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Poor documentation after Hurricane Helene cost county potential reimbursements, official says
Summary
Chief Carroll warned the commission that incomplete Form 214 activity logs and other missing documentation following Hurricane Helene likely reduced the county's ability to recoup disaster costs, and he urged better recordkeeping and forthcoming training.
Chief Carroll told the Oconee County Rescue Squad Advisory Commission on March 27 that incomplete documentation following Hurricane Helene likely reduced the county's recoverable disaster costs and that crews must improve activity logs and equipment records to secure reimbursements.
"For us to get any type of reimbursement, there has to be documentation of what you did, what you used, all of that," Chief Carroll said, noting low submission rates for vehicle activity logs (Form 214). He said the county's documentation shortfalls will translate to forgone recoupment even though crews worked extended periods during the event.
Carroll gave an example emphasizing the scale of potential reimbursement: "To give you an example, we're in the $2,030,000 dollars just in the generators that we will get back that we use for the power outages for the buildings, that that we're eligible." He said the county had few submitted 214s showing vehicle hours, chainsaw use and generator run time, which are needed to claim expenses and fuel for reimbursements.
Staff said they will provide additional training on completing Form 214 activity logs and encouraged chiefs to remind responders to record start/stop times and equipment usage. "When it comes to recouping money, we are the people that have to recoup it because the squads cannot," Carroll said, urging chiefs to document work during future incidents.
Carroll noted positive outcomes—few injuries and limited vehicle damage—but stressed the financial impact of missing paperwork and the county's plan to run targeted training and follow‑up after the meeting.
