Frequently Asked Questions

General Information
Online Application
Training Schedule
Online Tutorials
Fingerprint Background Checks
Badge Photo Submission

Who is PaRR Inspections?
Partnership for Response and Recovery (PaRR Inspections) is a joint venture that has been awarded a contract from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This contract is for the purpose of conducting habitability inspections on residential buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters throughout the United States, its territories, and protectorates. PaRR Inspections utilizes the services of independent inspectors to conduct the inspections. Note: PaRR Inspections is activated ONLY as the result of a Presidentially declared disaster.

What does an inspector do?
Disaster housing inspectors conduct room by room inspections of residential buildings. The damages are recorded in a pen-based hand held computer loaded with FEMA software. The average inspection lasts 30-45 minutes.

Will I be a federal government employee?
Inspectors remain independent consultants and are employees of neither PaRR nor the Federal Government. As a self-employed consultant, payroll taxes are not withheld and employee benefits are not paid.

Is this a full-time position?
This is not a full-time position. Because of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters, this work is periodic and on an "as needed" basis.

How am I paid?
Inspectors are paid every week on a per inspection basis. The current rate is $49.40 per inspection. Based on the type of disaster and its geographical makeup (rural/urban), most inspectors average 10-16 completed inspections per day. Inspectors are paid by check or by direct deposit if requested.

Who would pay my expenses?
PaRR Inspections provides transportation or mileage expenses to and from disaster sites. Since inspectors are independent consultants, all other expenses incurred are the responsibility of the inspector (i.e. lodging, food, rental car, etc).

Do I have to purchase any equipment?
No, the hand held computer and digital camera used by PaRR Inspections is provided to the inspector, at no cost, for the duration of the deployment.

How long will I be away from home?
While we ask our inspectors to sign a 30-day agreement, there is no guarantee that an inspector will be employed the full 30 days. The length of time away from home will be dependent on the needs of the disaster.

Is this work dangerous?
While a certain amount of caution should be exercised in any disaster area, by nature this work is not typically dangerous. Inspectors are neither required to climb on roofs nor under houses.

Who would be a good candidate for this type of work?
Anyone with experience in housing construction trades, real estate, appraisal, or related professional areas. People who have the flexibility to work on an "as needed" basis and can be away from home for extended periods of time. This includes, but is not limited to retired persons, persons who are self employed, and independent contractors.

How do I become a PaRR Inspector?
The first step is to fill out an online application form. Once your application is on file, you would be eligible to attend a training class. Upon successful completion of a training class, you would become a certified independent consultant for our company. You would then be eligible for deployment to a disaster if needed. Training schedules are posted on the web site. You have the ability to register for a class online.

I've filled out an application in the past, but have never attended a training class, what do I do?
Once an online application form is completed it remains in our system. Please Do Not fill out another one, it may create problems when trying to sign up for a training class. If you have moved and need to change your contact information, send an e-mail to: admin@parrinspections.com. Please provide your old contact information as well as the new information and PaRR will update your file for you. (Note: if you have attended a training class, and have an inspector ID number, you can change your contact information through the secured section of the web site.)

I can't remember if I filled out an application.
Please e-mail:admin@parrinspections.com and provide us with your full name, and contact information. We will look up your information in our system and let you know if we have an application on file.

Do I need to send in a resume?
No, the online application form contains all the pertinent information that is needed by PaRR Inspections.

Where are training classes held?
PaRR Inspections conducts training classes throughout the country and in Puerto Rico. Our current class schedule is always posted online.

Can I take the class online?
No. you must attend, complete, and pass our ACE III initial class in order to be eligible for deployment. Despite all prior experience, all inspectors must complete and pass our initial class in order to be eligible for deployment.

What information will be covered?
We offer a full-day initial training class, which gives an overview of PaRR Inspections and FEMA procedures, computer training/walk through, inspection exercises and discussion.

Is there a cost for the training class?
No, the training classes posted on the website are Free.

What time does registration open?
Usually classes posted online are open immediately for registration. However, if a trainer posts a class with registration lock, "registration will open on...", then it will open on the date specified. Unless otherwise stated, all classes open at 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

I don't see a class in my area, what should I do?
Periodically check the web site for training classes. While we try to offer rotating classes in every Training Region, the availability of these classes is dependent upon interest as well as disaster activity.

When do we update the website with new classes?
We post them immediately on the website.

Should I travel to a training class?
It would be your choice, however PaRR does not recommend you travel great distances to attend a class. There is always a possibility it could be cancelled due to disaster activity and we do not reimburse your travel expenses for a training class.

How do I sign up for a class?
Once we have an application on file, you can sign yourself up for a training class online. Click on the seats available link next to the class you are interested in attending and follow the directions to get signed up. You will be provided with the class location, date, times, and any other pertinent information. If you need to cancel your registration, please let us know so we may open the space up for someone who may be on a waiting list.

How do I know that I successfully registered for that class?
Once you successfully complete a registration for a class, you should get an automated email notification with the class location information. If you think you registered successfully and didn't receive a confirmation, make sure to email us at admin@parrinspections.com and provide us with your full name so we can verify that you are registered in that class.

The class I want to attend is full, what should I do?
We have waiting lists for our "full" classes. We do not have waiting lists for canceled classes, classes that are not yet posted on the website or classes that are not yet open for registration. Waiting lists do not carry over to new classes.

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for the class, contact PaRR by e-mail: admin@parrinspections.com . Provide us with your full name, and the location and date of the class you would like to attend. You will be placed on the waiting list and notified by e-mail if a space becomes available.

Does the Waiting list carry over to a next class?
No, you are only on the waiting list for that "full" class. On the day the class occurs, or if it is canceled, the waiting list for that class becomes inactive. However, you may be on a waiting list for a "full" class and still register for a new class if seats become available in that new class. Please check the website regularly for updated class schedules.

Can I just show up to the class if it is full?
We do not give out the class location information unless you are registered in the class. We maintain a waiting list to insure that everyone has a chance to attend. As soon as someone cancels from the class, we will add the person at the top of the waiting list into the class and then notify them by email.

I am already registered for a class and a new class has opened for registration that is closer, what should I do?
If you are already registered for a class and want to register for a class that still has seats available that is closer, please email us at admin@parrinspections.com and make sure to include your full name, the date and the class location that you are currently registered for, and date and location of the new class that you want to be registered for. Notifying us that you want to be switched into a class does NOT guarantee that you will be placed into that new class. If we are unable to process your request before the class fills then we will not be able to register you for that class. If that happens then you must request to be put on the waiting list for the class.

My class is canceled, what should I do?
A class can be canceled at any time, but usually it is a result of disaster activity. When a class becomes canceled, the website is updated, an email notification is sent to everyone that is registered in that class, as well as a call to notify those registered that the classes was canceled. You must check the website regularly for updated class schedules and register for a new class.

What happens after the class?
Upon successful completion of the class, subsequent online training is provided. This training is provided on the secured section of our web site. Your letter of completion and login information are distributed by mail approximately 2-3 weeks after the class. You are then added to our inspector database and you are eligible to be sent to a disaster if you are needed. If PaRR feels you are not a candidate for this type of work, or you need additional training, you will receive a letter to that effect.

Where do I find a schedule for Advanced classes?
The Advanced classes are refresher classes for our inspectors. You will not be issued a login id until you complete and pass our initial training class.

I'm having trouble downloading my training certificate, what should I do?
The Crystal Viewer, which allows you to view and print your certificate, downloads automatically on your computer when you click on the training certificate link. If you cannot view the certificate, then your computer is not allowing you to download and view ActiveX content and/or your pop-up blocker is enabled.

Be sure your computer's security settings allow you to download and play ActiveX content:
In Internet Explorer, your Security setting should be set to Medium. To change this, go to Tools/Internet Options/Security. Click on Default Level and set to Medium.
Or
Click on Custom Setting and make sure that "Download signed ActiveX controls" is set to prompt and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" is set to enable.

Ensure ALL pop-up blockers are disabled or make sure your blocker allows pop-ups for our website. The certificate will appear in a pop-up window.

Restart your computer and login to the website. You should now be prompted to download the Crystal Viewer when you click on the print training certificate link.

Do the online tutorials work with Microsoft Windows Vista as the operating system?
Currently the IPIX viewer is not compatible with Windows Vista, and works only under Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 and XP. If possible please use a computer running a different operating system if you are using Windows Vista. We will update the IPIX Viewer once it is available to us from IPIX.

When I click on the Online Tutorial link, I am brought back to the homepage. What am I doing wrong?
This means you have a Pop-up blocker on your computer. When you click on the Online Tutorial link, the tutorials will appear in a new window. If you Pop-up blocker is enabled you will not be able to view the tutorials. Disable your Pop-up blocker while you visit our site, or add our website address www.parrinspections.com to your Pop-up blocker "safe list". Hint: some Pop-up blockers allow you to hold the ctrl key down while clicking on a link to override the blocker for that link only.

The beginner tutorial works fine, but the picture of the house doesn't come up when I load the Intermediate or Advanced tutorials?
The Intermediate and Advanced tutorials use the IPIX plug in. If the picture of the house doesn't load, then your computer did not download the IPIX plug in directly from the tutorials page. Please click on the IPIX link below in the system requirements. Make sure to download and run the plug in.

My computer keeps timing me out, what should I do?
You have an unlimited amount of time to complete the Online Tutorials. However, they are connected to our servers. A timed out occurs because of a loss of connection to our server that is the effect of either
a) you are using wireless or some other unstable internet connection which causes you to loose connection to our server; or
b) you are inactive (you hadn’t clicked or moved your mouse) for 20 minutes an extended period of time 5 or so minutes. A timed out error will cause you to loose all information that you entered on the tutorial at that point. The error should resolve itself the next time you that you click on the tutorial link. However, if it doesn’t and you continue to get an error, even though you have resolved the above, then your computer saved that corrupt tutorial in its Temporary Internet Files that must be deleted.

What are the system requirements to run the Tutorials?
Your computer will need the plug-ins listed below, and Internet Explorer (IE) version 5.5 or higher. If you don't have these, you can click on the links below to download and install what you need. If you try to start the tutorial without these, your computer should prompt you to install them. (It may take up to 30 seconds for the plug-in download prompt to show up in your IE browser after the Select Tutorial button is clicked, but you can avoid that by downloading what you need from this page before proceeding.) You can usually run the tutorial using a slower computer; however, for best results your computer should meet these minimum specifications:

My computer meets the system requirements and I still can't run the tutorial. What else can I check?
Be sure your computer is setup to properly handle the PaRR tutorial. Check these settings:

Why is my Palm Pad screen blank?
Your system does not meet the minimum requirements (see the system requirements question above).

Why can't I toggle to the Palm Pad screen?
Your system does not meet the minimum requirements (see the system requirements question above).

How do I install the latest version of the Flash Player?
To install or reinstall the latest Flash Player you must first uninstall both the Shockwave and Flash players, then reinstall the Flash player designed for your browser. The un installer and installer programs can be run directly from the Macromedia website. Click the link next to each product to run the program, then follow the prompts. The programs should be run in this order for best results: 1) Shockwave uninstall, 2) Flash uninstall, then 3) Flash install.

If I was able to view the ACEII version of the Tutorial, why am I having problems with the ACEIII version?
You need to download the latest version of the Flash player. Refer to the previous question for more details.

Why can't I download the latest version of the Flash Player?
Be sure your security settings allow you to download and play ActiveX content. In Internet Explorer, your Security setting should be set to Medium. To change this, go to Tools/Internet Options/Security. Click Default Level and set to Medium.

Where can I find additional support for Shockwave/Flash players?
Visit the Macromedia Frequently Asked Questions page at: http://www.macromedia.com/support/shockwave/ts/documents/playerfaq.htm

Why does the tutorial take so long to start?
Please allow enough time for the tutorial to completely load before diving in. This allows all the rooms of the house to load at the beginning, thus providing a seamless transition while navigating through the damages.

How do I use iPIX?
For additional assistance with the iPIX plug-in, you may refer to the tutorial help file. A link to this help file is also available from inside the tutorial.

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