Welcome to Volume 7 of The Sulzer Brief and our first edition of 2026.
This issue focuses on what is top of mind for communities across the country, beginning with Winter Storm Fern and the significant winter weather impacts already being felt nationwide. We also share timely funding and policy updates, along with highlights from our team’s attendance at the New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference, where important conversations are shaping the future of infrastructure and recovery across the state. Finally, this month’s Client Spotlight features the Archdiocese of New Orleans, one of our longest-standing partners, with a closer look at two significant projects within the Archdiocese: the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center, formerly known as the Ursuline Convent, and the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church.
Winter Storm Fern
This month’s newsletter opens with what is top of mind for much of the country: Winter Storm Fern
Flights have been canceled, store shelves have been emptied and roads have been treated in at least 34 states that will be impacted by Winter Storm Fern. Fern is a major winter storm that has already begun impacting parts of the United States and is expected to continue affecting large regions in the days ahead.
Forecasts indicate a dangerous combination of heavy snow, ice, freezing rain, extreme cold, and the potential for widespread power outages. Storms of this scale can disrupt operations quickly and create cascading challenges for communities, infrastructure, and essential services, particularly when impacts are not addressed early.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of this storm. We hope communities have had time to prepare and that families, organizations, and first responders remain safe as conditions continue to evolve.
FEMA Updates and State Coordination: What You Need to Know
FEMA shares safety guidance and urges people to prepare ahead of potential power outages, dangerous travel conditions and frigid temperatures.
On Thursday, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem provided updates on federal preparations ahead of the storm to the governors and state emergency directors in potentially affected areas. The following update is attributable to Secretary Noem:
• Sign up for state and local emergency alerts from your local public safety officials. Download the FEMA App to receive real-time weather and emergency alerts for up to five different areas nationwide, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, get preparedness strategies and more.
• Be prepared for a power outage. Power outages can impact communications, transportation, utilities and much more. If experiencing an outage, keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges. Keep generators at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages.
• Never use generators indoors or use a gas stove, kerosene or propane heater or oven to heat your home. Doing so can put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Prevent house heating fires by keeping anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, portable heaters or candles. Always plug space heaters directly into an outlet and make sure its cord isn’t
• If you need to travel by car, check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out. During a winter storm, follow guidance from local officials. If they ask you to stay off the roads, please do so. If you must drive, tell others your route and anticipated arrival time.
If your roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel until the roads are cleared. If you must drive, increase your following distance to other vehicles from 3-4 seconds to 5-6 seconds and watch for dangerous conditions on bridges and overpasses. It takes longer to slow down on frozen roads.
Make sure you have your auto insurance provider and a towing company number in a place that’s accessible.
• Have what you need to stay safe. Roads may be impassable for days. Make sure you have several days of water and non-perishable food for every member of your family and your pets. Have enough warm clothing and blankets for every member of your household.
If possible, get rock salt or pet-friendly products to melt walkways, sand or non-clumping kitty litter for traction, snow shovels and scrapers.
For more winter weather preparedness tips, visit Ready.gov
How the Sulzer Group Helps Clients During Winter Storms
Events like Winter Storm Fern underscore why preparedness is not optional, especially when it comes to large scale snow and ice events. At the Sulzer Group, winter storms are a core area of expertise, not an exception. Our team has extensive experience supporting organizations through severe winter weather that disrupts operations, damages facilities, strains infrastructure, and triggers complex recovery and funding challenges.
We work alongside clients well before a storm arrives, helping them plan for winter weather impacts, understand risk exposure, and put documentation and response strategies in place. During active storm response, we support coordination efforts, assist with real time decision making, and help organizations track impacts as they unfold. After the storm, we remain engaged through long term recovery, guiding clients through damage assessments, snow removal reimbursement, grant and insurance coordination, and federal disaster funding processes.
Our focus is always on minimizing disruption and helping communities recover efficiently and resiliently. From winter weather planning and emergency response coordination to damage documentation, snow related cost tracking, grant management, and recovery funding, the Sulzer Group brings steady, experienced support at every stage of a winter event. When conditions are challenging and timelines matter, our team is here when it matters most.
If your organization is already experiencing winter weather impacts or wants to ensure it is prepared for what lies ahead, we encourage you to reach out now. Early action can make a meaningful difference.
IS YOUR ORGANIZATION PREPARED?
For our clients, past winter storms serve as a reminder of the value of having experienced recovery support in place before conditions deteriorate. Being positioned ahead of a storm is always an advantage over scrambling in the aftermath.
Over the years, our team has processed and helped secure more than $2B in FEMA claims, guiding organizations through some of the most complex recovery efforts in the country. For organizations that do not yet have preparedness and recovery support in place, now is the time to call. We work with higher education institutions, school systems, hospital and healthcare networks, private nonprofit organizations, dioceses, government entities, and more to help document damage, secure funding, and navigate recovery from day one.
Funding and Policy News
At The Sulzer Group, we closely monitor federal funding and policy developments that impact disaster recovery, preparedness, and long-term resilience for the communities we serve.
This week, Congress released its FY26 funding package for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the inclusion of DHS is an important signal for applicants planning ahead. Advancing all FY26 appropriations reduces the likelihood of a year-long Continuing Resolution and provides greater funding certainty for FEMA, emergency management partners, and state and local organizations.
Key highlights include increased FEMA funding, continued support for the Disaster Relief Fund, protections for FEMA regional offices, and a strong emphasis on preparedness, resilience, transparency, and timely reimbursements.
Legislative progress like this helps communities move from uncertainty to action, advancing recovery while strengthening readiness for what comes next. At the Sulzer Group, our role is to help clients navigate this evolving landscape with clarity and confidence, from preparedness through response and recovery.
“On January 22, 2026, the The Associated Press reported that the U.S. House of Representatives passed key fiscal year 2026 spending bills, including Department of Homeland Security funding that supports FEMA, as Congress works to complete full appropriations before the January 30 deadline.”
Read more here: https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be
New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference
In other Sulzer Group news, our team has been in Santa Fe, NM over the past several days attending the New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference, and it was an incredibly informative and energizing experience.
We had the opportunity to hear directly from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, along with members of the legislative committee and other state leaders who are deeply invested in the future of New Mexico. These conversations matter and they shape how communities grow stronger, how infrastructure is protected, and how we collectively prepare for what comes next.
Equally important, it was wonderful to continue fostering long standing relationships while also making new connections along the way. Collaboration and trust are at the heart of the work we do.
The Sulzer Group has been, and will continue to be, deeply committed to helping strengthen New Mexico’s infrastructure and resiliency. We are proud to stand alongside counties and communities across the state, working hard for those who have experienced disasters and helping them recover, rebuild, and prepare for the future.
We are grateful to be part of these conversations and this community.
Client Spotlight: The Archdiocese of New Orleans
This month, we are honored to spotlight one of our longest-standing and most meaningful client relationships: the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
For decades, the Sulzer Group has worked side by side with the Archdiocese of New Orleans supporting its mission through some of the most complex disaster recovery efforts the region has faced. Our relationship is rooted in trust, continuity, and a shared commitment to preserving institutions that serve as spiritual, cultural, and community anchors for generations of families across South Louisiana.
“For decades, the Archdiocese of New Orleans has relied on the Sulzer Group as a trusted partner through multiple major disasters impacting our churches, schools, and facilities across the region. The scale of our organization and the complexity of disaster recovery require more than short-term assistance. They require steady guidance from professionals who understand the full process from grant management and compliance to construction oversight and long-term recovery planning.”
-Father Patrick, Vicar of Finance, Archdiocese of New Orleans
Nationally, the Sulzer Group represents more private nonprofit organizations and Catholic institutions in disaster recovery than any other firm in the country. We are deeply committed to strengthening the Catholic Church’s infrastructure and ensuring that places of worship, education, and service remain resilient, operational, and prepared for the future. Our work allows dioceses to focus on their mission while we navigate the complex recovery landscape on their behalf.
Our support for Catholic institutions includes securing FEMA and third-party funding, guiding dioceses through every phase of project and grant management, developing and managing insurance claims, and overseeing hazard mitigation and construction administration to rebuild facilities stronger and safer than before.
Within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, we are currently honored to be deeply involved in two particularly special and historic projects.
One is the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center, historically known as the Old Ursuline Convent. This site holds extraordinary cultural and historical significance, standing as a testament to the Ursuline Sisters and their enduring impact on education, faith, and service in New Orleans. Our work on this project includes major roof replacement and restoration efforts, as well as the careful renovation of its remarkable muraled ceilings. These efforts are focused on preserving the integrity, beauty, and legacy of this irreplaceable landmark while ensuring it is protected for generations to come.
We are also actively working on St. Augustine Catholic Church, founded in 1842 and recognized as one of the oldest Black Catholic parishes in the United States. St. Augustine holds profound historical and cultural importance and was among the first sites designated on Louisiana’s African American Heritage Trail. Our team is supporting extensive roof replacement and interior restoration efforts, including work on the church’s stunning muraled ceilings. This project represents not only physical recovery, but the preservation of a sacred space that has played a central role in faith, history, and community life for nearly two centuries.
These projects exemplify the heart of our work with Catholic institutions: protecting legacy, honoring history, and ensuring that vital community spaces remain standing, safe, and vibrant long into the future. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Archdiocese of New Orleans and grateful for the trust placed in our team.
Happy New Year and Mardi Gras!
We would like to take a moment to wish our clients, partners, and colleagues a very happy New Year, and, in New Orleans, we are also firmly in the heart of Carnival season. Wishing everyone a joyful Mardi Gras and Carnival filled with tradition, community, and a little much needed celebration.
Why the Sulzer Group?
We’re a full-service, women-owned disaster recovery firm with over $2B in managed recovery funds. Our clients include secular and non-secular private non-profit organizations, municipalities, schools, and healthcare systems across all 10 FEMA regions.
When disaster strikes, the Sulzer Group is your first step toward response and recovery. Our team specializes in preparedness planning- ensuring that when disaster strikes, you’re ready.
📄 Need help organizing your preparedness plan? Call us today at 866.767.9869 or visit www.sulzergroup.com
Careers at the Sulzer Group
We’re growing – and we’re hiring! If you’re a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, we want to hear from you. We’re always looking for talented and qualified people to join our team. Reach out to us anytime at: HR@sulzergroup.commlined, end-to-end support for the organizations we partner with. We look forward to sharing more in the new year as these initiatives take shape. In the meantime, we extend our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Please contact HR@sulzergroup.com