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FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

WILLISTON, Vt. – You’ve made an emergency plan and set up a phone tree for your family members to call during a disaster. You’ve even put together a disaster kit with water, food, a flashlight and portable radio.

But have you planned for what you’ll do with your dog or cat if a flood or other disaster strikes?

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging people to remember their pets as they make plans to cope with an emergency.

“For many of us, a pet is a beloved family member,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “As you are taking steps to ensure your family’s safety, don’t forget that emergencies affect animals as well.”

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency.

Whether you stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets but bear in mind that what’s best for you is usually what’s best for your animals.

“Vermont has the highest rate of pet ownership in the nation at over 70 percent,” said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer James McPherson. “That means most Vermonters need to think about their needs as well the needs of other family members.”

While many emergency shelters will not permit pets inside, officials still advise against leaving them behind if you are forced to evacuate, instead urging people to make alternative arrangements.

“If you evacuate your home, you should bring your pets with you,” Landry said. “Pets will find it difficult to survive alone, and even if they do you may not be able to locate them when you return.”

Pet owners should keep a photograph of themselves with their pet both to establish ownership and assist in efforts to locate the pet, and may wish to consider having a microchip implanted in their animal to make identification easier. A collar with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device can also assist in locating a pet after a disaster.

For more information, check out: www.ready.gov/caring-animals

“Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners” Video- (closed captioning & ASL)

http://youtu.be/aUbSF_S20bE

Email us: ready@fema.gov or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585

Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly

preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

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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.

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FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

FEMA Announces Next Meeting of the National Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will hold the next National Advisory Council (NAC) public meeting on Friday, April 26, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT at the Hilton Garden Inn Capitol Hill Hotel located at 1225 First Street, NE in Washington, DC.

The NAC was established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, mitigation for disasters. The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management and incorporates federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and private sector partners’ input into the development and revision of FEMA policies and strategies.

During the April meeting, the NAC will meet with the FEMA Administrator and Deputy Administrator for the purpose of reviewing the progress and/or potential recommendations of its three subcommittees: Preparedness and Protection; Response and Recovery; and Federal Insurance and Mitigation. The NAC will specifically discuss:

How FEMA allocates planning, training, and funding resources to ensure whole community response and recovery efforts are sustainable;
National Mass Care Strategy;
National Incident Management System (NIMS);
National Flood Insurance Program – Group Flood Insurance Policy;
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012;
FEMA Qualification System (FQS); and
Sandy Recovery Improvement Act.

In addition, the FEMA Program Offices will brief the Council on emerging topics in emergency management. A public comment period will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. Those not attending and who wish to submit comments please visit the NAC website for additional information.

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the Office of the NAC by email at

FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov

For more information on the NAC please visit www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

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FEMA Announces Next Meeting of the National Advisory Council

Only Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Disaster Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Cleveland and Creek counties who sustained damage due to the Aug. 3-14 wildfire have until Nov. 21 to apply for disaster assistance.

“Registration is the first step in the process, but time is running out,” said State Coordinating Officer and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Deputy Director Michelann Ooten. “We want everyone who is eligible to receive assistance as soon as possible.”

“To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $6.7 million to help people in Cleveland and Creek counties whose property was damaged or destroyed, and whose losses are not covered by insurance or other forms of assistance,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “If anyone has suffered losses or damages as a result of the wildfire and has not yet registered for assistance, I urge them to register before time runs out.”

Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses of real and personal property must also be submitted by Nov. 21. The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to qualified homeowners, renters and certain private non-profit organizations and businesses of any size that sustained uninsured or underinsured losses due to the disaster.

To register for FEMA disaster assistance, those with access to and who wish to use a computer or smartphone may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app. Survivors can also register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, the number is also 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven day a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the Aug. 3-14 wildfire, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

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.

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Only Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today, the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in both Cleveland and Creek counties is being extended to Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“We want to make sure that all eligible residents have enough time to apply for assistance,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten. “The two counties were not declared at the same time. That is why we are extending the deadline.”

“We hope this additional time will ensure that every one in Cleveland and Creek counties affected by the wildfires has an opportunity to register for state and federal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III of FEMA. “We want to be sure to reach all wildfire survivors who still need help.”

Nov. 21 will be the last day for residents to apply for state and federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Aug. 3-14 wildfires This deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents with computers or smartphones may apply or track their status online at; www.disasterassistance.gov, or web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app, or if they prefer, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the wildfires, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

To date, more than 750 residents of Cleveland and Creek counties have applied for assistance. Nearly $9.8 million in federal assistance has been distributed in Cleveland and Creek counties to help residents with their recovery efforts.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smartphone at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

FEMA Obligates Another Public Assistance Grant For $1 Million+ To Aid In Irene Recovery: Town Of Bethel Projects Approved

FEMA OBLIGATES ANOTHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR $1 MILLION+ TO AID IN IRENE RECOVERY: TOWN OF BETHEL PROJECTS APPROVED

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has obligated funding for an approved $1.2 million dollar road repair project in the Town of Bethel. Public Assistance funding to the Town now totals $4,601,750 for Tropical Storm Irene damage.

“This money will not only assist the Town of Bethel in its recovery but the entire State of Vermont,” said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Steve Ward, head of FEMA’s operations in Vermont. “FEMA is committed to working with all impacted communities and providing all the assistance that applicants are eligible to receive.”

As of August 28, 344 Vermont municipalities and other applicants have been approved for Public Assistance funding. FEMA has obligated, or paid to the state, over $125.5 million in PA grants to aid in recovery money to reimburse the state and municipalities for repairs to damaged or destroyed infrastructure like roads and bridges and rescue operations.

There are 74 eligible projects in the town of Bethel. The largest project repairs Gilead Brook Road, a Class Three Town Highway, which was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Irene. Repair work includes reconstructing the road base and replacing culverts that had crossed the road in many locations. FEMA has obligated $1,237,055 in reimbursement funds to cover expenses such as contract labor fees incurred with the repair work. The Town of Bethel partially restored sections of the damaged road to pre-disaster condition and replaced the washed out rip rap, stone and fill on the road embankments.

FEMA obligates funding for Public Assistance projects directly to the State. As announced in May 2012, FEMA is paying 90 percent of Vermont applicants’ eligible costs for Tropical Storm Irene rather than the standard 75 percent. The state and municipality share the remainder of the cost.

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FEMA Obligates Another Public Assistance Grant For $1 Million+ To Aid In Irene Recovery: Town Of Bethel Projects Approved

Vermont Travelers Should "Pledge To Prepare" For This Weekend

VERMONT TRAVELERS SHOULD “PLEDGE TO PREPARE” FOR THIS WEEKEND

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – September is National Preparedness Month. As we approach Labor Day weekend, when hotel visits throughout Vermont peak, the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages travelers to follow this year’s National Preparedness Month theme, “Pledge to Prepare.” Be prepared for emergencies that could happen while staying in hotels.

“Vermont travelers should pledge to be prepared this holiday weekend,” said FEMA Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Steve Ward. “As you prepare for your trip, be sure to plan for what you would do to help you and your traveling companions in the event of an emergency.”

How much do you really know about being prepared for a disaster when you’re staying in a hotel? Keeping a few important points in mind could make a difference in an emergency.

Keep necessary items handy

When you enter your hotel room, place necessary items like your wallet, keys and cell phone somewhere close by the door to be able to grab them and get out of the building as fast as possible. Especially when staying in an area that is unfamiliar to you, it will be important to keep these items in a spot you will remember.

Know your evacuation routes

Familiarize yourself with the layout of the hotel. Make a note of where the closest stairway or floor-level exit to your room is located. Evacuation routes are typically posted on the back of the hotel room door, at the elevator and in the stairwells.

In the event of a fire

Touch the door to check for heat. If the door feels warm, don’t use it as an exit.

“The first rule in any fire situation is to check the door,” said Tim Armstrong, a Vermont hotel manager.

If you are in a situation where smoke is coming under the closed door, wet towels and put them under the door to prevent smoke from coming inside the hotel room. Call the front desk for instructions.

“While disasters are unexpected, being prepared allows you to enjoy the beauty you’ve planned to see,” said Cody O’Leary, a Vermont hotel manager. “For more information, visit www.Ready.gov.”

FEMA encourages Vermonters to be prepared for emergencies by building a kit, and that guideline may be applied to items packed while traveling. A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of items like a flashlight, water bottles, a battery-powered radio and anything else you may need in the event of an emergency. For more information about disaster supplies kits, visit: http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.

To view a FEMA video featuring Vermont emergency preparedness advice wherein Vermont hotel managers discuss being prepared for emergencies while traveling on the road and staying in hotels, visit: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/9426.

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Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, 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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Vermont Travelers Should "Pledge To Prepare" For This Weekend

Nation’s First FEMA Corps Members Sworn In to Begin Disaster Response Service

VICKSBURG, Miss.– A historic new collaboration between two federal agencies to strengthen the nation’s disaster response capabilities was launched today as the nation’s first 240 FEMA Corps members were sworn into service at an induction ceremony in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

FEMA Corps is an innovative partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to enhance disaster response and recovery capacity while expanding career opportunities for young people.

Established as a new unit within the existing AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), FEMA Corps engages young adults ages 18 to 24 to provide ten months of full-time service on disaster response and recovery projects. Members will be deployed to assignments ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovery centers to sharing disaster response and mitigation information with the public.

At today’s induction ceremony, members of the inaugural FEMA Corps class took the AmeriCorps pledge to “get things done for America” and heard from agency leaders about the important work that lies ahead. FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino and CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer were on hand to welcome the members and thank them for their commitment to service.

“When I visit communities devastated by disasters like Joplin, Mo., I always find members of AmeriCorps lending a helping hand to survivors,” said Serino. “Today’s inductees are taking part in an exciting new pursuit — combining the exceptional record of citizen service at AmeriCorps NCCC with FEMA’s specialized mission of supporting survivors with their recovery after a disaster. I commend and thank every member of the inaugural class of FEMA Corps for their dedication to helping communities in need.”

“I commend you for answering the call to serve and making a difference for people and communities in need,” said Spencer. “As the nation’s very first FEMA Corps members, you are helping write a new chapter in the history of national service. With your training, backed by your team, and inspired by your passion, you will bring much-needed hope and assistance to disasters survivors. As you help others, this year will help you – giving you skills, expanding your opportunities, and setting you on a lifelong path of service to others.”

Today’s induction ceremony marked the end of one month of AmeriCorps NCCC training and the start of FEMA position-specific training. After completing training this month, members will be deployed to their first assignments. FEMA Corps will supplement FEMA’s existing Reservist workforce in assisting citizens and communities who have been impacted by disasters.

After completing 1,700 hour of service, FEMA Corps members will receive a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for tuition or pay student loans. Members will gain significant training and experience in disaster services that can serve as a pathway to employment in the emergency management profession.

FEMA Corps members will be based out of five AmeriCorps NCCC campuses across the country: Sacramento, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Vinton, Iowa; Perry Point, Md.; and, Vicksburg, Miss. The program will engage 1,600 members annually when fully operational next year.

To learn more about FEMA Corps or to apply (individuals aged 18-24), visit AmeriCorps website www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp or FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov.

To view photos from the ceremony, visit the following links:

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Social Innovation Fund, and other programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

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Nation’s First FEMA Corps Members Sworn In to Begin Disaster Response Service

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Utah’s Dump Fire

Release Date: June 22, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-013

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

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

FEMA Deputy Regional Administrator Doug Gore approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) upon receiving the state’s request at 11:10 a.m. MDT Friday morning. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around Saratoga Springs, UT, population 2,000. Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were taking place in the area and affecting approximately 250 people. The fire was also threatening utilities, recreation areas and a watershed. At the time of the request, the fire had burned in excess of 800 acres on state and private lands.

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

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 22-Jun-2012 16:04:37

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Utah’s Dump Fire

Atlantic Hurricane Season Beings Today

Release Date: June 1, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-041

MIAMI, Fla. — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today joined FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Deputy Administrator Rich Serino, NOAA National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read and Florida Governor Rick Scott to discuss the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season outlook and preparedness measures with leadership of hurricane-prone states.

“We may not know exactly what Mother Nature will bring this year, but we are leaning forward in our preparations, utilizing the ‘Whole Community Approach’,” said Secretary Napolitano. “As part of this approach, we are engaging the broadest possible set of partners in our preparedness efforts—integrating planning across federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments as well as with private sector, community, non-governmental, and faith-based partners.”

Hurricane season begins June 1 and extends through November 30. Being aware of risks and hazards and taking the steps to prepare can reduce the impacts of hurricanes.

“Hurricane season officially begins today and yet we have already had two named storms,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate. “When it comes to preparing for disasters, don’t simply focus on the calendar … focus on the need to be prepared. You can go to www.ready.gov and find all of the tools and information you need to prepare your home, business and family.”

This season, we ask families, communities and businesses to be a force of nature by taking the pledge to prepare at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov.

Last Modified: Monday, 04-Jun-2012 16:42:00

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