How to Become a FEMA Home Inspector
When victims of natural disasters have damage to their homes, one of their options for financial assistance is offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To receive assistance from FEMA, however, disaster victims must first schedule a home inspection. With the proper training and certification, you might be the next person deployed to a disaster location to perform some of these FEMA home inspections.
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Instructions
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Get related experience. According to the Partnership for Response and Recovery (PaRR), a home inspection company contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals with a background in construction, real estate, appraising and related fields make good candidates for FEMA home inspectors.
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Apply with a FEMA-contracted home inspection company. There are several companies that FEMA uses for home inspections, but the two main ones are PB Disaster Services (PB) and PaRR. Many home inspection candidates apply with both companies to maximize their chances of being contacted to perform FEMA home inspections.
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Complete the required training and certifications. Training is required before you can be deployed to a disaster site. Each FEMA-contracted home inspection company has its own form of training. For example, PB offers e-learning for courses on the inspection process and disaster types. In addition, PB offers field workshops throughout the US. On the other hand, PaRR requires all FEMA home inspection candidates to take a one-day course that covers topics such as FEMA procedures, computer training and inspection exercises.
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Get a background check. Both FEMA-contracted companies require that you get a background check, which is performed by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. In addition, if you have had a criminal background during the past 10 years, which includes convictions, imprisonment, parole or probation, you may be disqualified to become a FEMA home inspector. To find out if this applies to your situation, contact the FEMA-contracted home inspection companies prior to applying.
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Get fingerprinted. PaRR and PB require that you get fingerprinted before being deployed to a disaster area. Both companies will provide you with the paperwork and instructions on how to proceed.
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Wait for a disaster. When there is a national or local disaster, PaRR and PB will contact their list of individuals who have attended their training classes and have been certified as a FEMA home inspector. Both companies will pay for your transportation to and from the disaster area if you are called for deployment.
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Tips & Warnings
Because a FEMA home inspector is an independent contractor, you will have to pay your own expenses, including food, clothing and lodging, while you are working at a disaster location.
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Comments
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Anonymous
Jun 05, 2011
The truth about PaRR Inspections. After completing the workshop Parr will have spin your wills. You will spend a lot of time and money for finger prints background check etc. After a year or two, you may be deployed if you are deployed: This is what will happened. First you will arrive at the airport you will not find a hotel or a car to rent you will need to arrange it in advance DO NOT book the hotel for a long time you will be moving soon. Remember this is a disaster Zone all the hotels and cars are booked prepare to pay $50.00 a day for your car and $80.00 a day for your hotel. When you arrive at the Command Center it will be a Zoo. You will need to wait for the next workshop (about 3 Hr.) After completing the workshop they will send you to another workshop now with the computers and a test.(About 3 Hr.) After completing the computer workshop you will need to stand in line by a trailer outside to get your own computer and a NEW budge. (About 2 Hr.) When you get your computer it will not be ready and you will need to perform the preparations and set-ups procedures to be able to download any work. Your First day is GONE. Next after your setup is done you will receive 3-5 applications you will need to contact the applicants, set up the appointments and do the inspection. But only 3. At the conclusion of your 3 inspections you will need to return to the Command Center to be evaluated. It will most likely be one or two Hrs drive and one or two Hrs waiting for the next supervisor. (Remember it’s a Zoo) about 1,000 to 3,000 inspectors running around with computer in a large hotel convention room. The supervisors will neat-pick your work, will ok it or may send you back for corrections. Remember you will have only scratched the surface after attending a one- or two-day workshop. Your real training will be in the field. Even after several inspections you will still be learning. FEMA is constantly changing their guidelines. It is practically impassable to get any help from the trainers you are always on your own and will be corrected by the quality control agents in Virginia you may be humiliated for being so misinformed. Don’t expect any help in the field these people don’t answer their phones. PaRR is deploying too many inspectors in a way that makes it hard for the inspectors to earn money. If you lucky you will have 5 – 7 inspections in the first day and it will taper off daily. Remember it will cost you about $200.00 a day with at list 2 – 3 days wasted (definitely the first and the last). -
alore
Nov 22, 2010
I don't know where 1st Sgt. Pinkerton is coming from but he and you will have a very hard time finding an inspector with these qualifications. I am a member of ICC and with it I get no inspection information. I checked out a building inspection technology web site and found that after 35 years in building I all ready know what they teach as do many other inspectors. Maybe he should study up on what an inspector needs for qualification. Other than a patch on your shoulder where is your qualification information sir? If your inspector made you mad maybe you should have done a little more checking of his/hers credentials before you hired him.
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1stSgtPinkerton
May 02, 2010
BEWARE! Most of these so called inspectors have little to no training and education in Building Inspection Technology. Ask for their ICC Certification, if they don't have one, they are not REAL Building Inspectors! You have a legal right to proper representation!
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sunshineandrose
Jun 06, 2009
Good information about Fema home inspector.
