News - femacontract.com

FEMA Awards First of Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program Grants

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today it is awarding nearly $4 million to two local governments to help pay for costs associated with implementing the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program.

STEP funds emergency residential essential and necessary repairs such as restoration of temporary electricity, heat and hot water so that survivors can remain in their homes while permanent repair work continues.

The FEMA Public Assistance program is providing at least 75 percent of the eligible expenses for STEP; the remaining 25 percent will be provided by non-federal funds. FEMA has awarded $2.8 million to Nassau County and $1.1 million to Suffolk County.

“FEMA’s first priority is getting New Yorkers home,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “We understand that survivors are hard at work repairing and rebuilding houses. STEP is an emergency program that will enable them to move out of hotels and shelters and safely return to their homes during renovation.”

Under the program, residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties will be able to have the damage to their residences assessed and, where safe and practicable, have electricity restored and other basic repairs made so they can move back into their homes. This may include making temporary repairs to ramps and other related elements needed to make the homes accessible for residents with disabilities and others with physical accommodation requirements.

The STEP program was initiated after Hurricane Sandy to allow New Yorkers who do not have power to shelter-in-place in their homes while permanent repairs are completed. The STEP program is ongoing; these are the first funds awarded through this pilot program. FEMA officials expect that funds to reimburse local governments for STEP will increase in the coming weeks.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Originally posted here:

FEMA Awards First of Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program Grants

Changed Your Mind About Staying In Your Storm Damaged Home? Tell FEMA Now

TRENTON, N.J. – Nearly six weeks after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, survivors have a chance to reconsider a decision they made in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Thousands of New Jersey survivors answered “will not relocate” when FEMA housing inspectors asked what they planned to do while repairs are being made on their homes or apartments. That response made them ineligible for FEMA temporary housing assistance.

Some who would like FEMA help today may find the window still open.

Here’s what to do:

If it has been less than 30 days since you received a FEMA determination letter, call 800-621-3362 and tell FEMA that your housing situation has changed and that you’d like temporary housing assistance.
However, if it has been more than 30 days since you received a FEMA determination letter, you will need to reply in a letter to FEMA stating that you want to change your earlier response, explain how your circumstances have changed and that you’d like FEMA temporary housing assistance.

Survivors can follow up on previous applications online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Help is also available at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, which can be found at www.fema.gov/DRCloc.

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.

Visit link:

Changed Your Mind About Staying In Your Storm Damaged Home? Tell FEMA Now

December 31 Deadline For SBA Disaster Business Physical Loss Loans

TRENTON, N.J. — Time is running out for business owners with property damage due to Hurricane Sandy to apply for Business Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline to apply for loans covering physical losses is December 31, 2012.

Business Physical Disaster Loans are made to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business. This includes real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible, as are private non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc.

The SBA also administers the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Economic injury disaster loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid if the disaster had not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Federal law limits business loans to $2 million for the combined physical and economic injury, mitigation and refinancing.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

SBA customer service representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state and at the following ten Business Disaster Recovery Centers (BRCs):

Richard Stockton College, 35 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Bergen Community College, 355 Main St., Room 121, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, 13 Crest Haven Rd. Cape May, NJ 08210
Rutgers University, 25 James Street, Newark, NJ 07102
N.J. City University, 285 West Side Avenue, Suites 189-191, Jersey City, NJ 07305
John F. Kennedy Library, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738
So. Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, West Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050
William Paterson University, 131 Ellison St., Paterson, NJ 07505
Kean University, Business One-Stop-Service, The Incubator, 320 Park Ave. Plainfield, NJ 07060

These locations may change. Disaster Recovery Center locations can be found online at fema.gov/DRC.

Registration with FEMA is not mandatory to apply for an SBA Business Disaster Loan, but it is preferred. For additional information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2855 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov.

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.

Original source –

December 31 Deadline For SBA Disaster Business Physical Loss Loans

FEMA Awards More Than $3.4 Million for Community Safe Rooms in Kleberg County, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $3.4 million to the state of Texas for the construction of two community safe rooms in the city of Kingsville in Kleberg County, Texas.

The concrete dome shaped safe rooms will serve as multi-purpose training centers; one will be 20,000 square feet in size and the other will be 18,000 square feet in size. Both will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Kleberg County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as special medical needs.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the more than $4.5 million total costs for the projects, which are being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The federal shares of the funds for the projects come from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP provides grants to states, and tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures that reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

Link:

FEMA Awards More Than $3.4 Million for Community Safe Rooms in Kleberg County, Texas

FEMA Awards More Than $2.4 Million for Community Safe Room in Brownsville, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2.47 million to the state of Texas for construction of a community safe room in the city of Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the $3.3 million total cost for the project, which is being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The concrete dome shaped safe room will serve as multi-purpose community center. It will be 25,000 square feet in size and will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Cameron County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as medical special needs.

The federal share of the funds for the project come from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP provides grants to states, and tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures that reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

Original article:

FEMA Awards More Than $2.4 Million for Community Safe Room in Brownsville, Texas

FEMA Awards $1.8 Million for Community Safe Room in Bay City, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1.8 million to the state of Texas for construction of a community safe room in the city of Bay City in Matagorda County, Texas.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the $2.4 million total cost for the project, which is being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The concrete dome shaped safe room will be 20,000 square feet in size and will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Matagorda County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as medical special needs. It will also serve as a wellness center/physical rehabilitation facility for the Matagorda County Hospital District.

Read this article:

FEMA Awards $1.8 Million for Community Safe Room in Bay City, Texas

Changes Announced for two New York Disaster Recovery Centers

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors have until 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, to visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Meadowmere Park in Nassau County.

The center is at 14 Meyer Ave., Lawrence, NY 11559. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. Traffic at the Meadowmere Park site indicates the information needs of storm survivors in that area have been largely met.

Seven more Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Nassau County to provide one-on-one, face-to-face help to people affected by Hurricane Sandy.

In another just-announced change, one of six Disaster Recovery Centers in Brooklyn has shifted its location to better serve the public. Its new site is the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2882 Gerritsen Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. It previously was located across the street.

Other Brooklyn recovery centers are located at:

Holy Family R.C. Church
9719 Flatlands Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Coffey Park
85 Richards St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Social Security Building
Gravesend
10 Bouck Court
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Jewish Community Center
YM-YWHA
3300 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun

MCU parking lot
1904 Surf Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Sites and hours of operation for other Nassau County recovery centers are:

Recreation and Ice Arena
700 Magnolia Blvd.
Long Beach, NY 11561
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Sacred Heart Parish
RR station parking lot
127 Long Beach Rd.
Island Park, NY 11558
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Mitchell Field Athletic Center
1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd.
Uniondale, NY 11553
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Cedar Creek Park
Merrick Rd. East
Seaford, NY 11783
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Young Israel
Gymnasium
859 Peninsula Blvd.
Woodmere, NY 11598
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun-Thurs
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri
Closed Sat

Freeport Recreation Center
130 E. Merrick Rd.
Freeport, NY 11520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

In all, 26 Disaster Recovery Centers are now operating throughout New York, serving as one-stop shops for hurricane survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can register for help online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Continued here:

Changes Announced for two New York Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA Application Deadline Extended

NEW YORK – The deadline for Hurricane Sandy survivors in 13 designated New York counties to register for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance has been extended to January 28, 2013.

The extension agreed upon by the state and FEMA is for survivors living in disaster-designated individual assistance counties: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

FEMA Application Deadline Extended

Loans are Key to Disaster Recovery for Many Rhode Islanders

WARWICK, R.I.— In-person help is available in Westerly to help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes that were affected by Hurricane Sandy with applications for low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA disaster recovery loans are the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery.

SBA officials urge Rhode Islanders who have questions about SBA loans or would like help completing an application to visit the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly. Hours of operation are weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Wednesday, December 19. SBA specialists will assist with preparation and can send the application overnight free of charge to the SBA’s national processing center.

While grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are helping individuals and families in the Ocean State with immediate recovery needs, they are rarely large enough to restore survivors to their pre-disaster condition. After a disaster, loans from the SBA are not just for businesses. Loans up to $200,000 are available to qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, up to $40,000 may be available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged personal property.

Many individuals and households who registered for disaster assistance from FEMA will be mailed an application for an SBA disaster recovery loan. If the SBA finds an individual does not qualify for a loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA to be considered for additional assistance from FEMA. No one is ever required to accept a loan. But failure to complete and submit the SBA application can deprive the family of the opportunity to access more aid from FEMA.

Businesses, regardless of size, can apply to SBA for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also offers small business owners and most private nonprofit organizations economic injury disaster loans for ongoing business expenses to recover from the economic impact of a disaster. The SBA can make economic injury disaster loans even if the business didn’t sustain physical damages.

Businesses are urged to visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, One Chamber Way, Westerly. Hours of operation are weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., through Wednesday, December 19.

View the original here:

Loans are Key to Disaster Recovery for Many Rhode Islanders

FEMA Hiring Locally to Help in Disaster Recovery

WARWICK, R.I. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hiring a number of Rhode Islanders to assist in the state’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

“It is FEMA policy, and the agency makes it a priority, to employ local residents,” explained FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “It gives us an opportunity to tap into the skills and experience of people who live right here in the Ocean State. Moreover, a paycheck makes it into the hands of some local, unemployed workers on a temporary basis.”

FEMA is currently seeking up to 15 local employees, which will comprise 10 percent of the FEMA workforce, at its Joint Field Office in Warwick. Civil engineering, administrative management, accounting, and charting and mapping are but a few of the skill sets being sought.

This is the second time in recent years FEMA has recruited locally in Rhode Island. Many individuals were hired in 2010 when the agency helped the state recover from spring storms and flooding at that time.

Individuals interested in applying should register online at www.EmployRI.org. The initiative is supported by EmployRI and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

View the original here:

FEMA Hiring Locally to Help in Disaster Recovery

Page 298 of 386 « First ... « 296 297 298 299 300 » ... Last »