TAMPA, Fla. – As the landscape of disaster recovery in the United States shifts, public works agencies confront increasing responsibilities in post-disaster response and recovery. Recent legislation and administrative initiatives signal major changes to FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, creating new opportunities and challenges for local governments.
DRMP supports clients in preparing for extreme weather events and recovering from their impacts. The firm’s disaster resiliency services include resilient design, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) substantial damage surveys, post-disaster damage assessment, grant management and administration, recovery management, and hazard mitigation solutions.
Josh Norman, DRMP’s disaster resilience and sustainability practice leader, will present “The Changing World of FEMA and Disaster Recovery” at the APWA 2026 Florida Public Works Expo on April 8 at 9 a.m., at the Hilton Tampa Downtown and Tampa Convention Center. Public works professionals, city and county staff, and local government leaders will learn actionable strategies to organize resources, train teams, and execute disaster recovery tasks under emerging FEMA guidance.
The session will review key provisions of the FEMA Act, which has 32 bipartisan co-sponsors, passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is anticipated for a House vote. The session will highlight adjustments public works departments can implement now to prepare for a larger role in future disaster response.
“FEMA is entering a period of significant transformation,” Norman said. “Our goal is to help agencies understand these changes, streamline processes, and equip their teams to act efficiently when disasters strike so federal funding can flow swiftly when it’s needed.”
Attendees will learn how to better organize staff and resources to perform required funding-related tasks within mandated timelines, train their teams on new FEMA requirements and post-disaster procedures, and execute streamlined disaster recovery programs that align with updated FEMA processes. Norman will share examples of how agencies can proactively prepare for future disasters, reduce response time, improve resource allocation, and enhance community resilience.
“By understanding the changes ahead, public works teams can move from reactive response to proactive and compliant recovery,” Norman said. “This session will empower professionals to lead their departments through evolving FEMA programs with confidence.”
About DRMP
Since 1977, DRMP has earned a reputation as a trusted multidiscipline engineering firm that approaches challenges differently. What began as a small Florida-based firm has grown into a Southeastern powerhouse with over 700 employees across 23 offices. We partner with clients to deliver smart, sustainable infrastructure that helps communities thrive.
Ranked among Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms in the United States, DRMP is known for solving complex challenges through technical expertise, innovative thinking, and collaboration.
We value connection, creativity, and a welcoming, engaging culture that empowers employees to grow their careers. As we continue to expand, we remain committed to the principles that have guided us from the start.
