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

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

FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Colorado’s High Park Fire

FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Colorado’s High Park Fire 

Release Date: June 9, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-010B

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER – 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 High Park Fire located in Larimer County.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 7:19 p.m on June 9, 2012. The fire has burned in excess of 4,000 acres of federal and state/private lands.

At the time of the request the fire was threatening 150 homes in and around Fort Collins, population 299,630. The fire is also threatening campgrounds in the area, the Stove Canyon and Poudre Canyon watersheds and an unknown amount of other infrastructure.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

FMAGs 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.

These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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, 11-Jun-2012 18:51:19

More – 

FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Colorado’s High Park Fire

Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley

Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-AFS002

» More Information on North Dakota Flooding

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

Individual Assistance Programs

  • Residents of nine North Dakota counties and one reservation were able to register for individual assistance with FEMA;
  • Statewide 10,286 individuals or households registered for assistance in the IA designated counties;
  • In total, more than $95 million has been provided; $93.4 million for rental assistance or home repair, and $2.1 million in other needs assistance;
    • In the three Souris Valley counties (McHenry, Renville and Ward), there were 8,256 applications, with $89 million for rental assistance or home repair and $2 million for other needs assistance for a total of $91 million;
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved $256.4 million in low-interest loans. $212.9 million was approved for individuals and $43.5 million for businesses;
    • In the Souris Valley, SBA approved $240.9 million in low-interest loans. $198.1 million was approved for individuals and $42.8 million for businesses;
  • Disaster Recovery Centers were in 11 communities and received 14,921 separate visits from applicants while in operation
    • DRCs were located in six Souris Valley area communities and received 12,477 visits;
  • SBA Business Recovery Centers in Minot and Bismarck received a total of 2,929 visits;
  • The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, managed by Job Service North Dakota and funded by FEMA, provided $2.4 million in benefits.
  • $3.3 million was provided to fund crisis counseling grants ;
  • The transitional sheltering assistance program ended 12/26/2011 at a total cost of $3,196,962.94. This program allowed displaced residents to stay in hotel rooms until more permanent housing became available.

Direct Housing Mission

  • Due to housing shortages because of the economic boom, a direct housing mission was initiated:
    • Group housing site construction totaling $40 million is ongoing by USACE.
    • More than 2000 Temporary Housing Units (THUs) delivered and installed.
  • There are currently 1,471 occupied THUs.
    • DeSour Valley Heights – located in Burlington, this 50-unit site was filled in October. The park is currently housing 44 households.
    • Virgil Workman Village – located just east of Minot, this is comprised of three parks containing 200 homes each. It is currently housing a combined total of 532 households.
    • Recovery Village – located on the northeast edge of Minot, this was the final group site to come online. The site did support nearly 200 homes and is currently housing 47 households.
    • Private Sites – FEMA placed housing units at 1,118 private sites allowing residents to be closer to their damaged homes while making needed repairs. There are currently 635 THU’s still on private sites.
    • Commercial Sites – FEMA leased space and is currently housing 213 households at the following commercial sites: Holiday Village, Gulli’s, Burlington, Jefferson and Gold Nugget.
  • Multiple weather/climate challenges were overcome by completing $13 million in winterization processes, such as: foam insulation, use of heat tape and arctic room shelter construction.
  • The housing mission in Minot is expected to last at least 18 months.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:02:01

Credit:

Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley

Public Assistance Funds Helped Get Minot Students Back to School

Public Assistance Funds Helped Get Minot Students Back to School 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-ANF003

» More Information on North Dakota Flooding

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

Minot students benefitted from impressive teamwork when several groups collaborated to get them back in the classroom for the 2011-12 school year. FEMA, the Minot Public School District, contractor Kraus-Anderson and Innovative Modular Solutions worked together so that the school year started just a few days later than normal. FEMA’s Public Assistance program, managed by the state, will also provide funding to repair or replace numerous school district facilities, as well as temporary quarters for unusable locations. FEMA has already obligated nearly $50 million to the Minot Public Schools, ensuring a bright future for students in the community.

A special task force was assembled to assess the needs of all flood-impacted schools and to quickly determine the level of damage and what types of repairs would be needed. The team methodically looked at each school, developing estimates for building repairs and replacement of lost equipment.

For two Minot schools – Ramstad Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School – FEMA determined that replacement would be more cost-effective than the extensive repairs that would be needed. Other facilities will be repaired to pre-disaster condition in compliance with local building codes. The agency will pay 90 percent of the cost of all eligible projects under the Public Assistance program. The state will fund 7 percent and the school district the remaining 3 percent.

While getting damaged facilities back on line was the long-term goal, there was also the immediate challenge of finding students a home for the rapidly approaching start of classes. More than 1,200 students suddenly found themselves without schools following the flood. An estimated one-fourth of the district’s staff and students were forced to evacuate in the wake of the disaster. But the timing of the deluge – during the early part of summer vacation – gave authorities plenty of time to respond before the scheduled start of fall classes. Some schools used modular classrooms to replace flood-damaged classrooms, some relocated to nearby temporary facilities, and others were cleaned and repaired.

The most challenging aspect of getting physical facilities ready for the new school year was transporting the modular classrooms to Minot and assembling them on temporary sites. Innovative Modular Solutions of Bolingbrook, Ill., supplied 60,000 square feet of educational space comprising 10 modular units with 64 total classrooms.

Each modular classroom can hold up to 30 students. The two-, six- and eight-classroom buildings vary in size from 28 feet wide by 70 feet long to 68 feet wide by 126 feet long. The 10-classroom buildings are 72 feet wide by 154 feet long and also contain office space.

The modular classrooms are surprisingly roomy, and contain everything one would expect in a modern educational environment including smart boards, ceiling-mounted projectors and ample lighting. Each modular unit also has drinking fountains and restrooms. Prior to winter’s arrival, the modules were also outfitted with heating and insulation, as well as heat tape for the water pipes.

Students and teachers made the best of their new quarters. Ramstad Middle School dubbed their move to the municipal auditorium “Ramstad @ the AUD” and printed up bright red T-shirts with that phrase, a way for students to embrace (and many years from now recall) what will surely go down as one of the more memorable events of their school days. Students also painted murals in the walkways connecting the auditorium to the temporary classrooms behind it. A final highlight of the school year was the benefit concert by classic rock band Kansas in support of the school’s music program.

The temporary school buildings are eligible for funding under the Public Assistance Recovery Policy provision for Temporary Relocation of Facilities passed in December 2010.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR MINOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • Adult Learning Center– clean out building, main Building, replace school contents, lease modular classroom space (Jefferson Campus)
    • Total Obligated $1,172,668.86
  • Central Campus Plus– clean out building, lease building (Souris River Campus), replace school contents
    • Total Obligated $788,517.40
  • Erik Ramstad Middle School – replace building, lease modular classroom and building, clean out building, temporary dike, replace school contents, playground equipment, athletic field elements
    • Total Obligated $27,881,901.70
  • Headstart – clean out building, lease modular classroom space (Jefferson Campus), playground equipment, replace school contents, main building
    • Total Obligated $3,872,257.89
  • Lincoln Elementary – clean out building, lease building (1stPresbyterian Church), replace building, replace school contents, playground equipment, clear debris
    • Total Obligated $6,030,947.84
  • Longfellow Elementary– lease modular classroom space, clean out building, playground equipment/fence, replace school contents
    • Total Obligated $5,526,191.97
  • McKinley Elementary – clean out building, main building, replace school contents
    • Total Obligated $76,561.47
  • Perkett Elementary – clean out building, playground equipment/fence, asbestos abatement, pumping out piping tunnels, replace school contents, asphalt pathway/parking lot/sidewalk, storage sheds
    • Total Obligated $1,133,529.19
  • Sunnyside Elementary – clean out building, asbestos abatement, equipment repair, building repair
    • Total Obligated $111,752.71
  • Total Obligated for Minot Public Schools thus far $46,682,932.77
  • Project review continues and additional funding is expected.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:01:03

Link: 

Public Assistance Funds Helped Get Minot Students Back to School

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s Hyde Park Fire

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s Hyde Park Fire 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-012

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Co. — 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 Hyde Park Fire located in Larimer County.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 7:19 p.m on June 9, 2012. The fire has burned in excess of 4,000 acres of federal and state/private lands.

At the time of the request the fire was threatening 150 homes in and around Fort Collins, population 299,630. The fire is also threatening campgrounds in the area, the Stove Canyon and Poudre Canyon watersheds and an unknown amount of other infrastructure.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

FMAGs 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.

These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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, 11-Jun-2012 12:31:27

Read the article – 

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s Hyde Park Fire

Texas Hurricane History Demonstrates Need to Prepare For Upcoming Season

Texas Hurricane History Demonstrates Need to Prepare For Upcoming Season 

Release Date: May 30, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-101

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — Fourteen hurricanes and six tropical storms since 1961, which resulted in federal disaster declarations, serve as reminders to Texans that now is the time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2012 Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and while experts are predicting a slower season than in past years, most of the predictions still call for at least a normal amount of activity. The 50 year average is a little over 11 named storms, six of those becoming hurricanes and two becoming major ones – Category 3 or higher.

In the last 50 years, Texas has had 20 storms that resulted in federal declarations. Fourteen were hurricanes and six were tropical storms. The hurricanes were Carla (1961), Cindy (1963), Beulah (1967), Celia (1970), Allen (1980), Alicia (1983), Gilbert (1988), Bret (1999), Claudette (2003), Katrina (2005 – Emergency), Rita (2005), Dolly (2008), Ike (2008) and Alex (2010). The tropical storms were Danielle (1980), Allison (1989), Charley (1998), Frances (1998), Fay (2002) and Erin (2007).

Six of the hurricanes and two of the tropical storms occurred in the last decade and resulted in the Lone Star State receiving approximately $7.5 billion in federal disaster aid. That assistance fell under both the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) and Individuals and Households (IHP) programs and included funding for direct housing, crisis counseling, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans.

Hurricane Katrina in Texas was an emergency declaration and provided reimbursements to the state for housing Katrina evacuees.

There have been no hurricanes or tropical storms resulting in a FEMA disaster declaration in the past two years, but several storms have affected the state nonetheless. Tropical Storm Hermine in 2010 caused major inland flooding in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 stirred up winds that exacerbated a weekend wildfire in Bastrop County.

“These statistics more than demonstrate the need for all Texas to be prepared,” said Acting FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We say it often, but it’s the best way to get a clear message out there – Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Stay Informed.

For more information on the upcoming hurricane season, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes and www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare.

Volunteering is one way to be prepared to help others. Use VolunteerMatch to locate local Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your community. You can also visit www.citizencorps.gov for ways to help and be prepared.

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, 31-May-2012 10:57:43

See more here:  

Texas Hurricane History Demonstrates Need to Prepare For Upcoming Season

Oklahoma’‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

Oklahoma’‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now 

Release Date: May 30, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-100

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — One major hurricane, which resulted in a federal disaster declaration, serves as reminder to Oklahomans that now is the time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2012 Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and while experts are predicting a slower season than in past years, most of the predictions still call for at least a normal amount of activity. The 50 year average is a little over 11 named storms, six of those becoming hurricanes and two becoming major ones – Category 3 or higher.

Reports show that Oklahoma has had one storm that resulted in a federal declaration. It was an emergency declaration for Hurricane Katrina (2005) and resulted in the state receiving more than $12.7 million in federal disaster aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

The state received an emergency declaration after Katrina impacted Louisiana. The funding was made available to reimburse Oklahoma for its costs related to housing Katrina evacuees.

In addition to hurricane winds and rain, the season also brings threats of flooding and tornadoes which can and have impacted states that are not on the coast.

“The bottom line is that Oklahomans should be prepared for all hazards,” said Acting FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We say it often, but it’s the best way to get a clear message out there – Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Stay Informed.

For more information on the upcoming hurricane season, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes and www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare.

Volunteering is one way to be prepared to help others. Use VolunteerMatch to locate local Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your community. You can also visit www.citizencorps.gov for ways to help and be prepared.

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, 31-May-2012 10:55:13

Credit: 

Oklahoma’‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

New Mexico ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

New Mexico ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now 

Release Date: May 30, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-099

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — One major hurricane, which resulted in a federal disaster declaration, serves as reminder to New Mexicans that now’s the time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2012 Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and while experts are predicting a slower season than in past years, most of the predictions still call for at least a normal amount of activity. The 50 year average is a little over 11 named storms, six of those becoming hurricanes and two becoming major ones – Category 3 or higher.

Reports show that New Mexico has had one storm that resulted in a federal declaration. It was an emergency declaration for Hurricane Katrina (2005) and resulted in the state receiving a more than $1 million in federal disaster aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

The state received an emergency declaration after Katrina impacted Louisiana. The funding was made available to reimburse New Mexico for its costs related to housing Katrina evacuees.

In addition to hurricane winds and rain, the season also brings threats of flooding and tornadoes which can and have impacted states that are not on the coast.

“The bottom line is that New Mexicans should be prepared for all hazards,” said Acting FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We say it often, but it’s the best way to get a clear message out there – Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Stay Informed.

For more information on the upcoming hurricane season, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes and www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare.

Volunteering is one way to be prepared to help others. Use VolunteerMatch to locate local Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your community. You can also visit www.citizencorps.gov for ways to help and be prepared.

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, 31-May-2012 10:48:33

Taken from: 

New Mexico ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

Arkansas ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

Arkansas ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now 

Release Date: May 30, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-097

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — One major hurricane and two tropical storms, which resulted in federal disaster declarations, serve as reminders to Arkansans that now is the time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2012 Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and while experts are predicting a slower season than in past years, most of the predictions still call for at least a normal amount of activity. The 50 year average is a little over 11 named storms, six of those becoming hurricanes and two becoming major ones – Category 3 or higher.

Reports show that Arkansas has had three storms that resulted in federal declarations. One was an emergency declaration for a hurricane and the other two for tropical storms that were downgraded from hurricanes by the time they moved into Arkansas.

The hurricane was Katrina (2005) and the tropical storms were Gustav and Ike (2008). All three occurred in the last decade and resulted in Arkansas receiving a total of $51.9 million in federal disaster aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

The state received an emergency declaration after Katrina impacted Louisiana. The funding was made available to reimburse Arkansas for its costs related to housing Katrina evacuees. Meanwhile, tropical storms Gustav and Ike brought inland flooding to Arkansas and caused major damage to its public infrastructure.

“These statistics more than demonstrate the need for all Arkansans to be prepared,” said Acting FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We say it often, but it’s the best way to get a clear message out there – Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Stay Informed.

For more information on the upcoming hurricane season, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes and www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare.

Volunteering is one way to be prepared to help others. Use VolunteerMatch to locate local Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your community. You can also visit www.citizencorps.gov for ways to help and be prepared.

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, 31-May-2012 10:52:09

Read this article: 

Arkansas ‘Hurricane Season’ History Demonstrates Need to Prepare Now

Slidell Catholic School Receives Additional Support From FEMA

Slidell Catholic School Receives Additional Support From FEMA 

Release Date: May 31, 2012
Release Number: 1603 – 976

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS – As the construction of Our Lady of Lourdes School’s new cafeteria nears completion, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today $984,241 in additional funding to the Archdiocese of New Orleans for the Katrina-related recovery project.

This new funding brings the federal agency’s total monetary support for the cafeteria’s construction to nearly $3.5 million. More than $23.2 million has gone toward the recovery efforts at Our Lady of Lourdes School—a prekindergarten through eighth grade Catholic School located in Slidell, LA.

“We greatly appreciated FEMA’s ongoing work with us that make capital projects such as the Our Lady of Lourdes cafeteria, and entire campus, possible post-Katrina. This allows us to continue our mission to educate children of the community, and as we are very aware of in our area, education is a key element in the fight against poverty and violence,” said Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

Like many schools owned and operated by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Our Lady of Lourdes campus incurred significant damages during Hurricane Katrina. The cafeteria, which provided meals to students and also served as a general assembly center at the school, qualified for FEMA assistance after floodwaters rendered the facility completely inoperable and in need of complete reconstruction.

“Meal services for students are currently provided out of temporary facilities at Our Lady of Lourdes’ campus,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “Our recent funding, along with previously provided grants, ensures that a more permanent cafeteria will once again serve students in the near future.”

Construction of Our Lady of Lourdes’ post-Katrina cafeteria is expected to be completed during the 2012-2013 school year.

In addition to FEMA’s recent aid, on an even larger scale, FEMA has supported Our Lady of Lourdes School’s overall recovery, including funding the replacements of a majority of the school’s classrooms and administration offices.

To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $323.5 million in public assistance funding to the Archdiocese of New Orleans for Katrina-related recovery efforts across Archdiocesan-owned schools in Orleans, St. Tammany, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.

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: Thursday, 31-May-2012 10:47:30

More:  

Slidell Catholic School Receives Additional Support From FEMA

 Page 83 of 87  « First  ... « 81  82  83  84  85 » ...  Last »