44 C.F.R. PART 208—NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM
Title 44 - Emergency Management and Assistance
Authority: Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 through 5206; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, 43 FR 41943, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 329; Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 101; E.O. 12127, 44 FR 19367, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 376; E.O. 12148, 44 FR 43239, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 412; E.O. 13286, 68 FR 10619, 3 CFR, 2003 Comp., p. 166.
Source: 70 FR 9194, Feb. 24, 2005, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this part is to prescribe policies and procedures pertaining to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. (b) Scope. This part applies to Sponsoring Agencies and other participants in the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System that have executed agreements governed by this part. Part 206 of this chapter does not apply to activities undertaken under this part, except as provided in §§208.5 and 208.10 of this part. This part does not apply to reimbursement under part 206, subpart H, of this chapter. (a) General. Any capitalized word in this part is a defined term unless such capitalization results from the application of standard capitalization or style rules for Federal regulations. The following definitions have general applicability throughout this part: Activated or Activation means the status of a System resource placed at the direction, control and funding of DHS in response to, or in anticipation of, a presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act. Activation Order means the DHS communication placing a System resource under the direction, control, and funding of DHS. Advisory means a DHS communication to System resources indicating that an event has occurred or DHS anticipates will occur that may require Alert or Activation of System resources. Alert means the status of a System resource's readiness when triggered by an Alert Order indicating that DHS may Activate the System resource. Alert Order means the DHS communication that places a System resource on Alert status. Assistance Officer means the DHS employee who has legal authority to bind DHS by awarding and amending Cooperative Agreements. Backfill means the personnel practice of temporarily replacing a person in his or her usual position with another person. Cooperating Agency means a State or Local Government that has executed a Cooperative Agreement to provide Technical Specialists. Cooperative Agreement means a legal instrument between DHS and a Sponsoring Agency or Cooperating Agency that provides funds to accomplish a public purpose and anticipates substantial Federal involvement during the performance of the contemplated activity. Daily Cost Estimate means a Sponsoring Agency's estimate of Task Force personnel compensation, itemized fringe benefit rates and amounts including calculations, and Backfill expenditures for a 24-hour period of Activation. Deputy Director means the Deputy Director of the Response Division, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, or other person that the Director designates. DHS means the Department of Homeland Security. Director means the Director of the Response Division, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, DHS. Disaster Search Canine Team means a disaster search canine and handler who have successfully completed the written examination and demonstrated the performance skills required by the Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation Process. A disaster search canine is a dog that has successfully completed the DHS Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation criteria for Type II or both Type II and Type I. Emergency means any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. Equipment Cache List means the DHS-issued list that defines: (1) The equipment and supplies that US & R will furnish to Sponsoring Agencies; and (2) The maximum quantities and types of equipment and supplies that a Sponsoring Agency may purchase and maintain with DHS funds. Federal Excess Property means any Federal personal property under the control of a Federal agency that the agency head or a designee determines is not required for its needs or for the discharge of its responsibilities. Federal Response Plan means the signed agreement among various Federal departments and agencies that provides a mechanism for coordinating delivery of Federal assistance and resources to augment efforts of State and Local Governments overwhelmed by a Major Disaster or Emergency, supports implementation of the Stafford Act, as well as individual agency statutory authorities, and supplements other Federal emergency operations plans developed to address specific hazards. Joint Management Team or JMT means a multi-disciplinary group of National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), Urban Search and Rescue (US&R), and other specialists combined to provide operations, planning, logistics, finance and administrative support for US&R and NDMS resources, and to provide technical advice and assistance to States and Local Governments. Local Government means any county, city, village, town, district, or other political subdivision of any State; any federally recognized Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization; and any Alaska Native village or organization. Major Disaster means any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, that in the determination of the President, causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under the Stafford Act to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, Local Governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) means the document signed by DHS, a Sponsoring Agency and its State that describes the relationship of the parties with respect to the National Urban Search & Rescue Response System. Participating Agency means a State or Local Government, non-profit organization, or private organization that has executed an agreement with a Sponsoring Agency to participate in the National US&R Response System. Personnel Rehabilitation Period means the period allowed by DHS for a person's rehabilitation to normal conditions of living following an Activation. Preparedness Cooperative Agreement means the agreement between DHS and a Sponsoring Agency for reimbursement of allowable expenditures incurred by the Sponsoring Agency to develop and maintain System capabilities and operational readiness. Program Directive means guidance and direction for action to ensure consistency and standardization across the National US&R Response System. Program Manager means the individual, or his or her designee, within DHS who is responsible for day-to-day administration of the National US&R Response System. Program Office means the organizational entity within DHS that is responsible for day-to-day administration of the National US&R Response System. Response Cooperative Agreement means an agreement between DHS and a Sponsoring Agency for reimbursement of allowable expenditures incurred by the Sponsoring Agency as a result of an Alert or Activation. Sponsoring Agency means a State or Local Government that has executed an MOA with DHS to organize and administer a Task Force. Stafford Act means the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 through 5206. State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Support Specialist means a person participating in the System who assists the Task Force with administrative or other support during mobilization, ground transportation and demobilization as directed. System or National US&R Response System means the national US&R response capability administered by DHS. System Member means any Task Force Member, JMT Member, Technical Specialist, Support Specialist or Disaster Search Canine Team. Task Force means an integrated US&R organization of multi-disciplinary resources with common communications and a leader, organized and administered by a Sponsoring Agency and meeting DHS standards. Task Force Member means a person occupying a position on a Task Force. Technical Specialist means a person participating in the System contributing technical knowledge and skill who may be placed on Alert or Activated as a single resource and not as a part of a JMT or a Task Force. US&R means urban search and rescue, the process of searching for, extricating, and providing for the immediate medical stabilization of victims who are entrapped in collapsed structures. (b) Additional definitions. Definitions for certain terms that apply only to individual subparts of this part are located in those subparts. (a) Enabling legislation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency established and operated the System under the authority of §§303, 306(a), 306(b), 403(a)(3)(B) and 621(c) of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5144, 5149(a), 5149(b), 5170b(a)(3)(B) and 5197(c), respectively. Section 503 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 313, transferred the functions of the Director of FEMA to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The President redelegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security in Executive Order 13286 those authorities of the President under the Stafford Act that had been delegated previously to the Director of FEMA under Executive Order 12148. (b) Implementing plan. The National Response Plan identifies DHS as the primary Federal agency with responsibility for Emergency Support Function 9, Urban Search and Rescue. It is DHS policy to develop and provide a national system of standardized US&R resources to respond to Emergencies and Major Disasters that are beyond the capabilities of affected State and Local Governments. (a) Participation in activities of the System. The Director is responsible for determining participation in the System and any activity thereof, including but not limited to whether a System resource is operationally ready for Activation. (b) Standards for and measurement of System efficiency and effectiveness. In addition to the authority provided in §206.13 of this chapter, the Director may establish performance standards and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of System resources. (a) Reports to Director. The Director may request reports from any System resource relating to its activities as part of the System. (b) Reports to FEMA Regional Directors. Any FEMA Regional Director may request through the Director reports from any System resource used within or based within the Regional Director's jurisdiction. (c) Audits, investigations, studies and evaluations. DHS and the General Accounting Office may conduct audits, investigations, studies, and evaluations as necessary. Sponsoring Agencies, Participating Agencies and System Members are expected to cooperate fully in such audits, investigations, studies and evaluations. (a) Remedies for noncompliance. In accordance with the provisions of 44 CFR 13.43, if a Sponsoring Agency, Participating Agency, Affiliated Personnel or other System Member materially fails to comply with a term of a Cooperative Agreement, Memorandum of Agreement, System directive or other Program Directive, the Director may take one or more of the actions provided in 44 CFR 13.43(a)(1) through (5). Any such enforcement action taken by the Director will be subject to the hearings, appeals, and effects of suspension and termination provisions of 44 CFR 13.43(b) and (c). (b) The enforcement remedies identified in this section, including suspension and termination, do not preclude a Sponsoring Agency, Participating Agency, Affiliated Personnel or other System Member from being subject to “Debarment and Suspension” under E.O. 12549, as amended, in accordance with 44 CFR 13.43(d). (c) Other authority for sanctions. Nothing in this section limits or precludes the application of other authority to impose civil or criminal sanctions, including 42 U.S.C. 5156. The Director will develop and implement a code of conduct for System Members acting under DHS's direction and control. Nothing in this section or the DHS code of conduct will limit the authority of a Sponsoring Agency, Participating Agency or Cooperating Agency to apply its own code of conduct to its System Members or employees. If the DHS code is more restrictive, it controls. Every agreement between a Sponsoring Agency and a Participating Agency regarding the System must include a provision making this part applicable to the Participating Agency and its employees who engage in System activities. The following provisions of title 44 CFR, Chapter I also apply to the program in this part: (a) Section 206.9, which deals with the non-liability of DHS in certain circumstances. (b) Section 206.11, which prescribes nondiscrimination in the provision of disaster assistance. (c) Section 206.14, which deals with criminal and civil penalties. (d) Section 206.15, which permits recovery of assistance by DHS. The Director will appoint all Activated System Members as temporary excepted Federal volunteers. The Director may appoint a System Member who participates in Alert activities as such a Federal volunteer. The Director may also appoint each System Member who participates in DHS-sanctioned preparedness activities as a temporary excepted Federal volunteer. DHS intends these appointments to secure protection for such volunteers under the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Federal Tort Claims Act and do not intend to interfere with any preexisting employment relationship between a System Member and a Sponsoring Agency, Cooperating Agency or Participating Agency. System Members whom DHS appoints as temporary excepted Federal volunteers will not receive any compensation or employee benefit directly from the United States of America for their service, but will be compensated through their Sponsoring Agency. (a) Purpose. This section establishes the process for creating and updating the Maximum Pay Rate Table (Table), and the Table's use to reimburse Affiliated Personnel (Task Force Physicians, Task Force Engineers, and Canine Handlers) and Backfill for Activated System Members employed by or otherwise associated with a for-profit Participating Agency. Section 208.32 defines the “Maximum Pay Rate Table” as “the DHS-issued table that identifies the maximum pay rates for selected System positions that may be used for reimbursement of Affiliated Personnel compensation and Backfill for Activated System Members employed by or otherwise associated with a for-profit Participating Agency.” In that same section, the term “Affiliated Personnel” is defined as “individuals not normally employed by a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency and individuals normally affiliated with a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency as volunteers.” (b) Scope of this section. (1) The Maximum Pay Rate Table applies to those individuals who are not normally employed by a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency, or whose affiliation with a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency is as a volunteer; that is, an individual whom the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency does not normally compensate in any way, at any rate. (2) The Table also applies to Backfill for Activated System Members employed by or otherwise associated with a for-profit Participating Agency. (c) Method for determining maximum pay rates. (1) DHS uses the United States Office of Personnel Management's salary rates, computed under 5 U.S.C. 5504, as the basis for the maximum pay rate schedule. DHS considers System members' experience and sets maximum pay rates at the maximum grade, middle step for each position, which demonstrates an experience level of five years. (2) The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes salary and locality pay schedules each calendar year. (i) Physicians. DHS uses the latest Special Salary Rate Table Number 0290 for Medical Officers (Clinical) Worldwide for physicians. The rates used in the initial Table can be found at https://www.opm.gov/oca/03 tables/SSR/HTML/0290.asp. (ii) Engineers and Canine Handlers. DHS uses the latest General Schedule pay scale for both positions. Both specialties are compared to the General Schedule pay scale to ensure parity with like specialties on a task force (canine handlers are equated with rescue specialists). The rates used in the initial Table can be found at https://www.opm.gov/oca/03tables/html/gs.asp. (iii) Locality Pay. To determine adjustments for locality pay DHS uses the latest locality pay areas (including the “Rest of U.S.” area) established by OPM. The rates used in the initial Table can be found at https://www.opm.gov/oca/03tables/locdef.asp. (3) Review and update. DHS will review and update the Table periodically, at least annually. The comments of Sponsoring and Participating Agencies and their experience with the Table will be considered and evaluated in the course of the reviews. (4) Initial rates and subsequent revisions. DHS will publish the initial maximum pay rate table in the 1 In some years the latest year may not be the current calendar year. For instance, OPM did not change its pay rates for calendar year 2004, and the 2003 schedules apply. (d) Application of the maximum pay rate table—(1) Applicability. The Maximum Pay Rate Table sets forth maximum rates for which DHS will reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for compensation paid to Activated Affiliated Personnel and as Backfill for Activated System Members employed by or otherwise associated with a for-profit Participating Agency. (2) Higher rates. The Sponsoring Agency may choose to pay Affiliated Personnel at a higher rate, but DHS will not reimburse the increment above the maximum rate specified in the Maximum Pay Rate Table. Likewise, the Sponsoring Agency may choose to enter into a Participating Agency agreement with the individual's employer, rather than use the individual as an Affiliated Personnel, in which case the Maximum Pay Rate Table would not apply. (3) Compensation for Sponsoring Agency employees serving as Affiliated Personnel. An employee of a Sponsoring Agency serving on a Task Force in a capacity other than his or her normal job, e.g., a fire department dispatcher affiliated with the Task Force as a canine search specialist, as an Affiliated Personnel, would not necessarily be subject to the Maximum Pay Rate Table for reimbursement for salary and benefits for that individual. However, Sponsoring Agencies may use the rates in the Maximum Pay Rate Table as a guide for establishing compensation levels for such individuals. (4) Backfill expenses for Affiliated Personnel under §208.39(g). (i) The only way that DHS can reimburse for Backfill costs incurred for Affiliated Personnel is through Participating Agencies. If reimbursement for Backfill expenses is needed for Affiliated Personnel, DHS encourages them to urge their employers or professional association to seek Participating Agency status. (ii) Private, for-profit organizations. Participating Agency status is available to private, for-profit organizations, e.g., HMOs or medical or engineering professional associations, under the revised definition of “Participating Agency” set forth in this Interim rule. (See Definitions, §208.2, Participating Agency, and §208.32, Maximum Pay Rate Table). When a for-profit Participating Agency must backfill an Activated System Member's position we will compensate that Participating Agency up to the maximum rate provided in the Table. (iii) Compensation costs. DHS will reimburse for-profit organizations, for purposes of reimbursement and Backfill, for the System Member's actual compensation or the actual compensation of the individual who Backfills a position (which includes salary and benefits, as described in §§208.39 and 208.40), but will not reimburse for billable or other rates that might be charged for services rendered to commercial clients or patients. Subpart B of this part provides guidance on the administration of Preparedness Cooperative Agreements. (a) Application. To obtain DHS funding for an award or amendment of a Preparedness Cooperative Agreement, the Sponsoring Agency must submit an application. Standard form SF–424 “Application for Federal Assistance” generally will be used. However, the application must be in a form that the Assistance Officer specifies. (b) Award. DHS will award a Preparedness Cooperative Agreement to each Sponsoring Agency to provide Federal funding to develop and maintain System resource capabilities and operational readiness. For the purposes of the Preparedness Cooperative Agreement, the Sponsoring Agency will be considered the “recipient.” (c) Amendment—(1) Procedure. Absent special circumstances, DHS will fund and amend Preparedness Cooperative Agreements on an annual basis. Before amendment, the Assistance Officer will issue a call for Cooperative Agreement amendment applications. The Assistance Officer will specify required application forms and supporting documentation to be submitted with the application. (2) Period of performance. Absent special circumstances, the period of performance for Preparedness Cooperative Agreements will be 1 year from the date of award. The Assistance Officer may allow for an alternate period of performance with the approval of the Director. (3) Assistance Officer. The Assistance Officer is the only individual authorized to award or modify a Preparedness Cooperative Agreement. (d) Award amounts. The Director will determine award amounts on an annual basis. A Task Force is eligible for an annual award only if the Program Manager receives and approves the Task Force's current-year Daily Cost Estimate. (e) DHS priorities. The Director will establish overall priorities for the use of Preparedness Cooperative Agreement funds taking into consideration the results of readiness evaluations and actual Activations, overall priorities of DHS, and other factors, as appropriate. (f) Cost sharing. The Director may subject Preparedness Cooperative Agreement awards to cost sharing provisions. In the call for Preparedness Cooperative Agreement amendment applications, the Assistance Officer must inform Sponsoring Agencies about any cost sharing obligations. (g) Sponsoring Agency priorities. The Sponsoring Agency should indicate its spending priorities in the application. The Program Manager will review these priorities and will make recommendations to the Assistance Officer for negotiating the final agreement. (h) Responsibility to maintain integrity of the equipment cache. The Sponsoring Agency is responsible to maintain the integrity of the equipment cache, including but not limited to, maintenance of the cache, replacement of equipment or supplies expended in training, activations, or local use of the cache, and timely availability of the cache for Task Force Activations. System Members may spend Federal funds that DHS provides under any Preparedness Cooperative Agreement and any required matching funds under 44 CFR 13.22 and this section to pay reasonable, allowable, necessary and allocable costs that directly support System activities, including the following: (a) Administration, including: (1) Management and administration of day-to-day System activities such as personnel compensation and benefits relating to System maintenance and development, record keeping, inventory of equipment, and correspondence; (2) Travel to and from System activities, meetings, conferences, training, drills and exercises; (3) Tests and examinations, including vaccinations, immunizations and other tests that are not normally required or provided in the course of a System Member's employment, and that DHS requires to meet its standards. (b) Training: (1) Development and delivery of, and participation in, System-related training courses, exercises, and drills; (2) Construction, maintenance, lease or purchase of System-related training facilities or materials; (3) Personnel compensation expenses, including overtime and other related expenses associated with System-related training, exercises, or drills; (4) System-required evaluations and certifications other than the certifications that DHS requires System Members to possess at the time of entry into the System. For instance, DHS will not pay for a medical school degree, paramedic certification or recertification, civil engineering license, etc. (c) Equipment: (1) Procurement of equipment and supplies specifically identified on the then-current DHS-approved Equipment Cache List; (2) Maintenance and repair of equipment included on the current Equipment Cache List; (3) Maintenance and repair of equipment acquired with DHS approval through the Federal Excess Property program, except as provided in §208.25 of this part; (4) Purchase, construction, maintenance or lease of storage facilities and associated equipment for System equipment and supplies. (d) Disaster search canine expenses limited to: (1) Procurement for use as a System resource; (2) Training and certification expenses; (3) Veterinary care. (e) Management and administrative costs, actually incurred but not otherwise specified in this section that directly support the Sponsoring Agency's US&R capability, provided that such costs do not exceed 7.5 percent of the award/amendment amount. (a) Requests for purchase or maintenance of equipment and supplies not appearing on the Equipment Cache List, or that exceed the number specified in the Equipment Cache List, must be made in writing to the Program Manager. No Federal funds provided under any Preparedness Cooperative Agreement may be expended to purchase or maintain any equipment or supply item unless: (1) The equipment and supplies directly support the Sponsoring Agency's US&R capability; (2) The Program Manager approves the expenditure and gives written notice of his or her approval to the Sponsoring Agency before the Sponsoring Agency purchases the equipment or supply item. (b) Maintenance of items approved for purchase under this section is eligible for reimbursement, except as provided in §208.26 of this subpart. (a) The Director will periodically identify obsolete items on the Equipment Cache List and provide such information to Sponsoring Agencies. (b) Neither funds that DHS provides nor matching funds required under a Preparedness Cooperative Agreement may be used to maintain or repair items that DHS has identified as obsolete. The Sponsoring Agency is accountable for the use of funds as provided under the Preparedness Cooperative Agreement, including financial reporting and retention and access requirements according to 44 CFR 13.41 and 13.42. Title to equipment purchased by a Sponsoring Agency with funds provided under a DHS Preparedness Cooperative Agreement vests in the Sponsoring Agency, provided that DHS reserves the right to transfer title to the Federal Government or a third party that DHS may name, under 44 CFR 13.32(g), for example, when a Sponsoring Agency indicates or demonstrates that it cannot fulfill its obligations under the Memorandum of Agreement. Subpart C of this part provides guidance on the administration of Response Cooperative Agreements. Affiliated Personnel means individuals not normally employed by a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency and individuals normally affiliated with a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency as volunteers. Demobilization Order means a DHS communication that terminates an Alert or Activation and identifies cost and time allowances for rehabilitation. Exempt means any System Member who is exempt from the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq., pertaining to overtime compensation and other labor standards. Maximum Pay Rate Table means the DHS-issued table that identifies the maximum pay rates for selected System positions that may be used for reimbursement of Affiliated Personnel compensation and Backfill for Activated System Members employed by or otherwise associated with a for-profit Participating Agency. The Maximum Pay Rate Table does not apply to a System member whom a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency employs. Mobilization means the process of assembling equipment and personnel in response to an Alert or Activation. Non-Exempt means any System Member who is covered by 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq. Rehabilitation means the process of returning personnel and equipment to a pre-incident state of readiness after DHS terminates an Activation. (a) Cost neutrality. DHS policy is that an Alert or Activation should be as cost neutral as possible to Sponsoring Agencies and Participating Agencies. To make an Alert or Activation cost-neutral, DHS will reimburse under this subpart all reasonable, allowable, necessary and allocable costs that a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency incurs during the Alert or Activation. (b) Actual costs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, DHS will not reimburse a Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency for any costs greater than those that the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency actually incurs during an Alert, Activation. (c) Normal or predetermined practices. Consistent with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A–21, A–87, A–102 and A–110 (2 CFR part 215), as applicable, Sponsoring Agencies and Participating Agencies must adhere to their own normal and predetermined practices and policies of general application when requesting reimbursement from DHS except as it sets out in this subpart. (d) Indirect costs. Indirect costs beyond the administrative and management costs allowance established by §208.41 of this part are not allowable. Sponsoring Agencies are responsible for executing such agreements with Participating Agencies and Affiliated Personnel as may be necessary to implement the Sponsoring Agency's Response Cooperative Agreement with DHS. Those agreements must identify established hourly or daily rates of pay for System Members. The hourly or daily rates of pay for Affiliated Personnel must be in accordance with, and must not exceed, the maximum pay rates contained in the then-current Maximum Pay Rate Table. DHS will not reimburse costs incurred during an Advisory. (a) Allowable costs. DHS will reimburse costs incurred during an Alert, up to the dollar limit specified in the Alert Order, for the following activities: (1) Personnel costs, including Backfill, incurred to prepare for Activation. (2) Transportation costs relating to hiring, leasing, or renting vehicles and drivers. (3) The administrative allowance provided in §208.41 of this part. (4) Food and beverages for Task Force Members and Support Specialists when DHS does not provide meals during the Alert. DHS will limit food and beverage reimbursement to the amount of the then-current Federal meals daily allowance published in the (b) Calculation of Alert Order dollar limit. The Alert Order dollar limit will equal: (1) An allowance of 10 percent of the Task Force's Daily Cost Estimate; and (2) A supplemental allowance of 1 percent of the Task Force's Daily Cost Estimate for each 24-hour period beyond the first 72 hours of Alert. (c) Non-allowable costs. DHS will not reimburse costs incurred or relating to the leasing, hiring or chartering of aircraft or the purchase of any equipment, aircraft, or vehicles. (a) Allowable costs. DHS will reimburse costs incurred for the emergency procurement of equipment and supplies in the number, type, and up to the cost specified in the current approved Equipment Cache List, and up to the aggregate dollar limit specified in the Activation Order. The Director may determine emergency procurement dollar limits, taking into account previous Activation history, available funding, the extent and nature of the incident, and the current state of Task Force readiness. (b) Non-Allowable costs. DHS will not reimburse costs incurred for items that are not listed on the Equipment Cache List; for items purchased greater than the cost or quantity identified in the Equipment Cache List; or for any purchase of non-expendable items that duplicate a previous purchase under a Preparedness or Response Cooperative Agreement. With the exception of emergency procurement authorized in the Activation Order, and replacement of consumable items provided for in §208.43(a)(2) of this subpart, DHS will not reimburse costs incurred for re-supply and logistical support during Activation. Re-supply and logistical support of Task Forces needed during Activation are the responsibility of the Joint Management Team. (a) Compensation. DHS will reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for costs incurred for the compensation of each Activated System Member during Activation. Reimbursement of compensation costs for Activated Support Specialists will be limited to periods of time during which they were actively supporting the Activation or traveling to or from locations at which they were actively supporting the Activation. The provisions of §208.40 of this part govern costs incurred for providing fringe benefits to System Members. (b) Public Safety Exemption not applicable. DHS will reimburse Sponsoring Agencies for costs incurred by Non-Exempt System Members in accordance with 29 U.S.C. 207(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, without regard to the public safety exemption contained in 29 U.S.C. 207(k). In other words, DHS will reimburse Sponsoring Agencies on an overtime basis for any hours worked by Non-Exempt System Members greater than 40 hours during a regular workweek. (c) Tour of duty. The tour of duty for all Activated System Members will be 24 hours. DHS will reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for salary and overtime costs incurred in compensating System Members for meal periods and regularly scheduled sleep periods during Activation. Activated System Members are considered “on-duty” and must be available for immediate response at all times during Activation. (d) Regular rate. The regular rate for purposes of calculating allowable salary and overtime costs is the amount determined in accordance with §208.39(e)(1) through (3) of this subpart. (e) Procedures for calculating compensation during Activation. A Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency must: (1) Convert the base hourly wage of any Non-Exempt System Member regularly paid under 29 U.S.C. 207(k) to its equivalent for a 40-hour work week; (2) Convert the annual salary of any salaried Non-Exempt System Member to its hourly equivalent for a 40-hour workweek; (3) Calculate the daily compensation of Exempt System Members based on their current annual salary, exclusive of fringe benefits; (4) Calculate the total number of hours worked by each System Member to be included in the Sponsoring Agency's request for reimbursement; and (5) Submit a request for reimbursement under §208.52 of this part according to the following table: (f) Reimbursement of additional salary and overtime costs. DHS will reimburse any identified additional salary and overtime cost incurred by a Sponsoring Agency as a result of the temporary conversion of a Non-Exempt System Member normally compensated under 29 U.S.C. 207(k) to a 40-hour work week under 29 U.S.C. 207(a). (g) Reimbursement for Backfill costs upon Activation. DHS will reimburse the cost to Backfill System Members. Backfill costs consist of the expenses generated by filling the position in which the Activated System Member should have been working. These costs are calculated by subtracting the non-overtime compensation, including fringe benefits, of Activated System Members from the total costs (non-overtime and overtime compensation, including fringe benefits) paid to Backfill the Activated System Members. Backfill reimbursement is available only for those positions that are normally Backfilled by the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency during Activation. Employees exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) not normally Backfilled by the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency are not eligible for Backfill during Activation. (a) Except as specified in §208.40 (c) of this subpart, DHS will reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for fringe benefit costs incurred during Activation according to the following table: (b) Differential pay. DHS will reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for direct costs incurred because of any separate differential compensation paid for work performed during an Activation including, but not limited to, differentials paid for holidays, night work, hazardous duty, or other paid fringe benefits, provided such differentials are not otherwise reimbursed under paragraph (a) of this section. A detailed explanation of the differential payment for which the Sponsoring Agency seeks reimbursement must accompany any request for reimbursement under this section together with identification of every fringe benefit sought under §208.40(a) of this part and the method used to calculate each such payment and the reimbursement sought from DHS. (c) DHS will not reimburse the Sponsoring Agency for fringe benefit costs for Affiliated Personnel. (a) The administrative allowance is intended to defray costs of the following activities, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) of this section: (1) Collecting expenditure information from Sponsoring Agencies and Participating Agencies; (2) Compiling and summarizing cost records and reimbursement claims; (3) Duplicating cost records and reimbursement claims; and (4) Submitting reimbursement claims, including mailing, transmittal, and related costs. (b) The administrative allowance will be equal to the following: (1) If total allowable costs are less than $100,000, 3 percent of total allowable costs included in the reimbursement claim; (2) If total allowable costs are $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000, $3,000 plus 2 percent of costs included in the reimbursement claim greater than $100,000; (3) If total allowable costs are $1,000,000 or more, $21,000 plus 1 percent of costs included in the reimbursement claim greater than $1,000,000. Costs incurred for conducting after-action meetings and preparing after-action reports must be billed as direct costs in accordance with DHS administrative policy. DHS will reimburse costs incurred to return System equipment and personnel to a state of readiness following Activation as provided in this section. (a) Costs for Equipment Cache List items—(1) Non-consumable items. DHS will reimburse costs incurred to repair or replace any non-consumable item on the Equipment Cache List that was lost, damaged, destroyed, or donated at DHS direction to another entity, during Activation. For each such item, the Sponsoring Agency must document, in writing, the circumstances of the loss, damage, destruction, or donation. (2) Consumable items. DHS will reimburse costs incurred to replace any consumable item on the Equipment Cache List that was consumed during Activation. (3) Personnel costs associated with equipment cache rehabilitation. DHS will reimburse costs incurred for the compensation, including benefits, payable for actual time worked by each person engaged in rehabilitating the equipment cache following Activation, in accordance with the standard pay policy of the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency and without regard to the provisions of §208.39(e)(1) of this part, up to the number of hours specified in the Demobilization Order. Fringe benefits are reimbursed under the provisions of §208.40 of this part. (b) Costs for personnel rehabilitation. DHS will reimburse costs incurred for the compensation, including benefits and Backfill, of each Activated System Member regularly scheduled to work during the rehabilitation period specified in the Demobilization Order, in accordance with the standard pay policy of the Sponsoring Agency or Participating Agency and without regard to the provisions of §208.39(e)(1) of this part. (c) Other allowable costs—(1) Local transportation. DHS will reimburse costs incurred for transporting Task Force Members from the point of assembly to the point of departure and from the point of return to the location where they are released from duty. DHS will also reimburse transportation costs incurred for assembling and moving the equipment cache from its usual place(s) of storage to the point of departure, and from the point of return to its usual place(s) of storage. Such reimbursement will include costs to return the means of transportation to its point of origin. (2) Ground transportation. When DHS orders a Sponsoring Agency to move its Task Force Members and equipment cache by ground transportation, DHS will reimburse costs incurred for such transportation, including but not limited to charges for contract carriers, rented vehicles, contract vehicle operators, fleet vehicles, fuel and associated transportation expenses. The Director has authority to issue schedules of maximum hourly or per mile reimbursement rates for fleet and contract vehicles. (3) Food and beverages. DHS will reimburse expenditures for food and beverages for Activated Task Force Members and Support Specialists when the Federal government does not provide meals during Activation. Reimbursement of food and beverage costs for Activated Support Specialists will be limited to periods of time during which they were actively supporting the Activation or traveling to or from locations at which they were actively supporting the Activation. Food and beverage reimbursement will be limited to the amount of the then-current Federal meals and incidental expenses daily allowance published in the (a) Except as allowed under paragraph (b) of this section, DHS will not reimburse other costs incurred preceding, during or upon the conclusion of an Activation unless, before making the expenditure, the Sponsoring Agency has requested, in writing, permission for a specific expenditure and has received written permission from the Program Manager or his or her designee to make such expenditure. (b) At the discretion of the Program Manager or his or her designee, a request for approval of costs presented after the costs were incurred must be in writing and establish that: (1) The expenditure was essential to the Activation and was reasonable; (2) Advance written approval by the Program Manager was not feasible; and (3) Advance verbal approval by the Program Manager had been requested and was given. At the time of Activation of a Task Force, the Task Force will develop the documentation necessary to request an advance of funds be paid to such Task Force's Sponsoring Agency. Upon approval, DHS will submit the documentation to the Assistance Officer and will request an advance of funds up to 75 percent of the estimated personnel costs for the Activation. The estimated personnel costs will include the salaries, benefits, and Backfill costs for Task Force Members and an estimate of the salaries, benefits and Backfill costs required for equipment cache rehabilitation. The advance of funds will not include any costs for equipment purchase. Title to equipment purchased by a Sponsoring Agency with funds provided under a DHS Response Cooperative Agreement vests in the Sponsoring Agency, provided that DHS reserves the right to transfer title to the Federal Government or a third party that DHS may name, under 44 CFR 13.32(g), when a Sponsoring Agency indicates or demonstrates that it cannot fulfill its obligations under the Memorandum of Agreement. (a) Purpose. This subpart identifies the procedures that Sponsoring Agencies must use to request reimbursement from DHS for costs incurred under Response Cooperative Agreements. (b) Policy. It is DHS policy to reimburse Sponsoring Agencies as expeditiously as possible consistent with Federal laws and regulations. (a) General. A Sponsoring Agency must present a claim for reimbursement to DHS in such manner as the Director specifies . (b) Time for submission. (1) Claims for reimbursement must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the Personnel Rehabilitation Period specified in the Demobilization Order. (2) The Director may extend and specify the time limitation in paragraph (b)(1) of this section when the Sponsoring Agency justifies and requests the extension in writing. When DHS receives a reviewable claim for reimbursement, DHS will review the claim to determine whether and to what extent reimbursement is allowable. Except as provided in §208.63 of this part, DHS will complete its review and give written notice to the Sponsoring Agency of its determination within 90 days after the date DHS receives the claim. If DHS determines that any item of cost is not eligible for reimbursement, its notice of determination will specify the grounds on which DHS disallowed reimbursement. DHS will reimburse all allowable costs for which a Sponsoring Agency requests reimbursement within 30 days after DHS determines that reimbursement is allowable, in whole or in part, at any stage of the reimbursement and appeal processes identified in this subpart. (a) Initial appeal. The Sponsoring Agency may appeal to the Program Manager any determination made under §208.60 of this part to disallow reimbursement of an item of cost: (1) The appeal must be in writing and submitted within 60 days after receipt of DHS's written notice of disallowance under §208.60 of this part. (2) The appeal must contain legal and factual justification for the Sponsoring Agency's contention that the cost is allowable. (3) Within 90 days after DHS receives an appeal, the Program Manager will review the information submitted, make such additional investigations as necessary, make a determination on the appeal, and submit written notice of the determination of the appeal to the Sponsoring Agency. (b) Final appeal. (1) If the Program Manager denies the initial appeal, in whole or in part, the Sponsoring Agency may submit a final appeal to the Deputy Director. The appeal must be made in writing and must be submitted not later than 60 days after receipt of written notice of DHS's determination of the initial appeal. (2) Within 90 days following the receipt of a final appeal, the Deputy Director will render a determination and notify the Sponsoring Agency, in writing, of the final disposition of the appeal. (c) Failure to file timely appeal. If the Sponsoring Agency does not file an appeal within the time periods specified in this section, DHS will deem that the Sponsoring Agency has waived its right to appeal any decision that could have been the subject of an appeal. (a) At any stage of the reimbursement and appeal processes identified in this subpart, DHS may request the Sponsoring Agency to provide supplemental information that DHS considers necessary to determine either a claim for reimbursement or an appeal. The Sponsoring Agency must exercise its best efforts to provide the supplemental information and must submit to DHS a written response that includes such supplemental information as the Sponsoring Agency is able to provide within 30 days after receiving DHS's request. (b) If DHS makes a request for supplemental information at any stage of the reimbursement and appeal processes, the applicable time within which its determination of the claim or appeal is to be made will be extended by 30 days. However, without the consent of the Sponsoring Agency, no more than one such time extension will be allowed for any stage of the reimbursement and appeal processes. (a) Non-Federal audit. For Sponsoring Agencies and States, requirements for non-Federal audit are contained in 44 CFR 13.26, in accordance with OMB Circular A–133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. (b) Federal audit. DHS or the General Accounting Office may elect to conduct a Federal audit of any payment made to a Sponsoring Agency or State. When sending all submissions, determinations, and requests for supplemental information under this subpart, all parties must use a means of delivery that permits both the sender and addressee to verify the dates of delivery. (a) Upon written request by the Sponsoring Agency DHS will reopen the time period for submission of a request for reimbursement after the Sponsoring Agency has submitted its request for reimbursement, if: (1) The salary or wage rate applicable to the period of an Activation is retroactively changed due to the execution of a collective bargaining agreement, or due to the adoption of a generally applicable State or local law, ordinance or wage order or a cost-of-living adjustment; (2) The Sponsoring Agency or any Participating Agency incurs an additional cost because of a legally-binding determination; or (3) The Deputy Director determines that other extenuating circumstances existed that prevented the Sponsoring Agency from including the adjustment of costs in its original submission. (c) The Sponsoring Agency must notify DHS as early as practicable that it anticipates such a request.
Title 44: Emergency Management and Assistance
PART 208—NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM
Section Contents
§ 208.1 Purpose and scope of this part.
§ 208.2 Definitions of terms used in this part.
§ 208.3 Authority for the National US&R Response System.
§ 208.4 Purpose for System.
§ 208.5 Authority of the Director of the Response Division (Director).
§ 208.6 System resource reports.
§ 208.7 Enforcement.
§ 208.8 Code of conduct.
§ 208.9 Agreements between Sponsoring Agencies and Participating Agencies.
§ 208.10 Other regulations.
§ 208.11 Federal status of System Members.
§ 208.12 Maximum Pay Rate Table.
§§ 208.13-208.20 [Reserved]
§ 208.21 Purpose.
§ 208.22 Preparedness Cooperative Agreement process.
§ 208.23 Allowable costs under Preparedness Cooperative Agreements.
§ 208.24 Purchase and maintenance of items not listed on Equipment Cache List.
§ 208.25 Obsolete equipment.
§ 208.26 Accountability for use of funds.
§ 208.27 Title to equipment.
§§ 208.28-208.30 [Reserved]
§ 208.31 Purpose.
§ 208.32 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
§ 208.33 Allowable costs.
§ 208.34 Agreements between Sponsoring Agencies and others.
§ 208.35 Reimbursement for Advisory.
§ 208.36 Reimbursement for Alert.
§ 208.37 Reimbursement for equipment and supply costs incurred during Activation.
§ 208.38 Reimbursement for re-supply and logistics costs incurred during Activation.
§ 208.39 Reimbursement for personnel costs incurred during Activation.
§ 208.40 Reimbursement of fringe benefit costs during Activation.
§ 208.41 Administrative allowance.
§ 208.42 Reimbursement for other administrative costs.
§ 208.43 Rehabilitation.
§ 208.44 Reimbursement for other costs.
§ 208.45 Advance of funds.
§ 208.46 Title to equipment.
§§ 208.47-208.50 [Reserved]
§ 208.51 General.
§ 208.52 Reimbursement procedures.
§§ 208.53-208.59 [Reserved]
§ 208.60 Determination of claims.
§ 208.61 Payment of claims.
§ 208.62 Appeals.
§ 208.63 Request by DHS for supplemental information.
§ 208.64 Administrative and audit requirements.
§ 208.65 Mode of transmission.
§ 208.66 Reopening of claims for retrospective or retroactive adjustment of costs.
§§ 208.67-208.70 [Reserved]
Subpart A—General
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§ 208.1 Purpose and scope of this part.
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§ 208.2 Definitions of terms used in this part.
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§ 208.3 Authority for the National US&R Response System.
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§ 208.4 Purpose for System.
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§ 208.5 Authority of the Director of the Response Division (Director).
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§ 208.6 System resource reports.
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§ 208.7 Enforcement.
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§ 208.8 Code of conduct.
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§ 208.9 Agreements between Sponsoring Agencies and Participating Agencies.
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§ 208.10 Other regulations.
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§ 208.11 Federal status of System Members.
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§ 208.12 Maximum Pay Rate Table.
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§§ 208.13-208.20 [Reserved]
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Subpart B—Preparedness Cooperative Agreements
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§ 208.21 Purpose.
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§ 208.22 Preparedness Cooperative Agreement process.
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§ 208.23 Allowable costs under Preparedness Cooperative Agreements.
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§ 208.24 Purchase and maintenance of items not listed on Equipment Cache List.
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§ 208.25 Obsolete equipment.
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§ 208.26 Accountability for use of funds.
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§ 208.27 Title to equipment.
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§§ 208.28-208.30 [Reserved]
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Subpart C—Response Cooperative Agreements
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§ 208.31 Purpose.
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§ 208.32 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
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§ 208.33 Allowable costs.
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§ 208.34 Agreements between Sponsoring Agencies and others.
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§ 208.35 Reimbursement for Advisory.
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§ 208.36 Reimbursement for Alert.
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§ 208.37 Reimbursement for equipment and supply costs incurred during Activation.
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§ 208.38 Reimbursement for re-supply and logistics costs incurred during Activation.
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§ 208.39 Reimbursement for personnel costs incurred during Activation.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ And the Sponsoring If the Sponsoring Agency or Agency or Then the following Participating Agency * * * Participating compensation costs Agency * * * are allowable:------------------------------------------------------------------------(i) Customarily and usually Does not The daily compensates Exempt System customarily and compensation Members by paying a salary, usually grant equivalent but not overtime, compensatory time calculated under or other form of § overtime 208.39(e)(3) of substitute to this part for Exempt System each Activated members. Exempt System Member for each full or partial day during Activation.(ii) Customarily and usually Customarily and The daily compensates Exempt System usually awards compensation Members by paying a salary but compensatory time equivalent not overtime or other overtime calculated under substitute for § Exempt System 208.39(e)(3) of Members for hours this part for worked above a each Activated predetermined Exempt System hours threshold Member for each (for example, the full or partial Sponsoring Agency day during customarily and Activation AND usually grants the dollar value compensatory time at the time of for all hours accrual of the worked above 60 in compensatory time a given week). or other overtime substitute for each Activated Exempt System Member based on the duration of the Activation.(iii) Customarily and usually Customarily and The daily compensates Exempt System usually calculates compensation Members by paying a salary and overtime for equivalent overtime, Exempt System calculated under Members by paying § a predetermined 208.39(e)(3) of overtime payment this part for for each hour each Activated worked above a Exempt System predetermined Member for each hours threshold,. full or partial day during Activation AND the predetermined overtime payment for each hour during the Activation above the previously determined hours threshold for each Activated Exempt System Member.(iv) Customarily and usually Does not For each seven-day compensates Non-Exempt System customarily and period during the Members by paying overtime usually grant Activation, the after 40 hours per week, compensatory time hourly wage of or other form of each Activated overtime Non-Exempt System substitute to Non- Member for the Exempt System first 40 hours members,. AND the overtime payment for each Activated Non- Exempt System Member for every hour over 40.(v) Customarily and usually Does not For each seven-day compensates Non-Exempt System customarily and period during the Members according to a usually grant Activation, the compensation plan established compensatory time hourly wage under 29 U.S.C. 207(k), or other form of equivalent of overtime each Activated substitute to Non- Non-Exempt System Exempt System Member calculated Members,. under § 208.39(e)(1) of this part for the first 40 hours AND the overtime payment equivalent for each Activated Non-Exempt System Member calculated under § 208.39(e)(1) of this part for every hour over 40.(vi) Activates Personnel, who ................... For each seven-day are customarily and usually period during the paid an hourly wage according Affiliated to the Maximum Pay Rate Table, Activation, the hourly wage for each Activated Affiliated Personnel for the first 40 hours and one and one- half times the hourly wage for each Activated Affiliated Personnel for every hour over 40.(vii) Activates Affiliated ................... The daily Personnel who are customarily compensation rate and usually paid a daily for each compensation rate according to Activated the Maximum Pay Rate Table, Affiliated Personnel for each full or partial day during the Activation.------------------------------------------------------------------------
§ 208.40 Reimbursement of fringe benefit costs during Activation.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Then the Sponsoring If the Sponsoring Agency or Agency or Participating Agency * * * Participating Example Agency must * * *------------------------------------------------------------------------(1) Incurs a fringe benefit Bill DHS for a pro- The City Fire cost based on the number of rata share of the Department incurs base hours worked by a System premium based on a premium of 3 Member, the number of base percent for hours worked dental coverage during Activation. based on the number of base hours worked in a week (53 hours). The City should bill DHS an additional 3 percent of the firefighter's converted compensation for the first 40 hours Activation.(2) Incurs a fringe benefit Bill DHS for a pro- The City Fire cost based on the number of rata share of the Department pays a hours a System Member actually premium based on premium of 12 worked (base hours and the number of percent for overtime), hours each System retirement based Member worked on the number of during Activation. hours worked by a firefighter. The City should bill DHS an additional 12 percent of the firefighter's total compensation during Activation.(3) Incurs a fringe benefit Bill DHS for a pro- The City Fire cost on a yearly basis based rata share of Department pays on the number of people those fringe workers employed full-time during the benefit costs compensation year, based on the premiums into the number of non- City risk fund overtime hours for the following worked during year, based on Activation by the number of System Members full-time employed full time. firefighters employed during the current year. The City should bill DHS for workers compensation premium costs by multiplying the hourly fringe benefit rate or amount by the number of non- overtime hours worked during Activation by full time firefighters who are System Members.------------------------------------------------------------------------
§ 208.41 Administrative allowance.
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§ 208.42 Reimbursement for other administrative costs.
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§ 208.43 Rehabilitation.
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§ 208.44 Reimbursement for other costs.
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§ 208.45 Advance of funds.
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§ 208.46 Title to equipment.
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§§ 208.47-208.50 [Reserved]
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Subpart D—Reimbursement Claims and Appeals
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§ 208.51 General.
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§ 208.52 Reimbursement procedures.
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§§ 208.53-208.59 [Reserved]
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§ 208.60 Determination of claims.
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§ 208.61 Payment of claims.
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§ 208.62 Appeals.
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§ 208.63 Request by DHS for supplemental information.
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§ 208.64 Administrative and audit requirements.
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§ 208.65 Mode of transmission.
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§ 208.66 Reopening of claims for retrospective or retroactive adjustment of costs.
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§§ 208.67-208.70 [Reserved]
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