WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center pilot program to serve and support policyholders with the servicing of their claims.

Flood insurance claims can be complicated, and policyholders may have questions in the days and weeks following a disaster.

The NFIP call center is reachable at 1-800-621-3362, and will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists will be available to assist policyholders with the servicing of their claims, provide general information regarding their policies, and/or offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

For those who prefer to put their concerns in writing, a “Request for Support” form is posted at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, which can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-NFIP-Support@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 540-504-2360.

Call center staff will be able to answer questions, such as “How do I file a flood insurance claim? What type of documentation is needed? Can I still obtain disaster assistance even though I have a flood policy?” as well as more complicated insurance questions about the extent of coverage, policy ratings, and more.  The call center will also be open to disaster survivors who have general questions about the NFIP.

“Flood insurance provides residents with the ability to protect themselves financially against the most common disaster we see in America,” said Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “We’re providing this new resource to ensure that the people we serve have another way get information they may need to understand how flood insurance works and how to navigate the claims process.  This hotline also provides us with a direct connection to policyholders themselves should they have concerns to report about how their claims are being handled and enabling us to take prompt action to ensure that they receive every dollar they are owed under their policies.”

Flood insurance plays a critical role in assisting survivors on their road to recovery. Like other types of insurance, it does not cover all losses, but it is the first line of defense against a flood. While the policy payouts won’t make the insured whole, our top priority is to ensure policyholders get what they are due under their coverage. This initiative is part of FEMA’s ongoing commitment to effective, long-term improvements to the NFIP.

 

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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.

Excerpt from: 

National Flood Insurance Program Call Center Opens for Policyholders and Disaster Survivors Nationwide

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a new data visualization tool that enables users to see when and where disaster declarations have occurred across the country. As hurricane season kicks off, the tool helps provide important information about the history of hurricanes and other disasters in their communities and what residents can do to prepare.

The data visualization tool is accessible at fema.gov/data-visualization and allows users to view and interact with a wide array of FEMA data. Through an interactive platform, users can view the history of disaster declarations by hazard type or year and the financial support provided to states, tribes and territories, and access public datasets for further research and analysis. On the site, you can see compelling visual representations of federal grant data as it relates to fire, preparedness, mitigation, individual assistance and public assistance.

“We have a wealth of data that can be of great use to the public,” said FEMA’s Deputy Administrator of Protection and National Preparedness Tim Manning. “By providing this information in a way that is visual and easy to understand, people will be moved to action to prepare their families and communities.”

The data visualization tool builds on FEMA’s commitment to transparency by making it easy to convert historical data – already available via the OpenFEMA initiative – into a readable and interactive map. Users can see the types of disasters that have occurred in their community and FEMA’s support to build and sustain the capabilities needed to prevent, protect, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from those threats and hazards in the future. The tool also provides ways for users to take action to prepare for future disasters by supporting community preparedness planning, providing information on individual preparedness actions people can take, or joining a local Citizen Corps program.

FEMA encourages all individuals to interact with the tool, learn more about the emergency management process, and provide feedback. FEMA will continue to develop additional visualizations based on feedback and the availability of public data.

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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.

View post: 

FEMA Launches New Data Visualization Tool

Oklahoma City – People in Oklahoma who’ve been affected by the recent severe storms and flooding may soon see Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in neighborhoods, knocking on doors.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are partnering to provide this mobile resource to help connect homeowners, business owners and faith-based and community organizations with the necessary resources to start the recovery process.

“It’s great to have DSA teams out in the communities where they can help connect the dots between survivors and assistance that may be available for them,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten.

The teams offer survivors registration assistance; up-to-date information on their application status; on-the-spot needs assessment; and referrals to help fill any outstanding needs.

“These teams are here to help,” said Federal Coordinating Officer John Long. “They will all be carrying FEMA badges and may ask for some critical information to help speed your case along.”

The DSA teams may request the following information:

•    A phone number where you can be reached;
•    Your social security number;
•    Your current mailing address;
•    The address of the affected property;
•    A brief description of the damages; and
•    Insurance information including your policy number.

DSA teams are currently visiting neighborhoods and businesses in Cleveland, Grady and Oklahoma counties.

When DSA teams arrive at a home, business or any other organization, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraudulent activities.

Additionally, survivors can apply for state and federal assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. People may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362.

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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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
 

Link to article – 

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Oklahoma Neighborhoods

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 Office has a new Deputy Administrator. Moises Dugan was officially sworn in today by FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

“Moises Dugan is an effective leader and brings a wealth of experience to this critically important position at FEMA Region 6,” said Robinson. “As Deputy Regional Administrator, he will work very closely with our federal, state, local and tribal partners in our Region 6 states – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.”

Dugan began his emergency management career in 1989 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He’s also worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. and North Texas, as well as FEMA Region 6 and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta, Ga.

During his previous stint with FEMA Region 6, he worked on a number of high-profile federal disasters, including the Cerro Grande fire in New Mexico in 2000 and the loss of the Shuttle Columbia over Texas and Louisiana in 2003. Additionally, Dugan served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

“I am happy to be coming back home to FEMA Region 6,” said Dugan. “It’s an honor to again be associated with this group of dedicated and caring emergency management professionals. I know that, together, we will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

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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 us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
 

More:  

Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $708,653 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Plainfield Township, Mich., to acquire and demolish 15 residential structures in the Grand River floodplain.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator, Andrew Velasquez III. “The acquisition and demolition of these homes permanently removes the structures from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“I strongly encourage our communities to seize the opportunity for hazard mitigation assistance to enhance the safety of Michigan’s citizens,” said Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “With federal aid, our communities can initiate projects to save lives and protect public property and health.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $944,871 eligible project cost. The property owners and Plainfield Township will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $236,218.

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 twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at 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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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455
 

This article is from: 

FEMA Awards $708,653 Grant to Plainfield Township

Warren, Mich. – Michigan homeowners, renters and business owners in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties may be eligible for additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies.

Filling out a disaster loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a necessary step for homeowners and renters to be considered for some other forms of disaster assistance. If the SBA is unable to approve a loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA for some other type of disaster aid.

Survivors are not required to accept a SBA low-interest disaster loan, but information provided on the loan application may be used to help determine eligibility for a variety of FEMA programs that can help renters rebuild their lives.

“Renters are tightly woven into the fabric of Michigan and their recovery is crucial to Southeast Michigan,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Many renters have registered with FEMA and are receiving housing assistance.”

Renters, like homeowners, may be eligible for FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses. It’s important for survivors to understand that they must complete and return their SBA loan application in order to be eligible for Other Needs Assistance grants.

“Completing and returning the SBA application is a crucial step,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont.  “People who fail to apply could miss out on FEMA grants that may be available to them.”  

These low-interest loans can be used for:
•    Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged, household items such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the self-employed for their jobs
•    Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster

Homeowners and renters who want to apply for a SBA low-interest loan may be eligible for up to $40,000 for personal property losses.
•    Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000, with interest rates as low as 2.063 percent. These loans are available to homeowners to repair/replace primary residences if not fully compensated by insurance or some other source.
•    Businesses may borrow up to $2 million at interest rates as low as 4.0 percent for any combination of physical damage or economic injury.
•    The term of a low-interest disaster loan can be up to 30 years.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance or an SBA disaster loan is Nov. 24, 2014. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 25, 2015.

A simple way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955; TTY users call 800-877-8339. Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting sba.gov.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY users call 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT, seven days
a week.

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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 twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
 

Excerpt from:

Michigan Residents Urged To Complete and Submit SBA Applications

WARREN, Mich. – State and federal officials report more than 92,000 Michigan residents affected by the August floods have been approved for more than $110 million in federal disaster assistance. Survivors are strongly encouraged to register for federal assistance before the Nov. 24 deadline.      

Applications must be received by the November date to be considered for assistance from the FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline only refers to the last day survivors can apply. Disaster funds will continue to flow beyond that date.

“One month may seem like a long time but it’s surprising how fast it can slip by, especially at this time of the year,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Michiganders who have not registered should do so today, so we can see how we may help.”

Storm-affected homeowners and renters in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties may be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses including essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

“Thousands of Michigan residents are putting state and federal recovery assistance to good use toward their recovery,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont. “We urge survivors who have not registered to do so before the deadline.”

Homeowners are eligible to apply for SBA low-interest loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged primary homes.

  • Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for loans up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property including automobiles.
  • Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.
  • Small businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for working capital loans.

Residents can register for Individual Assistance or check the status of their registrations online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY users 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors who have questions regarding the registration process, the status of their application and available disaster assistance programs are encouraged to visit a Disaster Recovery Center, Business Recovery Center or recovery support site, or contact FEMA at 800-621-3362.

To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, the following options are available: Text DRC and ZIP Code to 43362, and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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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 twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

 

Originally posted here:

Michigan Flood Aid Tops $110 Million; Registration Deadline Nears

WARREN, Mich. – With more than $69.3 million in disaster recovery assistance approved for Michigan homeowners and renters, fake building contractors are angling to get their hands on some of it, state and federal officials warned.

Scam artists and other criminals often prey on survivors who have received money to repair their storm-damaged homes. Authorities in Michigan have already received isolated reports of people doing just that.

“In times of crisis, Michiganders pull together and help each other when it’s needed most,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Unfortunately, there are some people who will try to take advantage of disaster survivors. We strongly recommend that individuals take a few simple steps to make sure they’re dealing with an honest person.”

Homeowners and renters may be anxious to repair their homes as quickly as possible, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges them to first check the credentials of anyone offering to do repairs.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) offers valuable resources to help determine whether a contractor is a legitimate professional:

  • For residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors, an online license search is available at www.michigan.gov/licenselookup or by calling the LARA’s Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau at (517) 373-8376.
  • Electricians, plumbers and mechanical contractors are licensed by LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes and must have a license that corresponds to the work to be done. Mechanical contractors must also have the proper license classification. To verify license information, go to www.michigan.gov/bcclicense or call (517) 241-9313.

“In every disaster, there are always a few individuals who want to profit from the recovery effort,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont. “Asking just a few questions can save people from a lot of heartache.”

It is important to note that FEMA housing inspectors verify damage, but do not hire or endorse contractors to repair homes. FEMA housing inspectors do not determine eligibility for assistance.

When hiring a contractor:

  • Ask the individual to show you his or her “pocket card,” which will contain the license number.
  • Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.
  • Get a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials, and read the fine print.
  • Select only contractors that carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If the contractor is not insured, the homeowner may be liable for accidents that occur on the property.

The most common post-disaster fraud practices involve not only fraudulent building contractors, but phony housing inspectors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.

Those who suspect fraud may call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement or through the Michigan Attorney General’s office at 877-765-8388 or online at www.michigan.gov/ag.

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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 twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

Originally from: 

Michigan Residents Warned of Fake Building Contractors

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Community Emergency Response Teams prepare for the worst, then when disaster strikes, they help themselves, their families, their neighborhoods and their communities.

Begun in Los Angeles in 1985, the CERT program consists of specially trained volunteers who are called into action during and immediately following major disasters before first responders can reach the affected areas. They work closely with fire and emergency management departments in their communities.

More than 2,200 CERT programs are available in the United States. In Alabama, 10 counties offer CERT training and maintain teams. During a disaster, Alabama CERT members may self-deploy in their neighborhoods, be mobilized by a sheriff’s office or report to a pre-determined location.  

“CERT groups provide immediate assistance to people in their areas and lead spontaneous volunteers before we can get to the area and inform emergency management of what the needs are,” said Art Faulkner, director of Alabama Emergency Management.

Billy Green, Deputy Director of Emergency Management for Tuscaloosa County, had just finished a training class for Hispanic CERT volunteers the week before the tornado outbreak of April 2011 in Alabama.

“We finished on the Saturday before the tornadoes hit,” he said. “These Spanish speakers took exactly what they learned and put it out in the field. The City of Holt has a high Hispanic population, and this team was able to go out there and do search and rescues.”

Holy Spirit Catholic Church set up its own shelter for the Hispanic population, he added. “Those guys were in that shelter helping and making sure everyone was all right.”

This April’s severe weather and flooding caught many Mobile County residents by surprise, said Mike Evans, Deputy Director of Mobile County Emergency Management Agency.

“Mobile gets the most rainfall of anywhere in the continental United States with 67 inches per year,” he said. “This wasn’t like during hurricane season; getting a lot of rain and thunderstorms is pretty common. But areas that normally flood didn’t, it was urban areas.”

Since the ground was already saturated, the rain had nowhere to go so roads that were low flooded, he said.

“People tried to drive through and we had to get them out,” Evans said.

CERTs distributed commodities and one team knocked on doors asking who was going to leave the area and who was going to stay, he said. After the storm, his teams notified people who left the area of the status of their property.

CERTs can also work with crowd and traffic control, work at water stations at large events, help community members prepare for emergencies, and assist with fire suppression and medical operations as well as search and rescue operations.

Initially, CERT members take training classes that cover components of disaster activities, including disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, search and rescue and disaster psychology and team organization. Additional training occurs twice a year with mock disasters. Refresher courses are also held. The Federal Emergency Management Agency supports CERT by conducting or sponsoring train-the-trainer and program manager courses for members of the fire, medical and emergency management community, who then train individual CERTs.

CERTs are organized in the Alabama counties of Dale, DeKalb, Shelby, Morgan, Tallapoosa, Jefferson, Colbert, Calhoun, Russell and Coffee.

To join an existing CERT program in your community, go online to www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams. Click on the “find nearby CERT programs” link and enter your zip code. If there is a team near you, you will see the name and phone number of a contact person as well as pertinent information about the local program.

That site can also provide information on how to build and train your own community CERT, the curriculum for training members as well as how to register the program with FEMA.

Aside from providing a vital community service, CERT members receive professionally recognized training and continue to increase their skills.

“CERTs complement and enhance first-response capabilities by ensuring safety of themselves and their families, working outward to the neighborhood and beyond until first responders arrive,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis. “They are one of the many volunteer organizations that we rely on during a disaster.”

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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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.  For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA  or www.twitter.com/femaregion4

 

 

See more here – 

CERT: Prepared for the Worst When Disaster Strikes

DENTON, Texas – September is National Preparedness Month. In recognition of that, North Texas emergency managers teamed up today for an “Open House for Preparedness,” where they shared their knowledge and experience with hundreds of third graders in the Duncanville Independent School District (ISD).

The students interacted one-on-one with experts from the city of Duncanville Fire Department and Police Department; the Best Southwest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); the American Red Cross; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

They learned critical emergency information such as how to prepare for any type of disaster including fires, earthquakes and tornadoes; how to put together an emergency preparedness kit; and how to be aware of “stranger danger.”

“Over the next few weeks, our third grade students will be studying catastrophic events and their impact on communities, and how to better prepare their own families for catastrophes,” said Duncanville ISD Chief Academic Officer Liz Birdwell. “Today’s event gave students direct access to emergency experts, who shared in an engaging and meaningful way what preparedness means and what it looks like.”

“We are so excited to work with our partners to share this very important preparedness message with everyone – especially the students,” said FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator David Passey. “That’s because preparedness starts at home and, very often, young people are the catalyst for action in their families.”

Tools and resources are available to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.Ready.gov or the Spanish language site www.Listo.gov. These sites include important information such as how to put together an emergency kit, make a plan and stay informed. 

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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 us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

 

Taken from: 

North Texas Emergency Managers Participate in Open House for Preparedness

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