Safeguard Properties

Hurricane Ida Strengthens to Category 4 Storm

Posted on by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
August 29, 2021

Source: CNN
Additional Resource: NOOA

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

Hurricane Ida became a Category 4 storm early Sunday morning, rapidly intensifying to sustained winds of 150 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It was 60 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, NHC forecasters said in a 7 a.m. ET update, as the storm continued its march toward Louisiana and the Gulf Coast at 15 mph.

The hurricane has quickly increased in intensity since striking Cuba on Friday, threatening to be an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” when it makes its projected landfall along the Louisiana coast Sunday afternoon.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Supreme Court Allows Evictions to Resume During Pandemic

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
August 26, 2021

Source: Cleveland.com

The Supreme Court is allowing evictions to resume across the United States. The unsigned opinion indicated that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lacked the authority under Federal law.

To view full article, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster California Wildfires

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
August 24, 2021

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires that began on July 14, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance
  • Lassen
  • Nevada
  • Placer
  • Plumas

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

California Wildfires (DR-4610)

 

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Declared Disaster Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert Update
August 25, 2021

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Tennessee affected by a severe storm and flooding that took place on August 21, 2021. The following additional county has been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • Hickman

FEMA Declared Disaster Tennessee: ZIP Code List

Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4609 Amendment 2)

 

FEMA Alert Update
August 25, 2021

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Tennessee affected by a severe storm and flooding that took place on August 21, 2021. The following additional counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance
  • Dickson
  • Hickman
  • Houston

FEMA Declared Disaster Tennessee: ZIP Code List

Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4609 Amendment 1)

 

FEMA Alert
August 23, 2021

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Tennessee affected by a severe storm and flooding that took place on August 21, 2021. The following county has been approved for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance
  • Humphreys

FEMA Declared Disaster Tennessee: ZIP Code List

Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4609)

 

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Hurricane Henri Causes Flooding in Southern New England

Posted on by Safeguard

Updated 8/23/21: The Weather Channel published an article offering the latest on Hurricane Henri, which caused flooding rains and power outages across parts of the Northeast U.S.

Widespread Power Outages, Flooding Reported After Henri Makes Landfall

Approximate reported areas sustaining structural flooding:

Connecticut

– Groton (New London County, 06340, 06349)

– Manchester (Hartford County, 06040, 06041, 06042, 06045)

New Jersey

– Cranbury (Middlesex County, 08512)

– Helmetta (Middlesex County, 08828)

– Jamesburg (Middlesex County, 08831)

NOTE: This has NOT yet been declared a FEMA Major Disaster.

Updated 8/22/21: FEMA issued an update to an Emergency Declaration for areas in New York affected by Hurricane Henri beginning on August 21, 2021 and continuing.

New York Hurricane Henri (EM-3565 Amendment 1)

Associated County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/22/21: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Vermont affected by Tropical Storm Henri beginning on August 22, 2021 and continuing.

Vermont Tropical Storm Henri (EM-3567)

Associated County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/22/21: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in New York affected by Hurricane Henri beginning on August 21, 2021 and continuing.

New York Hurricane Henri (EM-3565)

Associated County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/22/21: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Connecticut affected by Hurricane Henri beginning on August 21, 2021 and continuing.

Connecticut Hurricane Henri (EM-3564)

Associated County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/22/21: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (Massachusetts) affected by Hurricane Henri beginning on August 20, 2021 and continuing.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Hurricane Henri (EM-3566)

Associated Tribal Area ZIP Code List

Updated 8/21/21: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Rhode Island affected by Hurricane Henri beginning on August 20, 2021 and continuing.

Rhode Island Hurricane Henri (EM-3563)

Associated County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/21/21: Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Henri.

Declaration of Civil Preparedness Emergency

Associated County ZIP Code List (Statewide)

Updated 8/20/21: Rhode Island Governor Daniel J. McKee issued a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Henri.

Executive Order 21-88

Associated County ZIP Code List (Statewide)

 

Disaster Alert
August 20, 2021

Source: CNN

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

(CNN) — The Northeast will see impacts from Tropical Storm Henri, perhaps even landfall, according to the latest guidance from the National Hurricane Center.

A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Long Island, from Fire Island Inlet on the south shore and Jefferson Harbor on the north shore eastward to Montauk, and from New Haven, Connecticut, eastward to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island, according to the NHC Friday morning.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for west of Fire Island Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet, west of Port Jefferson Harbor New York, and west of New Haven.

A storm surge watch is also issued for parts of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Pennsylvania Bill Would Require Property Registration, Annual Assessment

Posted on by Safeguard

Legislation Update
August 16, 2021

Source: LegiScan (HB 1791 Information/Full Text)

Sample Bill Text:

Section 2. Section 6141 of Title 53 is amended to read:
§ 6141. [(Reserved).] Vacant property registration and annual assessment.

(a) Authorization.–

(1) A municipality may impose and collect, by ordinance, a vacant property registration fee and a vacant property
annual assessment consistent with this section on properties deemed vacant and on properties deemed vacant blighted properties.

(2) A municipality with a vacant property registration ordinance in place prior to the effective date of this
subsection shall not be required to amend the ordinance to comply with the provisions of this section.

(b) Listing required.–

(1) A municipality that elects to impose and collect a fee and annual assessment under this section shall compile
and maintain a vacant and vacant blighted properties list that identifies by address and owner all vacant and vacant blighted properties in the municipality. Each listing shall contain the date the property was listed and whether the property is a vacant or vacant blighted property.

To view full proposed text, please click the source link above.

Several Dozen Homes Destroyed in Explosive Lake County Fire

Posted on by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
August 18, 2021

Source: SFGATE

Approximate impacted areas:

California

– Clearlake (Lake County, 95422)

NOTE: This has NOT yet been declared a FEMA Major Disaster.

The Cache Fire has blackened about 80 acres in Lake County and is 20% contained, according to a Cal Fire update issued Wednesday evening.

Several dozen homes were destroyed and one civilian injured in a Northern California wildfire that erupted Wednesday afternoon in the southeast area of Clearlake, a small city of 15,000 just north of the Bay Area.

“Hopefully we don’t find any things worse than that,” Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said in a video update on Facebook at 5:45 p.m.

Martin noted that Highways 29 and 53 have reopened with many streets still closed.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Caldor Fire Experiences Aggressive Growth in Northern California

Posted on by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
August 19, 2021

Source: CNN

Additional Resource:

Office of California Governor Newsom (Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in El Dorado County Due to Caldor Fire)

Associated County ZIP Code List

 

Approximate impacted areas:

California

– Grizzly Flats (El Dorado County, 95636)
– Omo Ranch (El Dorado County, 95684)
– Pollock Pines (El Dorado County, 95726)
– Somerset (El Dorado County, 95684)

NOTE: This has NOT yet been declared a FEMA Major Disaster.

(CNN) The Caldor Fire burning in California has grown 24 times its size in two days, forcing another 10,000 residents to evacuate.

Fueled by wind and dry conditions, the fire burning in El Dorado County swelled to 62,586 acres Wednesday and is 0% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire was sparked Saturday and the cause is unknown.

“The unfortunate thing is that these fires continue to get bigger,” Cal Fire Director Thom Porter said Wednesday at a news conference. “But we’re surging resources into communities to protect and reduce the impact.”

The fast-moving fire continued to burn through “several steep drainages with the aid of the large amounts of dry vegetation,” causing even more evacuations, Cal Fire said Wednesday.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster Montana Straight-Line Winds

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
August 13, 2021

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Montana affected by straight-line winds that took place June 10, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • Dawson
  • Garfield
  • McCone
  • Richland
  • Roosevelt

FEMA Declared Disaster Montana: ZIP Code List

Montana Straight-Line Winds (DR-4608)

 

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Tropical Depression Grace Moving Through Caribbean

Posted on by Safeguard

Disaster Alert
August 16, 2021

Source: WESH NBC 2

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

MIAMI — Tropical Depression Grace was approaching the southern coast of the Dominican Republic early Monday morning, and flash flooding is possible across the Dominican Republic and Haiti as the day progresses, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, the system had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Grace was 85 miles southeast of Port au Prince, Haiti, and 430 miles east of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

For full report, please click the source link above.

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

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Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

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CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties