Where to Bring Your Donations to Aid Louisiana Recovery Efforts: Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse Available

BATON ROUGE, La.  — A multi-agency warehouse has recently opened where volunteers can sort and store much-needed donations and supplies to support recovery efforts across the state. The warehouse is being operated as a partnership between the state and Louisiana VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).

Adventist Community Services, a national and Louisiana State VOAD partner, is managing the warehouse operations, supported by an AmeriCorps team.

The warehouse will serve as a centralized intake point for donations from local community members as well as businesses across the country. Donations will be distributed to support the efforts of non-profits, shelters, and parishes as they respond to the needs in their communities.

Contact Information:

Phone: 225-800-2227

Email: 2016flooddonations@gmail.com

Destination:

Please bring or ship to:

Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse
9550 Dawnadele Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Items always needed include: Canned or non-perishable food, sports drinks, personal care items, work gloves, disposable baby diapers, baby food/formula, can openers (manual), plastic ware, paper products, blankets, disposable adult diapers, cleaning supplies, dust masks, heavy rubber kitchen gloves, flashlights and fresh batteries, non-sterile surgical gloves, mops, brooms, shovels, hand tools, kitchen items (such as new sets of pots and pans/cooking utensils). If unsure, just ask.

What is NOT needed: There is NO need for new or used clothing.

How to get it to us: We are encouraging businesses and groups to put together a truckload of supplies. This is the most effective way to make a difference. There is no funding to pay for shipping, so look for a business or trucker willing to donate a trip.

Once you have a truckload planned and know when it is ready to leave, it is essential to coordinate logistics before the truck leaves. We need to know a detailed inventory of contents, precise time it will leave, departure point, and estimated time of arrival. All truckloads of donations must be coordinated at least 48 hours in advance of arrival.

How to Pack Materials: Pack donations so they are not damaged in transit and are easily handled. Pack materials in cardboard cartons. Fill each carton with the same kind of item; mark it clearly with a large marker or other method, such as large paper labels. Organize canned goods by type.

Use cartons of small to medium sizes so they are manageable. Maximum weight should not exceed 30 pounds. Be careful not to overfill cartons. Pack cartons in trucks so they will not be easily crushed in transit. Palletized, shrink-wrapped loads are preferred.

How you can help:

A truly compassionate response is based on what is really needed by survivors. Be sure to confirm what can be used before collecting and shipping goods. Always arrange logistics in advance to ensure that the shipments can be accepted when they arrive to avoid delays.

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From – 

Where to Bring Your Donations to Aid Louisiana Recovery Efforts: Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse Available

Recovery on Pine Ridge – One Year Later: Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Aiding Efforts

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – Hundreds of people from all over the country have contributed to recovery efforts at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservations following severe storms and flooding in May 2015. The response triggered the largest permanent housing construction effort in FEMA’s history.  As part of that effort, the agency has hired 25 local tribal members to assist in that effort, and their role has been vital.

On all disasters, FEMA tries to hire people from the impacted area to provide important local knowledge.  At Pine Ridge, this process was even more important, as the local hires also served to bridge the cultural gap and assisted more seasoned FEMA individuals in dealing with disaster survivors. 

Glenda Red Feather performs clerical work and has served as a guide, traveling with FEMA staff around the reservation and helping to explain to disaster survivors the assistance they are receiving.  Being part of positive change in her community is what attracted her.

“The reason I wanted to work with FEMA was the fact that they were providing safety and security for our people throughout the reservation,” she said. “FEMA has had such a huge impact and brought much change to the lifestyles in numerous areas around the Pine Ridge Reservation. Things like that don’t come around too often so I found it hard not to want to be able to participate in that!”

Besides assisting the disaster survivors, the local hires have also helped other FEMA staff acclimate to the reservation, as many were unfamiliar or had never been on one previously.  Staff have held numerous potlucks and informal lunches, serving as a meeting of different cultures.

“Throughout our time with FEMA we were able to teach our colleagues our cultural beliefs, customs and values,” said Red Feather.  “All of that now comes across when we are meeting with the disaster survivors.”

For the local hires, like all the FEMA staff, the rewards coming in assisting those impacted by the disaster.  But that has extra meaning when those people are neighbors, friends and family.

“The highlight of working with the FEMA agency would most definitely have to be seeing the look on the applicants face when their keys were being handed over to them,” said Red Feather. “Some didn’t know how to express their feelings while others weren’t able to control it. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you’re a part of such a program that is changing ones’ life (or many for that matter) for the better. This job has been such an overwhelming yet remarkable job.”

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Recovery on Pine Ridge – One Year Later: Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Aiding Efforts

The Time to Buy Is While It’s Dry: FEMA Urges Public to Get Flood Insurance

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges people to buy flood insurance now – before the next flood hits.

Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster, a fact people in this part of the United States know all too well. Yet statistics indicate most people ignore the risks associated with flooding and do not buy flood insurance.

However, with some forecasters calling for a wet winter in many parts of the country, local residents should buck that trend, said FEMA Region 6 officials in Denton, Texas. Those wet winter forecasts come on the heels of a spring and summer that saw Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas receive major disaster declarations for flooding.

“Nobody here will forget the heartbreaking images from this spring’s devastating floods,” said Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “Losing your family’s treasured possessions to floodwaters is hard enough; not having insurance to cover the replacement costs makes a bad situation worse.”

People who want to know whether they live in a flood-prone area and how to get flood insurance can learn more on www.floodsmart.gov. The site contains a wealth of information about the risks and costs of flooding, and the benefits of insurance.

“Once you buy an insurance policy, it takes 30 days to go into effect – so the time to act is now, before the next heavy rains,” Robinson said.

More:

The Time to Buy Is While It’s Dry: FEMA Urges Public to Get Flood Insurance

State/FEMA Recovery Center to Open in Pontotoc County

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Pontotoc County to help people in Oklahoma who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes occurring May 5 through June 22.

The DRC officially opens on Tuesday, August 4, at:

Pontotoc County
Evergreen Building
221 North Rennie
Ada, OK 74820
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

As previously announced, DRCs will also open in Carter, Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties during the week of August 3 in:

Carter County on Tuesday, August 4, at:
Ardmore Convention Center
(Conference Rooms 3 & 4)
2401 N. Rockford Road
Ardmore, OK 73401
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Okfuskee County on Tuesday, August 4, at:
Okfuskee Fair Grounds
(Administrative Building)
1202 E. Columbia
Okemah, OK 74589
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(This mobile DRC closes on Wednesday, August 5 at Noon.)

Okmulgee County on Friday, August 7, at:
Green Country Technological School
1100 N. Loop 56
Okmulgee, OK 74447
Hours: Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(This mobile DRC closes on Tuesday, August 11, at 7 p.m.)

DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance about what disaster assistance may be available.  Information from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations is available at the recovery centers. Visiting a DRC is not required but strongly recommended.

Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online with any computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov. 

Link: 

State/FEMA Recovery Center to Open in Pontotoc County

State/FEMA Recovery Center Opens in Okmulgee County

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Okmulgee County to help people in Oklahoma who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes occurring May 5 through June 22.

The mobile DRC officially opens Friday, July 24, 2015 at 7 a.m. at:

Green Country Technological School
1100 North Loop 56
Okmulgee, OK 74447
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
(This mobile DRC closes on Tuesday, July 28 at 7 p.m.)

DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance about what disaster assistance may be available.  Information from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations is available at the recovery centers.

To find a DRC near you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online with any computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov. 

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State/FEMA Recovery Center Opens in Okmulgee County

State/Fema Recovery Center Reopens in Canadian County

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will reopen in Canadian County to help people in Oklahoma who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes occurring May 5 through June 4.

The mobile DRC officially opens Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 7 a.m. at:

Jenks Simmons Field House Annex
214 North Country Club Road,
El Reno, OK 73036
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(This mobile DRC closes on Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.)

DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance about what disaster assistance may be available.  Information from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations is available at the recovery centers.

To find a DRC near you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Central Standard Time), Sunday to Saturday.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov. 

 

Link:  

State/Fema Recovery Center Reopens in Canadian County

FEMA Encourages Young People to Join Youth Preparedness Council

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced it is seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council. The Council supports FEMA’s commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related activities and provides an opportunity for young people to offer their perspectives, feedback and insights on how to help make America more resilient. 

“Young people play a key role in advancing emergency preparedness and informing our efforts,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The Youth Preparedness Council offers FEMA the unique opportunity to benefit from the perspectives of young people, while also empowering them to engage with their communities to increase readiness.”

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country who are interested and engaged in advocating youth preparedness. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities, and their potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness.

As advocates for preparedness, Council members will complete a self-selected youth preparedness project and have the opportunity to share their opinions, ideas, solutions and questions about youth disaster preparedness with FEMA leadership and national organizations working on preparedness initiatives. Members also have the opportunity to brief FEMA officials on strategies, initiatives and projects throughout their one-year term.

To apply, Youth Preparedness Council applicants must be 13 to 17 years old. They must also be engaged in individual and community preparedness or have experienced a disaster that motivated them to make a positive difference in their community. Individuals who applied for 2014 are encouraged to apply again. Current Council members have an option to extend for an additional year, upon FEMA request. Adults working with youth or on community preparedness are encouraged to share the application with young people who might be interested in applying for the Youth Preparedness Council.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a completed application form (link to be provided once available) and two letters of recommendation. Completed applications and all supporting materials must be received no later than March 2, 2015, 11:59 p.m. EST. New Youth Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2015.

For more information about completing and submitting the application, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

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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.

See the article here:

FEMA Encourages Young People to Join Youth Preparedness Council

FEMA Releases New Tribal Consultation Policy

Today, Administrator Craig Fugate announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Tribal Consultation Policy, which begins a new phase of engagement and collaboration with American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes.  The new policy establishes a process for regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials on Agency actions that have tribal implications, and it emphasizes the importance of consulting with Indian Country.

“This policy strengthens FEMA’s effort to support the emergency management needs of Indian Country,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “Providing direct Federal assistance to Tribal governments has been a top priority for FEMA, and this policy will ensure that Tribal leaders continue to have a voice in shaping how FEMA partners with communities before, during and after disasters.”

Tribal governments and their members are an essential part of our nation’s emergency management team. In developing the new policy, FEMA consulted with and received valuable input from tribes, which is reflected in the final policy announced today. As part of this process,  Administrator Fugate solicited input from Tribal Leaders for the policy during the consultation period that opened in October 2013 and continued through March 2014.

During that time, FEMA presented the policy at conferences, in face-to-face consultation meetings, in listening sessions, through webinars and in conference calls, and it received many written comments from tribes. As a result, the policy released today creates a consistent and transparent consultation process that reflects a wide array of views and will be applied across FEMA programs and offices. Additionally, FEMA’s policy builds upon and is consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Tribal Consultation Policy, and it tailors that consultation framework to FEMA’s mission. 

The final policy, as well as other related materials, is available at www.fema.gov/tribal-consultations.  More information about FEMA Tribal Affairs is available at www.fema.gov/tribal.

Originally from: 

FEMA Releases New Tribal Consultation Policy

Now is the Time to Buy Flood Insurance

DENVER —With mountain snowpack high and rainy months on the way, now is the time to buy flood insurance, say state and federal emergency management officials.

In most circumstances, there is a 30-day waiting period from the time the policy is written and the premium is paid until the policy goes into effect. That means a policy purchased today, April 2, would not go into effect until May 2. It also means that a policy purchased a few weeks from today might not be in effect when spring runoff starts.

National Flood Insurance Program policies are available for homeowners, businesses and renters and include coverage for the structure and contents. Policy limits are $250,000 for residential structures and $100,000 for residential contents. Business structures and contents can be insured for up to $500,000 each. Renter content policies are available with a limit of $100,000.

As many survivors of last September’s disaster can attest, small creeks and even dry ditches can quickly turn into wide raging rivers. In fact, most flood insurance payments across the country are paid out to people who did not live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or floodplain.

People who do live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and who have a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance. Also, anyone who lives in an A or V flood zone, and who received Individual Assistance from FEMA for last September’s flood damage, must have flood insurance or they will jeopardize federal assistance for any future flood declaration.

Flood insurance is available only to people who live or own businesses in a participating community with an approved flood hazard plan. To find out if you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact your floodplain manager through your local or county government.

People with flood insurance can collect payments for damages sustained in most flooding events, even if the flooding does not result in a disaster declaration.

The process and the rules can get complicated, so emergency officials urge anyone thinking about flood insurance to contact an insurance agent for more information. To find an agent or for more information on flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

See more here: 

Now is the Time to Buy Flood Insurance

ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Calls for Tribal Input on Disaster Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, today on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) blog, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate called on tribal communities to take part in consultations regarding changes to the disaster assistance process. The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 included a provision to amend the Stafford Act allowing tribes direct access to federal disaster relief. FEMA is consulting with tribal governments, tribal leaders, and tribal stakeholders to consider these changes and provide feedback.

Full text of Fugate’s blog post below and online here: https://www.fema.gov/blog/2013-04-08/getting-it-right-indian-country

 

Getting it right for Indian Country

Posted by: Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator

When you’re tackling a new and challenging topic, starting from a solid foundation is crucial to success.  Right now, there is an opportunity to change how the federal government provides disaster assistance and we’re looking for tribal leaders to help set a solid foundation for those changes.

When President Obama signed into law the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, he amended the Stafford Act to recognize the sovereignty of tribal governments, and this was a big step in the right direction to better meet the unique needs of Indian Country after disasters.   However, there’s still work to be done to shape disaster assistance programs and processes most effectively.  That’s where we are now — we are consulting with tribal governments, tribal leaders, and tribal stakeholders to consider changes to a range of federal disaster assistance processes and topics:

  • Input on the major disaster declaration process, 
  • Criteria to declare a major disaster, 
  • Program delivery, and 
  • The unique aspects of Indian culture that might not be currently considered by the rules. 

I encourage our tribal partners to join us in developing rules through consultation.  You’re invited to join a series of upcoming tribal consultation calls, provide ideas to FEMA’s online collaboration community, or send an e-mail to tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov.  Now is a great time to make sure the unique needs of Indian Country are considered throughout the federal disaster assistance process.

Why are we looking for input from the community?  Up to this point, FEMA has established rules around the disaster declaration process, assistance programs, and other aspects of federal assistance to meet the needs of state governments and individuals in those states.  Now, with the recent amendment to the Stafford Act, we have an opportunity to change those rules with regards to the sovereignty of tribal nations. 

In a little more than two months since the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act became law, the President has already signed two disaster declarations directly for Indian Country. The new changes have already resulted in federal disaster assistance going directly to tribal communities.

But there’s still much to be done. That’s why we’re having these consultation calls, gathering feedback online, and asking for e-mails. Once the consultation concludes, FEMA will draft proposed rules. Learn more about how to join this discussion by visiting FEMA’s online collaboration community, or send us an e-mail at tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov.

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.

Original article – 

ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Calls for Tribal Input on Disaster Assistance

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