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Atlantic County Fire Company Awarded Grant for Larger, Safer Aerial Ladder Truck

NEW YORK — The Minotola Fire Company in Buena Borough, N.J. will purchase a new aerial ladder truck to replace a smaller, 23-year-old truck that is out of service for repairs 20 percent of the time, it was announced here today.

One of Minotola’s fire commissioners, Jeffrey Pace, said today that the current vehicle has been out of service “for a week and a half, leaving our firefighters with only one engine to respond to an incident.” Commissioner Pace said, in addition, that “repairs to the truck’s hydraulic system had recently cost taxpayers nearly $20,000, or almost 10 percent of our entire fire district’s operating budget for just one repair.”

He said also that the new, 100-foot-long vehicle will allow the company’s volunteer firefighters to stay further away from a blaze than its predecessor, which, he pointed out, was unable to meet the criteria of either the National Fire Protection Association or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The federal funds providing most of the cost for the new vehicle come from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The grant totals $794,000, with the federal share coming to $756,191,” said Dale McShine, Grants Director for FEMA’s Region II. “The local share is $37,809, or five percent of the total,” she added. The grant will become effective August 26, 2016.

The Town of Minotola comprises part of Buena Borough with a sister city, Landisville, having a population of some 5,000 over eight square miles. Commissioner Pace reported that the Fire Company’s 32 volunteers firefighter respond to roughly 125 calls annually.

Commissioner Pace expressed his appreciation for the FEMA grant. “We are a small borough in western Atlantic County. We simply could not have asked our taxpayers to fund an expenditure of this size, as valuable as it is to our entire community. This is a most practical grant. It will be put to very good use while saving a good deal of taxpayer money.”

The new truck will be able to pump 2,000 gallons of water per minute and will be equipped with a 500-gallon water tank and a 30-gallon foam system, identical to the capabilities of the truck it will replace. The new ladder, though, will be able to rise 35 feet higher than the old one, which also had small structural cracks on its rungs in addition to unsafe railings.

Other new safety features will include appropriate handrails and NFPA-compliant seat belts with a warning system to notify the driver if passengers’ seat belts are not buckled.

“We also have a comprehensive training course,” said Commissioner Pace, “that will put all of our firefighters in compliance with NFPA regulations.”

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Region II Chief for grants, reports that in fiscal year 2014, the region awarded 273 grants totaling $95.6 million.

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Atlantic County Fire Company Awarded Grant for Larger, Safer Aerial Ladder Truck

New Rescue Equipment to Be Awarded to New Jersey Fire Company

NEW YORK, NY — The Borough of Deal’s Board of Commissioners are happy to report that the Deal Fire Company No. 2 will receive a $60,000 federal grant to replace out-of-date rescue equipment. The Borough of Deal is located within Monmouth County, New Jersey.

The new extrication equipment will enable the town’s firefighters to rescue people trapped in a car after an accident or unable to move as a result of another calamity. Extrication tools include hydraulically operated cutters and spreaders. Cutters enable firefighters to cut through buckled car metal as a scissors would do to cloth, while spreaders widen cut metal to allow extrication of a pinned individual.

The $60,376 award is an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and was announced here today by Dale McShine, Director of the Grants Division of the Region. The federal share of the grant totals $57,501. The grant became effective July 31, 2015.

“This rescue capability is a key part of our fire company’s responsibility in Deal and in assisting our neighboring communities,” said Fire Chief John Anastasia. “And we value this grant because it takes the place of our aging equipment and will allow us to do our job more safely and effectively,” he added.

FEMA’s Ms. McShine pointed out that in 2013, Assistance to Firefighter Grants provided funding of $21.9 million to 192 fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. “We know that these grants play major roles in the local communities that receive them,” she said, “and we are very pleased to be a part of this process.”

For further information, please contact William H. Douglass at FEMA: 212-680-3665 or 917-561-3223.

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New Rescue Equipment to Be Awarded to New Jersey Fire Company

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Card Street Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Card Street Fire, burning in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Card Street Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on June 16, 2015 at 4:54 p.m. AKDT. This is the second FMAG approved in Alaska this fire season.

The fire started on June 15, 2015, and has burned approximately 840 acres of private and state land.

At the time of the request, the fire had burned 10 structures of which 3 were primary homes. Additional losses included 2 large structures, and 5 outbuildings. The fire was threatening 300+ homes of which 200 were primary in and around the Kenai Keys. Approximately 300 people have evacuated the area and preparations are being made for more evacuations. Sheltering operations are ongoing with two currently open hosting 50 local residents and an unknown number of tourists.

Firefighting resources onsite include 12 engines, 2-crews, and additional assets ordered from out-of-state. The Federal Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is currently 5 percent contained. There are 28 uncontrolled fires within the state which has burned over 70,000 acres to date.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the State of Alaska’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Card Street Fire

NJ Firefighters to Receive New Breathing Apparatuses – Stanhope Wins Federal Grant of Nearly $158,000

NJ Firefighters to Receive New Breathing Apparatuses

Stanhope Wins Federal Grant of Nearly $158,000

New York, NY — The 3,548 residents of the Borough of Stanhope will be safer because the town’s 40 volunteer firefighters will be better equipped with their 19 new self-contained breathing apparatuses, Dale McShine, Director of Grants for FEMA’s Region II, said here today.

The new equipment for Stanhope Hose Company #1 is made possible, Ms. McShine said, by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, or AFG, which is administered by FEMA, of $157,776. The local share comes to $8,303.

Brian McNeilly, the borough’s administrator, says all the firefighters are very pleased with the new equipment. He said that it will replace units that were at least ten years old, were expensive to repair, and not compliant with National Fire Protection Association criteria. “These new units,” he pointed out, “provide a much broader field of vision, which is critical.” “Each of these new units,” he added, “is equipped with a personal alert safety system, which automatically summons assistance” should a firefighter become incapacitated or overwhelmed.

“Perhaps the most important benefit for our borough,” McNeilly observed, is that “with our small population, our firefighting volunteers are our neighbors, so when a fire or other emergency breaks out, it’s a matter of neighbors helping neighbors.”

FEMA’s Dale McShine said that the AFG program has been aiding firefighters and other first responders since 2001, “providing critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources” needed to help the public and emergency responders from fire and related hazards.

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Branch Chief for Grants, reported that, in 2012, the AFG provided funding of $25,340,000 for FEMA’s Region II (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands).

For further information, please contact William H. Douglass at FEMA: 212-680-3665 or 917-561-3223.

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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NJ Firefighters to Receive New Breathing Apparatuses – Stanhope Wins Federal Grant of Nearly $158,000

With Help from FEMA and Community, Sandy Survivor Returns Home

LINCROFT, N.J. — Frederick Ziegler promises his rebuilt house in Point Pleasant Beach will be just as spotless as he left his FEMA mobile home at Green Acres Manor in Howell Township.

Mr. Siegler poses for a picture in his home Mr. Frederick Ziegler Returns Home to Pt Pleasant BeachZiegler, a 78-year-old retired radio and electronics repairman who has been living in FEMA housing since Hurricane Sandy almost destroyed his house, is finally going home. Two feet of water flooded his home, causing his heating oil tank to rupture. Some oil mixed with the floodwaters and some seeped through the flooring into the subfloors, making cleanup difficult. It even got into the rain boots of the volunteers working to clean it up. (Kitty litter absorbed most of the oil inside the house.) Meanwhile, the oil tank filled up with salt water. The water damage in the home created mold that had to be removed. The cellulose insulation in the first floor walls collapsed below the water line, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the insulation sealed off the walls, preventing the oil from getting into them.

Mr. Siegler welcomes guests as he stands on his front steps Mr. Ziegler greets guests after returning home.After the storm, Ziegler moved in with his then-fiancée for the first four weeks, and then moved to his brother’s home in Point Pleasant Borough, not far from the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Bay Head. “It was right across from St. Paul’s Methodist Church, which was serving three meals a day (to survivors),” he recalled. He couldn’t remain at his brother’s because he developed health issues related to his brother’s cats, so he moved into a FEMA-provided mobile home in January 2013. “I like the trailer better,” he joked.

While he was living in the mobile home he could work on getting his home repaired. Calvary Chapel sent two groups of volunteers – one from Wisconsin and one from Boston – to tear out the walls and floors. A team of Mennonites from western Pennsylvania put down the new subfloor. Jersey Shore United outfitted the house with new appliances from Home Depot. Volunteers were helping Ziegler rebuild through the end of March 2014. FEMA paid for cleaning and sanitizing as well as the complete replacement of the home’s electrical system. FEMA also covered part of the cost of replacing the home’s plumbing.

Mr. Ziegler returns keys to the FEMA mobile home Mr. Ziegler returns the keys to his FEMA mobile home.Ziegler’s rebuilt home is not elevated – yet. Point Pleasant Beach had been classified as being in a Special Flood Hazard Area A-zone before Sandy hit. It was changed to a V-zone, then back to an A-zone in August 2013. Elevation is recommended, though not explicitly required, for homes in A-zones.

Ziegler is on the state’s Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) program’s waiting list for elevation funding.

Ziegler credited FEMA with connecting him to Catholic Charities and the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group, which helped him find the resources he needed to repair his home. He was both grateful and pleasantly surprised by how much overall assistance they offered. “I remember thinking, ‘Do they really want to help that (much)?’” he said. “But they’ve been great.”

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

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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With Help from FEMA and Community, Sandy Survivor Returns Home

Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Helps Communities Plan for the Future

LINCROFT, N.J. – In the weeks after a federally declared disaster, emergency teams from government agencies, nonprofits and volunteer organizations work together to help survivors make their way out of danger and find food, clothing and shelter.

After the immediate emergency is over, the long work of recovery begins.

And as New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy have learned over the past 18 months, full recovery from a devastating event like Sandy may take years.

Communities throughout New Jersey have been working hard to repair, rebuild and protect against future storms. In many cases, the challenges they face are formidable.

At the invitation of individual communities and in partnership with the state, FEMA’s office of Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination works with residents and municipal officials in impacted municipalities to develop a strategy for full recovery.

For communities that require assistance, the FDRC can provide a team of recovery specialists with a broad array of skills. Among them: civil engineering, architecture, land-use planning, economic development, environmental science and disabilities integration.

The FDRC is activated under the National Disaster Recovery Framework, which provides a structure for effective collaboration between impacted communities, federal, state, tribal and local governments, the private sector, and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations during the recovery phase of a disaster.

Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator consult with impacted municipalities and assist with long-term planning, helping these communities determine what their priorities are and what resources they will need to achieve a full recovery.

In major disasters or catastrophic events, the FDRC is empowered to activate six key areas of assistance known as Recovery Support Functions.

The RSFs are led by designated federal coordinating agencies: Housing (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development); Infrastructure Systems (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers); Economic (U.S. Department of Commerce); Health and Social Services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services); Natural and Cultural Resources (U.S. Department of Interior); and Community Planning and Capacity Building (FEMA).

Working in partnership with a State Disaster Recovery Coordinator and a Hazard Mitigation Adviser, the FDRC oversees an assessment of impacted communities and helps to develop a recovery support strategy. That strategy helps these hard-hit communities gain easier access to federal funding, bridge gaps in assistance, and establish goals for recovery that are measurable, achievable and affordable.

Here in New Jersey, approximately 12 communities have partnered with FDRC to prioritize their goals for recovery, locate the resources needed to achieve those goals and rebuild with resiliency.

In the Borough of Highlands, FDRC has assisted this severely impacted community in developing a plan for a direct storm water piping system that will decrease flooding in the low-lying downtown area. FDRC has also collaborated with the community on designing a more resilient, attractive and commercially viable central business district called the Bay Avenue Renaissance Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has initiated a feasibility study on their plan to protect the town from future flooding via a mitigation effort that includes installing floodwalls, raising bulkheads and building dune barriers.

In the devastated Monmouth County town of Sea Bright, FDRC worked with the community to create a plan for the construction of a beach pavilion that will serve as a year-round community center, library, lifeguard facility and beach badge concession. FDRC is also working with Sea Bright officials to develop a grant application to fund streetscape improvements in the downtown area of this beachfront municipality

In Tuckerton, FDRC worked with municipal officials on a plan to relocate its heavily damaged police station and borough facilities to a former school building that is much less vulnerable to flooding.

In partner communities throughout the state, FDRC subject matter experts are working to help residents envision a future that incorporates a strong infrastructure, increased storm protection and an enhanced environment that reflects the vision of the community.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
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.

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

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Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Helps Communities Plan for the Future

Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

TRENTON, N.J. – Superstorm Sandy left many thousands of homes, municipal services and emergency service facilities across New Jersey without power.

But Seaside Heights, a Seaside Heights generators Seaside Heights, NJ generators were essential for emergency services during Superstorm Sandy. – Photo by Rosanna Arias Jersey Shore barrier island borough, escaped the massive power outages that most other areas faced because of its three peak-demand generators which had been protected from high water when they were installed.

“Initially, we powered them on to supply electricity for the firehouse, emergency management, the police headquarters and the municipal building,” Seaside Heights Borough Superintendent William Rumbolo said.

Because Sandy’s impact on the borough would be unpredictable, officials began preparations for the storm by having emergency workers and officials go door-to-door encouraging residents to evacuate. As Sandy got closer, officials moved the borough’s fire trucks inland to Toms River to escape anticipated flooding and brought in three army trucks the Office of Emergency Management Coordinator obtained for emergency transportation.

When Sandy came ashore, the storm brought winds that knocked down telephone poles, knocking out power and trapping emergency responders and residents who failed to heed the evacuation warnings.

Emergency responders (approximately 45 firemen and 30 policemen) were able to use the generators to keep electricity going and complete rescue missions.

For three weeks, Seaside Heights used the generators to power the community. “We fired up the generators and made some connections so that we could run the whole town,” Rumbolo said. Borough officials originally proposed the idea of obtaining generators to help reduce the cost of wholesale power during peak demand times.

The three two-megawatt diesel generators and their installation cost the borough nearly $4 million. The generators were initially intended to be used during heavy power use hours, to reduce community power consumption and give the borough a better rate when purchasing electricity.

The borough made the decision to power the generators with diesel fuel in the initial installation, which worked out well during the storm since natural gas – the other option – was unavailable to the island after the storm.

“We were able to truck in diesel fuel and run the generators,” said borough officials. “If these things had been powered by natural gas, we would not have been able to use them.”

Sandy brought flooding to the area but the generators had been installed approximately 43 inches above the ground and one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.

Although Seaside Heights officials did not buy and install the generators primarily to be a backup power source, having them was crucial to keep the town running in the aftermath of the storm.

Officials powered up two hotels in the borough so that the responders and those rescued could have a place to stay. They were also able to power the water main to supply running water throughout the borough.

Having the generators protected from storm surge and fully operational gave the borough the ability to safely house the emergency responders as close to the damaged area as possible enabling them to continue uninterrupted response operations.

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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Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

Change Announced for Staten Island Disaster Recovery Center

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in Staten Island have until 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, to visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Borough Hall.

The center is at 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. It has been open since Nov. 10 and has provided face-to-face information and help to more than 650 hurricane survivors since then. The center will be open until 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows, a center may change its hours to reflect the fact that most information needs of storm survivors in the area are being met.

Other Disaster Recovery Centers in Staten Island are located at:

Miller Field
600 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun

Kia in Staten Island
1976 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat

Additional options for hurricane survivors include:

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.

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Change Announced for Staten Island Disaster Recovery Center

President Declares Disaster for Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Alaska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides during the period of September 15-30, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides in the areas of Alaska Gateway Rural Educational Attendance Area (REAA), Chugach REAA, Denali Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the Matanuska Susitna Borough.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Kenneth K. Suiso has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

President Declares Disaster for Alaska

National Flood Insurance Program Probation for West Pittston, PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEMA has issued a letter to West Pittston that establishes a new deadline of December 1, 2012, for the community to correct the floodplain management violations and program deficiencies. FEMA listened to the concerns from stakeholders about the deadline established for the NFIP probation action and has approved a two month extension for West Pittston Borough, PA.

The deficiencies cited in the probation letter include failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the Borough’s floodplain program, and lack of adequate record keeping. Direct violations of the community’s flood damage prevention ordinance include lack of enforcement on substantially flood damaged structures.

Property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period, but a $50 surcharge will be added to any policy sold or renewed in the community for the next year beginning on December 1, 2012. There are currently 358 flood insurance policies in the Borough.

If the Borough fails to make progress during the first six months of the NFIP probation, or by June 1, 2013, the Borough could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the community, meaning that residents will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after the suspension occurs. Additionally, if a flood disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), including federal assistance to individuals and households is not available. Furthermore, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a SFHA.

FEMA remains committed to work with the officials of West Pittston to help the Borough achieve a good standing in the NFIP.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available athttp://www.fema.gov/medialibraryandwww.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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National Flood Insurance Program Probation for West Pittston, PA

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