Register/Login
Contact Us
Local Disaster Recovery Manager (LDRM)

Local Disaster Recovery Manager (LDRM)

  • home
  • Local Disaster Recovery Manager (LDRM)

Gain tools and strategies to establish a recovery office, coordinate stakeholders, and guide long-term community recovery. This course prepares local leaders to move from response into organized recovery with clarity and structure.

Course Content

Launching & Leading Local Recovery Operations
22 Topics
2 Quizzes
Welcome to the Local Disaster Recovery Manager Certificate: Your Complete Roadmap for Leading Community Recovery
Defining the Local Disaster Recovery Manager Role: Core Responsibilities and Common Misconceptions
Mapping Your Recovery Landscape: Key Partners, Roles, and Initial Steps
The Core Functions of a Local Recovery Office: What It Does and Doesn’t Do
Pitching a Recovery Office Successfully to Leadership and Elected Officials
Blueprint for Structuring Your Recovery Office: A Step-by-Step Guide
Rapid Staffing for Recovery Operations: Quickly Attracting and Hiring the Right Talent
Preventing Burnout and Supporting Staff in Long-Term Recovery Operations
Leveraging Admin and Planning Grants for Early Recovery Funding
How to Secure Flexible Early Recovery Funds from Philanthropy and the Private Sector
Creating and Justifying Your Startup Budget for Recovery Operations
Avoiding Early Procurement and Contracting Pitfalls in Recovery
Procurement Pitfalls
Prioritizing Recovery Tasks Using the ‘Stacks Not Phases’ Framework
Running Effective Goal-Setting Workshops With Partners
Communicating Recovery Goals Clearly and Realistically
Updating Recovery Priorities Without Losing Momentum
Structuring Weekly Recovery Meetings That Drive Real Progress
Building a Balanced Recovery Calendar: Managing Urgency and Capacity
Task and Follow-Up Management Without Expensive Software
Effective Coordination Across Departments Without Direct Authority
Smoothly Transitioning and Closing Your Recovery Office Without Losing Progress
Closing the Recovery Office
Maintaining Operational Consistency Through Staff Turnover
Building Strong Cross-Sector Recovery Partnerships
17 Topics
2 Quizzes
Understanding Recovery Coordination Structures: RSFs, Working Groups, or Custom Models
Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities to Prevent Turf Wars
Establishing Your Local Recovery Coordination Structure
Integrating State and Federal Recovery Support Systems Into Your Recovery Operation
Crafting Effective Requests for State and Federal Recovery Assistance
Managing Conflicting Priorities with State and Federal Partners
Using Technical Assistance from State and Federal Partners Effectively
Using State and Federal TA
Maximizing the Impact of Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Private Partners
Engaging Partners Effectively Without Losing Control or Focus
Aligning Public Recovery Goals with Private Sector Resources
Sustaining Multi-Year Cross-Sector Collaborations
Preventing Duplication, Drift, and Tension Across Recovery Partners
Structuring Recovery Meetings That Actually Achieve Results
Facilitating Focused Discussions and Preventing Spirals
Managing Difficult Personalities and Group Dynamics Effectively
Determining When to Merge, Redesign, or Sunset a Recovery Group
Communicating Wins to Sustain Engagement and Momentum
Communicating Wins
Funding & Finance for Disaster Recovery Managers
18 Topics
2 Quizzes
Understanding What Disaster Recovery Funding Actually Covers
Flow of Public, Private, and Philanthropic Recovery Dollars
Integrating FEMA PA, IA, HMGP, and CDBG-DR Funds Strategically
Identifying Flexible and Early-Action Funding Sources
Forecasting and Phasing Funding for Multi-Year Recovery
What Blending, Braiding, and Sequencing Funds Actually Means (and How It Works in Practice)
Developing Layered Funding Strategies for Complex Recovery Projects
Matching the Right Funding Sources to Your Recovery Projects
Navigating Match Requirements and Overlapping Funding Rules
Match and Overlap Rules
Understanding Compliance Clearly: Why It Matters and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
Building a Reliable and Effective Documentation System for Disaster Recovery
Maintaining Audit-Readiness for Contracts, Procurement, and Invoices
Training Your Team on Compliance Without Creating Fear or Resistance
Building Strong, Effective Partnerships with Finance Teams
Translating Recovery Goals into Finance Team Requirements
Aligning Project Planning with Procurement Timelines and Rules
Identifying Financial Issues Early: Effective Coordination Systems
Creating a Shared Playbook for Program and Finance Collaboration
Program-Finance Playbook
Recovery Communications & Public Trust
20 Topics
2 Quizzes
Critical Recovery Communications: What to Say (and Not Say) in the First 72 Hours
Crafting a Clear, Simple Public Recovery Narrative
Coordinating Consistent Messaging Across Departments and Partners
Preparing Leaders for Effective Public Communication During Recovery
Providing Recovery Updates Clearly Without Causing Panic or Confusion
Presenting Complex Recovery Information Clearly and Understandably
Handling Tough Questions Confidently (Without Becoming Defensive)
Managing Emotionally Charged Crowds During Public Meetings
Creating Inclusive Spaces for Marginalized and Underserved Communities
Following Up After Community Meetings to Build Public Trust
Post-Meeting Follow Up
Managing Political Pressures Effectively to Keep Recovery On Track
Briefing Elected Officials Who Demand Rapid Results
Staying Nonpartisan and Credible During Leadership Changes
Documenting Recovery Progress for Smooth Leadership Transitions
Keeping Recovery Efforts Consistent Amid Political Shifts
Building a Core Message to Anchor All Recovery Communications
Using Visuals, Metrics, and Stories to Demonstrate Recovery Progress
Creating a Realistic, Sustainable Recovery Communications Cadence
Addressing Misinformation Effectively Without Amplifying It
Communicating Honestly When Recovery Efforts Stall or Face Challenges
Communicating When Efforts Stall
Tracking, Reporting, and Strategy Tools
19 Topics
2 Quizzes
Understanding Recovery Needs Assessments: Purpose, Value, and Common Mistakes
Designing an Efficient Recovery Needs Assessment (Without Wasting Time)
Gathering Cross-Sector Input Effectively (Without Overwhelming Partners)
Converting Interviews, Surveys, and Site Visits into Actionable Recovery Plans
Communicating Needs Assessment Results Transparently Without Overpromising
Defining a Practical Recovery Strategy: What It Is and Isn’t
Translating Identified Needs into Scalable, Fundable Recovery Projects
Creating Cross-Sector Recovery Strategies Beyond a Wish List
Keeping Recovery Strategies Adaptable to Changing Conditions and Funding
Adaptive Strategies
Tracking Cross-Agency Recovery Progress Without Creating Overload
Selecting and Using KPIs and Milestones That Reflect True Recovery Progress
Identifying Bottlenecks, Gaps, and Overlaps Before They Stall Your Recovery
Ensuring Tracking Systems Remain Effective Despite Staff Turnover
Creating a No-Code Recovery Dashboard Using Google Sheets or Excel
Developing One-Page Recovery Snapshots for Funders and Officials
Tailoring Recovery Reports Effectively for Different Audiences
Communicating Recovery Successes Credibly and Effectively
Keeping Reports and Dashboards Meaningful Without Burning Out Your Team
Meaningful Reports and Dashboards
You’re Ready to Lead: Turning Your New Skills into Real-World Recovery Success