FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s Waldo and Weber Wildfires 

Release Date: June 24, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-014

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Waldo Fire in El Paso County and the Weber Fire in Montezuma County.

“Fighting wildfires can be very costly,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator Robin Finegan. “FEMA doesn’t actually fight the fires, but we can help firefighters and other first responders with the financial resources they need to do their job.”

At the time of the state’s request for the Waldo Fire, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around Manitou Springs, Cedar Creek, Carroll Canyon, Green Mountain Falls and Cascade, with a population of more 8,000. The fire was also threatening watershed, flood control structures, the United States Air Force Academy, utilities and communications equipment in the area.

At the time of the request for the Weber Fire, the fire was threatening 105 homes in and around Elk Stream Ranch, Cherry Creek and Mancos. The fire is also threatening buildings, communication towers, utilities, equipment and an area watershed.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

On June 6, FEMA approved a FMAG for the High Park Fire in Larimer County.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

“We continue to urge residents to heed the advice of local officials and have an emergency plan in the place,” Finegan added.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Last Modified: Monday, 25-Jun-2012 08:02:27

Continue reading: 

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s Waldo and Weber Wildfires

Louisiana Superdome Receives FEMA Grant for Remaining Recovery Work 

Release Date: June 20, 2012
Release Number: 1603-979

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced nearly $1 million in additional recovery aid to the Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control for remaining, Katrina-related repairs at the Louisiana Superdome.

“Our recent grant is part of FEMA’s continued effort to support Louisiana’s full recovery from Hurricane Katrina,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “The funding reimburses completed ticket booth repairs at the Superdome as well as provides for parking garage #6 repairs, which are scheduled to take place this year.”

Home to the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints, the Louisiana Superdome-now officially named the Mercedes-Benz Superdome-is a sports arena located in downtown New Orleans. Generally referred to as the largest fixed domed structure in the world, the Superdome also gained international attention in 2005 when it was used as a “shelter of last resort” for those in New Orleans unable to evacuate from Hurricane Katrina.

The force of Hurricane Katrina’s 150 mph winds destroyed the outer membrane of the Superdome, leaving it exposed to serious damages by rain and debris. As a result, FEMA has provided approximately $42.8 million overall, including the agency’s recent grant. Recovery efforts at the arena include debris removal operations; the replacement of the dome’s exterior skin, seating, synthetic turf and fixtures; and repairs to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $11.5 billion in public assistance funding for Katrina and Rita related recovery work throughout Louisiana.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 20-Jun-2012 13:22:27

Visit source:

Louisiana Superdome Receives FEMA Grant for Remaining Recovery Work

Million-Dollar Federal Grant Awarded To Lykens Borough 

Release Date: June 20, 2012
Release Number: 4025-144

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal grant of more than $1.02 million to stabilize Battling Creek was recently announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

During Tropical Storm Lee, Lykens Borough in Dauphin County suffered severe damage to its gabion basket channel containment walls on both sides of Rattling Creek.  Gabion basket walls are designed to provide bank stabilization and erosion control for the protection of improved property.  The damaged gabion walls will be replaced with a more durable pre-engineered segmented wall utilizing blocks to help protect the embankments and improved property.

The grant represents a 75 percent federal share of the project cost, which totals $1,368,012.  The remaining 25 percent will be paid by the Commonwealth. 

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, funding is provided to the Commonwealth, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

FEMA manages the program, approves grants, and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and managing each project funded under the program.

More information on FEMA’s PA program is available at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

To date, more than $90 million has been obligated to the Commonwealth by FEMA under the federal PA program.  There are an estimated 1,700 applicants, with assistance expected to top $200 million.

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.                                               

Last Modified: Wednesday, 20-Jun-2012 10:29:17

View original article:  

Million-Dollar Federal Grant Awarded To Lykens Borough

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in San Juan County, New Mexico 

Release Date: June 19, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-111

DENTON, Texas – To help fight the Blanco Fire in San Juan County, New Mexico, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a request from the state of New Mexico for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG).

“We support the efforts to combat this fire threat,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson. “We know that this declaration will help state and local officials protect lives and property.”

Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

An authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state and local government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and is made available by FEMA to reimburse local fire fighting efforts for fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Jun-2012 13:59:03

View this article:  

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in San Juan County, New Mexico

From:  

President Declares Major Disaster For New Hampshire

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico 

Release Date: June 13, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-108

DENTON, Texas – In order to help fight the Little Bear Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a request from the state of New Mexico for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG).

“We support our local and state officials in their efforts to combat this fire threat and keep people and property safe from harm,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Regional Administrator Tony Robinson.

Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

An authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state and local government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to reimburse local fire fighting efforts for fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Jun-2012 11:00:44

Source:

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico

FDNY and National Guard to Receive FEMA Funding 

Release Date: June 13, 2012
Release Number: 4031-108

» More Information on New York Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on New York Hurricane Irene

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced over $4.6 million in additional Federal grant funding to the State of New York for expenses associated with the State’s recovery from Hurricane Irene. This recent funding was granted to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and New York State National Guard.

FEMA approved $2,353,702 for costs incurred by the FDNY during its response to Irene. FEMA also approved $2,249,804 for costs incurred by the National Guard during its response to Irene. This Federal funding represents 75 percent of the total cost of the projects.

“FEMA is pleased to approve these important projects in support of New York State’s recovery from Hurricane Irene,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr.

In the wake of Irene, the FDNY took emergency protective measures to ensure public safety, including responding to emergency callouts, re-routing traffic, barricading due to downed trees and power lines and assisting other New York City agencies with opening roadways for emergency response. FDNY also incurred expenses for sandbagging, sump pumps to combat flooding, electrical parts for generators and actively engaging in pre-storm assistance for evacuations. During the storm, the FDNY responded to all hurricane-related emergencies via both Fire and EMS personnel. This project captures the eligible costs for overtime labor, equipment and materials for emergency protective measures performed for Kings County.

FEMA also approved an application by the New York State National Guard for reimbursement for overtime, meals, rented equipment, fuel, water supplies and meals for rescued persons during the Guard’s response to Irene. The project’s cost totaled $2,999,739, and FEMA recently approved $2,249,804 in reimbursement to the Guard for the extraordinary costs they incurred during its response to Irene.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Jun-2012 09:33:53

Excerpt from: 

FDNY and National Guard to Receive FEMA Funding

FEMA Supports Legislative Change to Allow Tribal Governments to Directly Apply for Federal Disaster Aid 

Release Date: June 12, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-042

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate released a letter of support for specific legislation in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would allow federally recognized tribal governments to make a request for a federal emergency or disaster declaration directly to the President. In December last year, FEMA announced its support to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow tribes to make a request directly to the President for declarations. Currently, only states and their governors can make such requests.

“Our country’s tribal nations and leaders are an integral part of our national fabric,” said Fugate. “FEMA is committed to supporting Indian Country in its efforts to build resilient communities that are prepared for all hazards.”

Currently, the law states that only the governor of an affected state can request a major disaster or emergency declaration from the President under the Stafford Act. Federally recognized tribes are excluded from making such a direct request for a Presidential declaration and must make a request through the state or states in which they are geographically located.

This process, however, limits FEMA from effectively working with federally recognized tribes on a government-to-government basis. To improve the way we serve and engage the entire community in emergency management, FEMA and the Obama Administration support a legislative change to the Stafford Act that would authorize tribal governments to make requests directly to the President for a federal emergency or disaster declaration. Additionally, FEMA supports a legislative change that would also give tribal governments the option to receive assistance as they do presently, as part of a declaration for a specific state.

Legislative proposals to change the Stafford Act in favor of this amendment have been introduced in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. If passed, such an amendment would acknowledge the right of federally recognized tribes to ask for direct assistance in a major disaster scenario, enhance FEMA’s working relationship with tribal governments, and improve emergency and disaster responsiveness throughout Indian Country.

FEMA affirms its commitment and is actively working with Indian Country and our Congressional partners to support and facilitate the passage of such a change in the law. FEMA Administrator Fugate has conducted listening sessions and has committed to reviewing all existing Agency policies and programs to ensure tribal concerns are addressed. This support for an amendment to the Stafford Act, allowing for direct tribal government emergency and major disaster declaration requests, is a result of the President’s focus on working more closely with tribes on disaster relief.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-Jun-2012 13:26:24

See original article – 

FEMA Supports Legislative Change to Allow Tribal Governments to Directly Apply for Federal Disaster Aid

Fact Sheet: Federal Agency Assistance to the Souris Valley 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-AFS003

» More Information on North Dakota Flooding

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

FEDERAL AGENCY ASSISTANCE OVERVIEW

Immediately following the June 2011 flooding in the Souris River Basin, federal agencies, under mission assignments from FEMA, responded to public health and safety needs throughout Ward County. Federal life-saving and life-sustaining personnel worked under the direction, and at the request of, state and local leadership. Below is a summary of the federal actions funded by FEMA and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services to ensure communities and people in the area were protected from further harm and could begin their recovery.

In all, FEMA directed 28 federal response assignments at a cost of more than $60 million dollars to FEMA and almost $7 million to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program paid out on 488 claims for a total of $59,331,403.36 in McHenry, Reville and Ward counties.

Department of Health and Human Services

Members of Applied Public Health Teams from the Department of Health and Human Services integrated with local fire department, local health agencies, and structural engineers/building inspectors to assist with public health consultations and inspection of homes for reoccupation.

The teams visited approximately 4,600 homes damaged by the flood, meeting with residents as they returned home and providing environmental health consultations and technical assistance. They distributed post-flood information packets from the North Dakota Department of Health, and gave information on general clean-up activities, pumping out flooded basements, mold issues, household hazardous waste disposal, disinfection, asbestos, the safe use of electrical generators and personal health precautions. They also went door-to-door with structural engineers and building inspectors to assess health concerns such as contamination from wastewater, extent of mold coverage, asbestos, and other hazardous material risks. This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $100,000, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA was given four missions by FEMA: remove household hazardous wastes from the impacted area; decontaminate and prepare white goods and electronic waste for recycling; collect and process orphaned containers; and conduct environmental monitoring and sampling in impacted and work areas.

In total, EPA removed:

  • Nearly 6,000 units of white goods – air conditioners, refrigerators, and other household appliances. Freon, mercury, and other hazardous materials were removed by EPA and the scrap was turned over to the city of Minot for recycling.
  • More than 90,000 small containers, including paint, household cleaners, and small gas cans holding more than 15,000 gallons of gas which was sent to a fuel processor.
  • Several large containers, including propane tanks as large as 3,000 – 5,000 gallons, which were returned to their owners or sent to a Minot company for reuse.
  • 215 lead-acid batteries which were turned over to the city of Minot.
  • More than 550 cubic yards of electronic waste such as household electronics, computers, and television sets which were sent to a contractor for recycling.

In addition, EPA collected asbestos insulation from more than 220 households, conducted air sampling during cleanup activities, and conducted soil sampling in city parks once flooding subsided. This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $5.2 million, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

General Services Administration

GSA was given the mission to search for space, facilities and land to support FEMA. GSA also provided approximately 20 GSA fleet vehicles in support of the mission.

Its real estate team arranged the following leases:

  • The Joint Field Office in Bismarck.
  • The Area Field Office in Minot located at the State Fairgrounds.
  • Two land leases at the State Fairgrounds in Minot for FEMA trailer staging.
  • A land lease in Minot for a FEMA trailer park supporting flooding victims (still in operation).
  • A temporary space lease at the State Fairgrounds (while FEMA was preparing its Area Field Office for occupancy).
  • A space lease at the former “Y” building in downtown Minot for Housing Management Office Recovery (still in operation).
  • A space lease at the Medical Building in Minot for ESF-14 operations (lease ends July 15, 2012).
  • A space lease for a Disaster Recovery Center at the Dakota Mall in Minot.

There were many other spaces, buildings and lands that were donated by owners such as the city of Minot or the state of North Dakota which were used for the FEMA mission, including land for the base camp in Minot and land in Velva for other FEMA operations. FEMA paid GSA $84,000 for its services.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • OSHA evaluated and ensured the safety of response personnel and civilians by providing air sampling and site inspections, and giving seminars on hazard awareness.
  • OSHA also helped the Vermiculite Asbestos Work Group develop public service announcements (vermiculite is a common insulation which often is contaminated with asbestos) and inspected the responders base camp.
  • This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $94,000, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

Public Safety and Security

Approximately 135 federal law enforcement officers from four different agencies were deployed to support local police and sheriff’s departments. They protected lives and property in the evacuated areas, maintained points of entry/exit in neighborhoods, did traffic control, patrolled and did other law enforcement duties as assigned. Safety officers came from the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Interior, and were coordinated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. One officer from Customs and Border Patrol was injured responding to a law enforcement request and remains in physical therapy. Local guards were hired by Federal Protective Services to provide security at FEMA facilities. This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $3.6 million, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  • The Corps, at the request of the city of Minot, began funding and building temporary levees in the area on their own authority in April. They continued doing so with 16 levee contracts while the river crested multiple times through June. The temporary leveeconstruction cost the Corps approximately $5 million for Minot alone, another $1 million for Sawyer, $600,000 for Burlington and $500,000 for Velva. The final crest, which overwhelmed the protection system, was almost three times the amount of water of the next highest crest.
  • Emphasis was put on the city’s priorities:
    • protecting the water treatment plant
    • protecting three schools
    • protecting 17 lift/pump stations
    • protecting, maintaining and raising the 3rd St. /4th Ave. levee
    • keeping the Broadway Bridge open
  • Current estimates are that ongoing repairs to the permanent levees and the pump stations, plus the scour at Velva, will cost more than $5 million, again funded by the Corps of Engineers.
  • After the floods, the Corps and its contractors were given the debris removal mission by FEMA. They removed more than 61,000 tons of debris within Ward County, including 54,000 tons from Minot. This included removing the temporary levees. This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $17 million, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.
  • The Corps designed and built the infrastructure at community group sites, totaling 848 pads at three primary locations. This mission was assigned by FEMA and cost $40 million, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.
  • More than 150 Corps of Engineers personnel were deployed for flood fighting and flood recovery operations.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Fish and Wildlife Service did airboat missions and patrols on both the Red River and the Minot area. They were assigned that mission by FEMA, at a total cost of $100,000, with 10 percent paid by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:02:14

Link: 

Fact Sheet: Federal Agency Assistance to the Souris Valley

Area Residents Helping FEMA Support Souris Valley 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-ANF001

» More Information on North Dakota Flooding

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

“Helping people.”

That’s the answer Tamra “Tammy” Kloehn gave when asked what she liked most about her job with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Minot. Tammy knows what it is like to need assistance after a disaster, because her household was affected by last year’s flood and was an applicant for FEMA disaster assistance.

When the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrives to render aid following a declared disaster, survivors are often curious about the people who represent the agency. While it is usually true that the initial group of workers who arrive on the scene come from across the country, those impacted by disasters may be surprised to learn that many new FEMA employees are their family, friends and fellow disaster survivors. In “FEMA-speak” these folks are known as local hires.

Local hires are employees drawn from the local, disaster-affected area. Their willingness to train and work as FEMA employees, along with the wealth of local knowledge they bring, make them an integral part of helping communities recover.

Tammy has lived in Minot all of her life, working in various fields such as restaurant management, assisted living care and accounting. When she saw a job posting for FEMA last December and read the description, she applied, “It sounded interesting and it was working with people.”

As a Recertification Advisor, Tammy visits individuals and families living in FEMA housing units throughout Minot to work with them on their housing plan and help them return to a more permanent living arrangement. She provides those who were previously renting with lists of available rentals and offers assistance to homeowners that are repairing their damaged dwellings.

Christopher Geck was also born in Minot, but has lived the past 22 years in Mandan. In 2009 he was working as a security officer in the FEMA Bismarck Joint Field Office that was set up to help in recovery from the Red River flooding that year. Chris applied for a reservist position that was open in the Finance and Admin section and was hired as a Human Resources Specialist.

Reservists are FEMA employees who travel the country assisting in recovery efforts of all 50 states following disaster declarations. Chris finds it especially satisfying to be assigned to work in the city he was born in 28 years ago and where his own family was affected by the flood last year. He now serves as the HR supervisor in the Minot FEMA Housing Management Office, handling deployments of fellow employees who arrive from other parts of the country to assist in flood recovery, overseeing payroll and interviewing and processing new local hires.

When you look into the eyes of Laura Grueneberg, you can see the care and concern she carries for disaster survivors. In her position as a Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) that is appropriate, but even more so knowing her own home was substantially damaged during the flood in Minot last year. Living with her husband and 4 children in a hotel room for almost 4 months and then in a FEMA housing unit for another 5 months, Laura knows intimately what many disaster survivors are living through today.

“A way to make a difference in the lives of people” is what prompted Laura to apply for the position she saw posted online in November. As a VAL, Laura is FEMA’s link to local volunteer organizations. She also works hand-in-hand with FEMA Recertification Advisors to help applicants who have needs that cannot be met by FEMA programs, but that voluntary agencies may be able to assist.

“I am grateful for the opportunity FEMA has given me. Working in a field where I am able to help others is incredibly rewarding and working outside of the home has helped my family get back on our feet.”

FEMA is also grateful for the area residents serving in its ranks who have helped the Souris Valley in the disaster recovery.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:00:22

Originally from:  

Area Residents Helping FEMA Support Souris Valley

 Page 100 of 105  « First  ... « 98  99  100  101  102 » ...  Last »