Agreement Between 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and 

the National Council on Independent Living for Access to a Disaster 
Recovery Center (DRC) to Offer Disaster Assistance Services 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into the _____ day of _____________, 20____, by and 
between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (hereinafter “FEMA”), and the National 
Council on Independent Living for access to a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). 

 

WHEREAS, in States that sustain damage of sufficient severity and magnitude as to warrant a 
Individual Assistance declaration by the President of a major disaster or emergency pursuant to 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 
(hereinafter “Stafford Act”); 

 

WHEREAS, Title 44 CFR 206.42 authorizes the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) to establish 
a DRC as necessary to coordinate and monitor assistance programs, disseminate information, 
accept applications, and counsel individuals, families and businesses concerning available 
assistance; 

 

WHEREAS, the National Council on Independent Living, or entities acting on its behalf, as a 
National Disaster Assistance Recovery Partner, is granted access as necessary and appropriate 
to all DRCs operated under the authority of FEMA; and 

 

WHEREAS, the National Council on Independent Living, understands that access and conduct 
in a DRC is governed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Rules and Regulations 
Governing Conduct on Federal Property, November 2005 (attached), and any supplementary 
direction issued by the FCO for conduct at a DRC based on known or perceived safety and 
security threats. 




 

NOW, THEREFORE: 

 

1. FEMA hereby agrees to provide, as necessary and appropriate, DRC access to the 
National Council on Independent Living for the purpose of offering Disaster Assistance 
Services to individuals and households and to provide the National Council on Independent 
Living senior managers, through coordination with FEMA’s Individual Assistance Branch 
Director or designee, access to the Joint Field Office for appropriate meetings related only to 
issues in this Agreement and coordination. 


 

2. FEMA hereby agrees to provide the National Council on Independent Living a 
twenty-four hour notice, when feasible, before changing the days or hours of operation for the 
DRC, to include closing of the DRC. 


 

3. National Council on Independent Living hereby agrees to abide by the U.S. General 
Services Administration (GSA) Rules and Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property, 
November 2005 (attached), and any supplementary direction issued by the FCO for conduct at 
the DRC based on known or perceived safety and security threats. 


 

4. National Council on Independent Living hereby agrees that access to the DRC will be 
limited to the posted days and hours of operations. 


 

5. National Council on Independent Living hereby agrees not to deny service, financial 
aid, or other benefit to an individual or household which is different, or is provided in a 
different manner, from that provided to others on the grounds of race, color, age, national 
origin or qualified disability. 


 

6. National Council on Independent Living and the National Council on Independent 
Living membership organizations identified for a specific area hereby agrees to hold harmless 
and indemnify the United States and FEMA and be responsible for any and all claims of causes 
of action, including any judgment action, debt, liability costs and attorney’s fees or any other 
request for moneys of any type arising from the disaster services they offered to individuals and 
households. 


 

7. National Council on Independent Living hereby agrees that their services in the 
facility may be revoked at any time by FEMA for any violation of the terms of this Agreement. 


 

8. This Agreement CAN ONLY be modified at the national level. 



 

9. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with current federal, state, tribal, or 
local laws or regulations or the directives of the Department of Homeland Security or FEMA. If 
a term of this Agreement is determined to be inconsistent with such authority, then that term 
shall be invalid, but the remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain in full 
force and effect. 


 

10. This Agreement will remain in effect for five (5) years. The parties have the authority 
to amend provisions of this agreement in writing upon their mutual consent. Either party may 
terminate this agreement on giving at least thirty days advance written notice to the other. 


 

11. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of last signature by the respective 
parties hereto: 


 

Federal Emergency Management Agency: National Council on Independent Living: 

 

 

____________________________________ ____________________________________ 

W. Craig Fugate Date Kelly Buckland Date 

Administrator Executive Director 

Federal Emergency Management Agency National Council on Independent Living