Debra Bearam

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE (Qualified) CREW LEADER CANDIDATE - Texas DR4781 at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2024-05-18 – 2024-07-27)

Served as Acting Crew Lead when needed.

• Overseeing programs and preparing reports as an assistant to the Crew Lead
• Participated in daily briefings with leadership
• Communicated technical guidance to assigned staff as well as governmental partners
• Interacted with stakeholders in the community and coordinate assistance with Survivors
• Maintained accountability for staff, updated information to the Deployment Tracking System (DTS)
• Oversaw the processes for staff and insuring documents are processed correctly and in accordance with policy with uploading to the National Processing Center
• Ensured support services are delivered to the individuals in the community
• Provided briefing to the team Pre-Shift daily updates and community partners

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2025-05-26 – Present)

50 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2025-01-27 – 2025-03-01)

50 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2024-08-14 – 2024-11-21)

60 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2024-05-18 – 2024-07-27)

84 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2023-12-27 – 2024-03-15)

77 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2023-08-15 – 2023-10-31)

84 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2023-06-03 – 2024-08-15)

84 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2023-04-03 – 2023-04-28)

77 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Applicant Services Program Specialist - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2022-10-17 – 2023-03-10)

54 hours per week

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE - Qualified Crew Lead - Qualified at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2025-05 – Present)

• Manage appeals, audits, congressional requests, and applicant inquiries
• Guide staff through complex cases, ensuring appropriate actions and applicant support
• Lead meetings to review policies, celebrate successes, and identify improvements
• Conduct research and recommend resolutions for applicant cases
• Demonstrate exceptional communication with applicants, staff, and agencies

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE, Applicant Services Program Specialist - Trainee at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2022-09-29 – 2022-10-11)

Worked 60 hours per week.

• Communicating directly with disaster survivors, to discuss case status and provide clarification with the assistance process, disaster assistance programs, and the status of cases
• Entering and retrieving information from the National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS) software program in response to inquiries from applicants concerning the status of disaster applications
• Requesting and reviewing additional information and/or documentation from the applicant and verifying information is complete and appropriate
• Compiling, reconciling, and correlating voluminous workload data from a variety of sources with different reporting requirements and formats
• Crosschecking, analyzing, and interpreting data to obtain and provide accurate and relevant information
• Providing technical advice and assistance to survivors
• Managing and coordinating information processing in compliance with program directives or guidelines
• Worked with approx. 30 community service providers in getting services to Survivors
• Worked closely with Disaster Survivor Assistance and Mitigation Cadre's
• Assisted in setting up the DRC which includes the mandatory equipment, signage, and procedures
• Adhering to the Privacy Act and other Federal Laws and Regulations guiding federal assistance
• Data Input and navigation of Program Procedure Manual (PPM) & Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG) to deliver survivors accurate and empathetic service

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE, Applicant Services Program Specialist at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2022-01-13 – 2022-03-15)

• Provided logistics support to the humanitarian effort at the US Border. Collected and distributed supplies. Assisted immigrants and border personnel

Reservist - Individual Assistance CADRE, Applicant Services Program Specialist at US Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2021-12-19 – 2022-01-12)

• Assisted Department of State Attorney's Office by collecting, processing, and reviewing passports and other documents and presenting a report to the Lawyers to determine refugee status eligibility

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration – Post University (2018-10)

Minor in Human Resources – Post University (2016-05)

Contracting Officer Representative - Level II – Defense Acquisition University (2024-04)

Contracting Officer Representative - Level III – Defense Acquisition University (2024-07)

Individual and Households Program Crew Leaders Course – FEMA - Incident Workforce Academy (2024-05)

Individual Assistance Direct Housing Specialist – FEMA - Incident Workforce Academy (2024-03)