The FEMA Disaster Tool enables users to quickly check disaster declarations in the area around a loan's subject property. It pulls data directly from FEMA's website using the Encompass® and FEMA APIs, showing any declared disasters from the past 12 months (from the declaration date).

This tool supports both manual searches and automated workflows, helping organizations stay informed and compliant.

Because the API version runs server-side, there is no desktop plugin to install.

 

Benefits

  • Fast, reliable disaster verification
  • Automation and efficiency gains
  • Strong Audit and review controls
  • Admin-friendly configuration
  • No Encompass® plugin overhead

 

Prerequisites

Please note that before these tools can be activated, clients must be able to access the Toolshed Portal and have obtained API credentials.

Toolshed Portal

If the primary Encompass® Administrator does not have access to the Toolshed Portal, please email support@lendertoolkit.com with the administrator's name, email address, phone number and the Encompass® Client ID.  Our support team will be happy to assist with setting up access.

API User and Persona

Please note that the API versions of our PowerTools™ and automations require an API user to be created in each instance where the PowerTools™ are installed. Lender Toolkit can submit a request to ICE to generate the Client ID and secret key pair.

If credentials have not yet been obtained, use the link below to request credentials.

Request API Credentials for PowerTools and Automations

 

Activation

FEMA Disaster Search - API is activated through the Toolshed Portal.

  1. Sign in to Toolshed Portal with an administrator account. Select the correct Encompass® instance.
  2. Open Settings > Enabled Products.
  3. Locate FEMA Disaster Search - API. Move the switch to On.
  4. Download and save the FEMA Disaster Search - API Installation Package
  5. Open Input Form Builder › Manage Customizations › Import Package Wizard.
  6. Browse to the downloaded package and click Import.

Important: The API and SDK versions of the PowerTool™ cannot be active at the same time. Companies currently using the SDK (desktop) version must turn off and uninstall it before activating the API version.

 

How to Use the Tool

Manual Search

  1. Open the form: LTK – FEMA Disaster Search – API.
  2. Click Update from FEMA to search for disasters based on the subject property’s location.

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Automated Search

Admins can automate searches using a custom field trigger rule. The custom field to trigger the automation is [CX.FEMA.TRIGGER.API]. When this field is set to the NOW() function, the tool automatically runs a search using census data.

Important Note:

Regardless of whether the search is manual or automated, the loan must be saved and closed for the search to begin. This is because the current version of the Encompass® API can only update data fields while the loan is closed. There may be a short delay (1-2 minutes) after closing the loan while the API gains exclusive access and completes the update.

This requirement is expected to be removed in a future update.

Search Results

The tool will return up to 5 disasters, each shown in its own tab, and display the following:

  • Disaster Code – Only designations of DR will be returned
  • Disaster Title and Type
  • Incident Start/End Dates
  • Declaration Date
  • Assistance availability

Users can add internal comments and mark each disaster as reviewed or approved using custom fields.

Tracking and Review Tools

For each disaster, the tool provides custom fields to help with internal review:

  1. [CX.FEMA.DISASTER.DEC.OR.x] – Checkbox to mark override approval
  2. [CX.FEMA.DISASTER.RES.DATE.x] – Date of review
  3. [CX.FEMA.DISASTER.COMMENTS.x] – Notes or comments

This allows managers or reviewers to confirm disaster impact before the loan moves forward.

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eFolder Integration

The tool can automatically generate a PDF report of the search results and save it to the eFolder.

 

Installed Components

  • Custom Form: LTK – FEMA Disaster Tool – API
  • Codebase Assemblies: None
  • Custom Data Objects: None

Custom Fields Created

The link below contains a list of custom fields that are used in the FEMA Disaster Search.

FEMA - Custom Fields.xlsx