

Long term recovery may take several months or even extend into years because it is a complex process of revitalizing not just homes but also businesses, public infrastructure, and the community’s economy and quality of life.

There are many long term leadership and planning considerations. Applying for assistance programs available from the Federal government, as mentioned previously, is important to consider for obtaining financial and other resources in the case of a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Other considerations include:

· Keeping citizens informed and preventing unrealistic expectations.

· Mitigation measures to ensure against future disaster damage.