FEMA Extends Incident Period for Massachusetts Counties’ Bombing Expenses

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a request from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to extend by four days the incident period for which agencies may claim federal reimbursement for part of their Marathon bombing response expenses.

In April President Obama authorized FEMA to reimburse government and some private non-profit entities in Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties for part of their bombing related expenses incurred from April 15 to 22, 2013. That period has now been extended to end on April 26.

“Many agencies continued to incur emergency response expenses for a number of days after the April 15 bombing,” said Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. “FEMA’s extension of the incident period is a welcome support for our police departments, hospitals and other agencies that kept Boston strong during a challenging time.”

FEMA has received requests for assistance with bombing expenses from 51 different applicants, including police and fire departments, hospitals and universities.

“FEMA will continue working with applicants to assure that all receive the maximum federal assistance we can provide,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses 75 percent of applicants’ eligible costs.

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.