The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) urge Illinois residents affected by recent severe storms and flooding to be alert for potential fraud. As federal, state and local officials conduct preliminary damage assessments throughout the state, you can protect yourself by taking the following steps:  

  • Ask for ID. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it. A FEMA, IEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with the government. Federal and state employees carry official photo identification at all times.
  • Safeguard personal information. Do not give personal information such as social security and bank account numbers to individuals who visit your home claiming to be affiliated with the government. Federal, state and local assessment teams never require this information.
  • Under no circumstances are FEMA, IEMA or SBA representatives allowed to accept money. If someone claiming to be a federal or state employee attempts to collect money, report the person and their vehicle number to your local police department.

Those who suspect someone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, FEMA, 312-408-4455 and Patti Thompson, IEMA, 217-836-0742

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Beware of Post-Disaster Fraud

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California combat the Springs Fire in Ventura County.

The state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration today for the Springs Fire burning in Ventura County. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 300 homes and 3,000 apartments in and around Camarillo Springs, Dos Vientos, and California State University, Channel Islands, with a total area population of about 10,000. All of the threatened homes are primary residences. So far, the fire has burned in excess of 2,000 acres of state and private land.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made avail-able by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible costs covered by the grant can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Springs Fire In Ventura County

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Minnesota Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

May 3, 2013

Release Number:

HQ-13-040

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Minnesota.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by the state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Application procedures for the state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

May 3, 2013 – 16:29

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Minnesota Declaration

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California combat the Summit Fire in Riverside County.

On May 1, the state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Summit Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 450 homes in and around the city of Cherry Valley with a population of roughly 6,362. It was reported that the fire was also threatening transmission lines in the area and at one point burned in excess of 1,500 acres of state and private land.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible costs covered by the grant can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

 

 

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California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Summit Fire In Riverside County

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced a cooperative effort with Premiere Networks and private sector broadcasters that will provide an alternative method for radio stations to receive emergency information during a national emergency.

FEMA has added Premiere Networks — a nationally-syndicated audio network that reaches more than 190 million weekly listeners — as a Primary Entry Point station, which delivers information and instructions to the public in an emergency when there is no commercial power.  As part of the cooperative effort, Premiere, would use its satellite program receivers in thousands of affiliate radio stations across the country as another tool for delivering national Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages.  The radio affiliates would in turn broadcast the emergency messages to the public within its network.

“This cooperative effort between FEMA and Premiere Networks is one of the latest initiatives to engage the private sector’s cooperation in raising community preparedness across the nation,” said Damon Penn, Assistant Administrator of FEMA’s National Continuity Program. “We count on the broadcasting industry to alert and warn the public through the standard broadcast Emergency Alert System (EAS) including AM, FM, and satellite radio, as well as broadcast, cable and satellite TV, if a national emergency occurs,” said Penn.

FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System or IPAWS permits national emergency alert messages to be delivered simultaneously through multiple communications devices.  While a presidential EAS message has never been activated, IPAWS provides the President with a way to address the American people within 10 minutes of a national emergency.  Other alerting authorities include State, local, territorial, and Tribal public safety officials designated to communicate alerts. 

For more information on FEMA programs, go to www.fema.gov/ipaws

FEMA does not endorse any non-government entities, organizations, or services.  FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Original source: 

FEMA and Premiere Networks Work Together to Increase Preparedness

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that, in line with the request from the Governor of Texas, the emergency disaster declaration for the State of Texas, declared on April 19, 2013, has been expanded to allow individuals and households affected by the explosion in McLennan County, access to Individual Assistance grants. 

The President’s action makes housing and other assistance available to eligible individuals in McLennan County.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs; medical, dental, and funeral expenses; and personal property, transportation and other forms of assistance to help individuals recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Today’s announcement further supports the response efforts previously approved to assist with emergency work to protect lives and property, public health and safety. 

Individuals who sustained losses as a result of the explosion in McLennan County can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).  Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.  The social media links provided are for reference only. 

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.  FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Link: 

President Expands Emergency Declaration for Texas to Include Assistance to Individuals

TRENTON, N.J.–The remaining four New Jersey FEMA-State disaster recovery centers will transition Saturday, May 4 and reopen as Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Monday, May 6.

The DRCs transitioning are the Brick Township Civic Center in Brick, the Bell Crest Plaza Store Front 4C in Toms River, the Union Beach Municipal Building in Union Beach and the DRC adjacent to the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing.

State and federal officials have been paying close attention to how many applicants are visiting disaster recovery centers throughout the state. Over the past weeks, the number of individuals seeking help at the centers has dropped, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area have mostly been met. 

Survivors can locate the address of their nearest center by going to FEMA.gov/DRC or calling 800-621-3362.

SBA representatives at the DLOCs will provide homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations with face-to-face service in answering questions about SBA’s low-interest disaster loan programs, completing loan applications, checking the status of applications and closing on SBA loans.

The SBA outreach centers will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday.

Survivors are reminded that May 1, 2013 is the last day to register for federal disaster assistance with FEMA.

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362.

For more information about the SBA, call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday, at 1-800-659-2955. Survivors may apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants also may visit the SBA Web site at sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers To Transition To SBA Loan Outreach Centers Saturday

FEMA Corps Talks Disaster Preparedness with Mariners Fans

Main Content

Release date:

April 29, 2013

Release Number:

13-5

FEMA Corps team Gold 4 participated in the Seattle Mariners ‘Salute to Volunteers’ night Thursday, April 25th, 2013. The Gold 4 team talked to baseball fans about the importance of disaster preparedness. FEMA Corps members gave out information on how to create a disaster kit, start thinking about a disaster plan, and information on what to have on hand for pet owners in times of natural disaster.

“I am excited to help get the community prepared for natural disasters.”  Said Team member Chelsea Rayman. “Increasing awareness of natural disasters and ways to be prepared is one thing FEMA and FEMA Corps have been focusing on throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

The Mariners went on to win a 6-0 game, but FEMA Corps member Emily Brown says  “The real win is to reach out to community members and get them thinking about being prepared for a disaster.”

FEMA Corps is a new partnership with FEMA and AmeriCorps NCCC. Gold 4 is a team of ten ranging in age from 18 to 24.  They are currently working with FEMA Region X External Affairs Division in Lynnwood, Washington.

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Last Updated:

April 29, 2013 – 15:45

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FEMA Corps Talks Disaster Preparedness with Mariners Fans

Federal Aid Programs for Emergency Declaration for North Dakota

Main Content

Release date:

April 26, 2013

Release Number:

HQ-13-037Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s emergency declaration issued for North Dakota.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
  • Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by officials. Approved projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

 

Last Updated:

April 26, 2013 – 19:41

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Related Disaster:

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Federal Aid Programs for Emergency Declaration for North Dakota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of North Dakota to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from flooding beginning on April 22, 2013 and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Cass, Grand Forks, Pembina, Richland, Traill, and Walsh counties.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

Gary R. Stanley has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

Follow FEMA online at http://fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.  The social media links provided are for reference only. 

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.  FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

See original:

President Declares Emergency for North Dakota

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