FEMA 2014 Funding for Arkansas Tops $47 Million

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $47 million in 2014 funding to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and community partners for disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness.

“FEMA, in partnership with ADEM, continues to provide funding to assist communities recovering from and mitigating against future damage,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to helping Arkansas residents strengthen their resilience.”

The $47 million includes more than $7 million from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, $23 million in Public Assistance dollars for repair and replacement of infrastructure after a disaster, $6 million in Hazard Mitigation, and more than $11 million in Preparedness funding to mitigate damage from future disasters.

“We at Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and all Arkansans affected by disaster appreciate the partnership we have with FEMA,” said ADEM Director David Maxell. “This relationship allows governmental entities and individuals to better protect themselves before an emergency and then begin down the road to recovery if a disaster occurs.”

The 2014 federal funding covered numerous projects in Arkansas including:
•    More than $7 million to individuals for rental and lodging expenses, home repair, and replacement for those who suffered damage during the April severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding.
•    Over $3 million was used to either replace or repair bridges and low water crossings destroyed or substantially damaged during the declared events.
•    $2.2 million was provided for school safe rooms throughout the state increasing the capacity to protect students, faculty/staff and residents.

In addition to providing federal funding, FEMA’s Mitigation Division has taken steps to improve the on-line resources for communities. In 2014 the Risk Communications Guidebook was updated to include the most recent information on the National Flood Insurance Program reform.

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 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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FEMA 2014 Funding for Arkansas Tops $47 Million

FEMA Offers Free Home Repair Advice

WARREN, Mich. – Residents who want to reduce the risk of property damage from storms, floods and other potential hazards have the opportunity to meet with hazard mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Mitigation specialists will be available in:

Macomb County
Lowe’s Home Improvement
31140 Van Dyke Ave.
Warren, MI 48093
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursdays through Oct. 21

Wayne County
Wal-Mart Supercenter
7555 Telegraph Road
Taylor, MI 48180
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursdays through Oct. 19

Ace Hardware Store
8544 McGraw Ave.
Detroit, MI 48210
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sundays Oct. 9-22

Home Depot
18700 Meyers Road
Detroit, MI 48235
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursdays from Oct. 10-22

Residents can get free publications to help them protect their properties against storms and flooding. Mitigation measures may help protect electrical systems, furnaces and other appliances. 

FEMA mitigation specialists will provide registration assistance for disaster applications and offer flood insurance information.

Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smart phone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362. TTY users may call
1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA is providing mitigation information in coordination with the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management Homeland Security Division, and Wayne County Emergency Management. Publications will be available in English and Spanish.

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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

 

FEMA News Desk: (586) 574-4222

EMHSD contact: Ron Leix (517) 336-6464

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FEMA Offers Free Home Repair Advice

FEMA Mitigation Teams Offer Free Rebuilding Information

WARREN, Mich. – Residents who want to reduce the risk of property damage from future storms have the opportunity to meet with mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Mitigation specialists are in Wayne County to provide rebuilding information from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. Oct. 6 through Oct. 19 at the Walmart Supercenter, 7555 Telegraph Road in Taylor. They will be available every day except Thursdays.

Residents can get free publications to help homeowners, renters and business owners protect their properties against damaging winds, floods and fires, and reduce damages from future events. Mitigation measures may help protect electrical systems, furnaces and other appliances. 

Information about how to register with FEMA for disaster assistance also will be provided.

Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via Web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). TTY users may call 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA is providing mitigation information in coordination with the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management Homeland Security Division, and Wayne County Emergency Management. Publications will be available in English and Spanish.

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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

 

FEMA/State News Desk: (586) 574-4222

EMHSD contact: Ron Leix (517) 336-6464

 

 

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FEMA Mitigation Teams Offer Free Rebuilding Information

FEMA Honors Achievement in Community Preparedness

2014 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners Announced

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the winners of the 2014 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, recognizing the outstanding efforts of individuals, programs and organizations throughout the country working to prepare their communities for emergencies.

“Strong emergency management requires teamwork, community engagement, innovation and strong relationships at all levels before disasters occur,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “This year, we recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify this approach, and I congratulate them on their dedication to make our nation stronger and safer.”

This year’s honorees developed and implemented innovative tools, programs and resources, which provided opportunities for a wide variety of stakeholders to make their communities better prepared and more resilient. Some examples include:

  • The Mississippi State University Extension Service launched the Mississippi Youth Preparedness Initiative (MyPI), a grassroots effort to train and educate approximately 3,500 teens annually about emergency preparedness.  Participating youth also completed service projects to prepare families in their communities for disaster.
  • The Delaware State Citizen Corps Council, Partnerships in Assistive Technologies, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management supported the development of smartphone apps to enhance communications between professional responders and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
  • The Smyrna Emergency Management Agency in Georgia became the nation’s first municipality to participate in America’s PrepareAthon!, conducting a community-wide tornado drill involving 200 businesses.
  • The New York City Office of Emergency Management’s Ready New York for Seniors Program conducted approximately 200 presentations to more than 8,000 older Americans living in the city.

This year’s winners of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Awards are:

  • Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives: Delaware State Citizen Corps Council (DE)  
  • Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives: MOCERT1 (Southwestern Missouri Regional CERT) (MO)
  • Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives: Albany County Citizen Corps (NY)
  • Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness: The Mississippi Youth Preparedness Initiative (MyPI) (MS)
  • Community Preparedness Heroes: Lieutenant Brian K. Rand (MA) and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) (CO)
  • Awareness to Action: Do 1 Thing (MI)
  • Technological Innovation: Partnerships in Assistive Technologies (PATHs, Inc.) (WV)
  • Survivor Empowerment and Integration: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (MA)
  • Fourth Annual Recipients of the John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award: Smyrna Emergency Management Agency (GA) and New York City Office of Emergency Management:  Ready New York for Seniors (NY)

FEMA received more than 230 applications for the Individual and Community Preparedness Awards from public, private, tribal and nonprofit organizations as well as from individuals. Leadership from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the American Red Cross, Target and FEMA selected winners from among applicants from 43 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The eleven recipients of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be recognized at a ceremony being held during National Preparedness Month in Washington, D.C. During the ceremony, recipients will share their perspectives, insights, experiences, success stories and lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders.

More information on this year’s award recipients, along with details on the honorable mentions, is available at www.ready.gov/citizen-corps/citizen-corps-awards.

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FEMA Honors Achievement in Community Preparedness

Don’t Wait Until it’s too Late: Have a Back-up Plan and Register by June 30

JACKSON, Miss. – If you sustained damage from the April 28 through May 3 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, your insurance settlement may not cover all of your expenses. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration encourage you to register for disaster assistance by Monday, June 30, 2014, as it may help cover unexpected disaster expenses that arise later.

Register for FEMA assistance and you may avoid unexpected, uncovered expenses, such as:

  • Your insurance settlement is delayed, but you need to relocate because your home is uninhabitable.
  • Damage in your home is not revealed until contractors are able to conduct a more comprehensive inspection of your home’s structure.
  • You exhaust the additional living expenses provided by your insurance company and still need help with your disaster-related temporary housing.

Not registering with FEMA may disqualify you for assistance that could help with unexpected expenses. You have until Monday, June 30, 2014, to register. Take a few minutes now to give yourself peace of mind in the future. You can register any of three ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on a mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362.) People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

If you have registered with FEMA and were referred to SBA’s disaster loan program, it’s wise to follow through and keep your options open by submitting the application before June 30.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application by the deadline include:

  • A future insurance settlement may fall short. You may find you are underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application on time, you may have loan money available when it is needed. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance may be reduced by your insurance settlement. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait until after the June 30 application deadline.
  • SBA can help renters repair or replace disaster damaged personal property. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles.
  • By submitting an SBA loan application, you keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. If you do not qualify for a loan, SBA may refer you back to FEMA for grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or cover storage expenses, among other serious disaster-related needs. But if you do not submit your disaster loan application, the assistance process may stop. You are not required to accept a loan if one is offered. 

Complete the SBA disaster loan application online at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. For more information on SBA disaster loans, go to sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at msema.org or the Facebook page at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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 public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Don’t Wait Until it’s too Late: Have a Back-up Plan and Register by June 30

Florida Survivors Have Access to a Wide Array of Disaster Services

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are working together to connect survivors to a wide array of disaster services and resources. This includes crucial help for people who are experiencing disaster-related unemployment, legal issues or stress.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster survivors who lost their jobs or those who are self-employed and have lost income as a direct result of the severe storms and flooding that took place April 28 through May 6 in parts of the Panhandle may be eligible for FEMA-funded unemployment benefits.

The state-administered disaster unemployment assistance program is available for those who lost work as a direct result of the disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment assistance.

To file a claim for disaster unemployment assistance, call 800-681-8102.

Disaster Legal Services

Assistance is available for survivors who need help with disaster-related legal issues but can’t afford a lawyer. Free legal services, including legal advice and counseling, may be provided to disaster survivors through a FEMA program administered by the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division.

To request free legal assistance, survivors can call 866-550-2929. Callers will likely get a recording, but they are urged to leave a message and they will receive a call back within two business days.

Disaster-Related Stress Help

Survivors who are experiencing stress as a result of the recent storms and flooding can call the disaster distress helpline any time at 800-985-5990. People can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

Disaster Recovery Centers

Survivors with questions about disaster assistance can also meet face to face with recovery specialistsfrom the State Emergency Response Team, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration at five disaster recovery centers in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

To locate the nearest disaster recovery center, go to FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

If possible, before visiting a center, survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA. Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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Florida Survivors Have Access to a Wide Array of Disaster Services

Federal Law Enforcement Personnel Learn New Emergency Management Skills from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute

EMMITSBURG, MD – Thirty three law enforcement officers and staff from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Justice Department’s Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) graduated from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Foundations of Emergency Management course. The law enforcement personnel acquired the basic skills and knowledge to help them meet challenges in the field of emergency management.

The Foundations of Emergency Management course (L-101) was delivered by FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) at ATF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from July 22 through August 2, 2013. The course is one of five in the National Emergency Management Academy and covers legal issues, intergovernmental and interagency context, influencing, organizing, serving the whole community, managing stress, collaboration, preparedness, team building, protection, prevention, mitigation, response, ethical decision-making, recovery, technology, administration, and the future. The course also requires prerequisite independent study courses to be completed.

“Law enforcement is an integral part of emergency management before, during and after disasters,” said EMI Superintendent Tony Russell. “Law enforcement personnel who attend EMI’s Foundations of Emergency Management course take what they learn and apply the basics of emergency management to their specific law enforcement roles in the field to help them provide better community assistance during emergencies.”

EMI and ICE signed a Memorandum of Agreement to initiate a cooperative training effort to provide courses for law enforcement officials whose positions include responsibilities in the field of emergency management during disasters.

“Law enforcement is an important part of successful emergency management and this EMI course demonstrates a true whole community approach for training and educating law enforcement personnel,” said Roberto Hylton, FEMA’s Senior Law Enforcement Advisor. “We strive to help law enforcement to be better prepared when disasters strike as they work to protect and serve the people in their communities and respond in times of national emergencies.”

The National Emergency Management Academy offers the tools for students to develop a comprehensive set of basic skills needed in emergency management. For those who are new to emergency management or transferring from another profession, this Academy provides a unique opportunity to build camaraderie and establish professional contacts. Students also learn to understand the roles, responsibilities and legal boundaries associated with emergency management.

The Academy is part of FEMA’s new Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP). The EMPP curriculum is designed to support life-long learning for emergency managers and includes the entry-level Academy; a Specialized and Technical Training program to develop specific skill sets; a Leaders Academy to develop the next generation of emergency management leaders; and an Executive Academy for federal, state, tribal and local agency officials at a senior policy and strategic level.

FEMA is linking training and career development programs to an established set of competencies through a progressive training and education system. EMI develops training objectives based on the Emergency Management competencies agreed to by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management professionals.

For more information on FEMA’s training courses and the Foundational, Leaders and Executive Academies, go to: http://training.fema.gov/empp/.

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Federal Law Enforcement Personnel Learn New Emergency Management Skills from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute

Los Angeles, San Francisco Emergency Managers Appointed to FEMA’s Post-Katrina National Advisory Council

Date:  September 26, 2012

RIX-12-11

Media Contact: FEMA News Desk Region 9 (510) 627-7006 or (626) 431-3843

Los Angeles, San Francisco Emergency Managers Appointed to FEMA’s Post-Katrina National Advisory Council
Jim Featherstone, General Manager of the Emergency Management Department of the
City of Los Angeles will Chair Council

Oakland, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the appointment of nine new members and the reappointment of one member to the FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC). Mandated by Congress in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, the mission of the NAC is to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The NAC is comprised of state, tribal and local governments, private sector, and non-governmental partners who advise and provide recommendations on a variety of issues within emergency management to the FEMA Administrator.

“The NAC has provided thoughtful guidance on a range of issues, including integrating access and functional needs in emergency planning, considering the needs of children in disaster response operations, and engaging the whole community to develop and implement the agency’s mission,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “I congratulate the new members on their appointment. This council represents the interests and expertise of the whole community and I look forward to hearing their recommendations.”

Members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator to serve for three years and represent a geographic and significant cross section of officials from emergency management and law enforcement, and include homeland security directors, adjutants general, and emergency response officers from state, local, and tribal governments, private sector, and non-governmental organizations.

Jim Featherstone, the General Manager of the Emergency Management Department of the city of Los Angeles, has been reappointed as the NAC Chair. Teresa Scott, the Director of Public Works for the city of Gainesville, Florida, has been selected to finish her second term as the Vice Chair for the NAC.

The new NAC members are:

Senator Joseph Bolkcom, Assistant Majority Leader, State Senator, Iowa State Senate
Dr. Sarita Chung, Director and Attending Physician, Disaster Preparedness Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston
Ms. Anne Kronenberg, Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
Mr. Robert Maloney, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Baltimore City, Maryland
Mr. Ken Miyagishima, Mayor, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mr. Joseph Nimmich, Director, Maritime Surveillance and Security, Raytheon Homeland Security
Mr. Thomas Powers, Vice President, Corporate Security and Safety, Iron Mountain
Mr. Earl Pat Santos, Deputy Director, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Louisiana
Lieutenant General Guy Swan, Vice President of Education and Executive Director, Institute of Land Warfare at the Association of the US Army

Additional information on the NAC, including a list of current members, can be found at http://www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

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 Region 9 on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/femaregion9

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Los Angeles, San Francisco Emergency Managers Appointed to FEMA’s Post-Katrina National Advisory Council

FEMA Disaster Workshop Brings Tribal Leaders to the Bay Area to Prepare for, Respond to, Recover from Catastrophic Events

FEMA Region 9 Media Contact: Mary Simms (510) 627-7006

 

FEMA Disaster Workshop Brings Tribal Leaders to the Bay Area to Prepare for, Respond to, Recover from Catastrophic Events
FEMA Region 9 strengthens tribal policies, relationships with hundreds of sovereign Indian Nations in California, Arizona, and Nevada

OAKLAND, Calif. —  Nearly 200 tribal leaders, emergency managers, first responders and other disaster preparedness officials, representing more than 60 tribal governments are meeting this week  in Oakland, Ca. with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials , to discuss  how to jointly  prepare for, respond to and recover from the next catastrophic disaster that could strike tribal communities with or without warning in California, Arizona or Nevada.

Regional Administrator Nancy Ward spoke at this year’s second annual Disaster Preparedness Partnership meeting along with Mark Ghilarducci, Secretary for the California Emergency Management Agency. 

“FEMA recognizes that even with the best planning, disasters are inevitable,” said Nancy Ward, FEMA Region 9 Administrator.  “This conference is one of the largest gatherings of its kind, and an excellent venue for tribal, state, and federal leaders and emergency management professionals to share success strategies and apply that knowledge to the unique issues facing our tribal partners today.”

This year’s conference will cover many pressing topics, including the Presidential Preparedness Directive (PPD- 8), tribal grants, the National Disaster Recovery Framework, “Tribes leading Tribes” mentoring program and critical infrastructure resources.  During the current fiscal year, FEMA has provided more than $6 million dollars in federal funding aimed at strengthening core tribal capacities.

Tribal governments are essential partners in building resilient communities and the federal government has a unique government-to-government relationship with federally-recognized tribal governments. 

“This is truly a wonderful collaboration,” said Mark Romero, Chairman, Executive Board, Inter Tribal Long Term Recovery Foundation.  “Especially in light of recent California wildfires it’s so critical that we all work together to establish the best emergency management practices.” 

Tribal lands in Region 9 range from small allotments of a few acres to the Navajo Nation, the largest tribal territory in the country.  More than 28% of these native homes are at or below the poverty level and face unique challenges when confronted by disasters on tribal lands.

Tribal leaders slated to speak at this week’s conference include: Don Watahomigie, Chairman of the Havasupai Tribe; Robert Holden, Deputy Executive Director for the National Congress of American Indians; Cliff Puckett, Emergency Manager for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community; Ed Naranjo, Chairman for the Goshute tribes of Nevada & Utah; LaVonne Peck, Chairwoman of the La Jolla Tribe; Gary Fredericksen, Fire Chief for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribe; Mike Chandler, Fire Commission Member for the Yocha Dehe Fire Department; Wayne Burke, Chairman, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; and Randall Vicente, Governor of the Pueblo of Acoma.

FEMA also provides no-cost training for tribal leaders, emergency planners, first responders, and others.  The following courses are offered at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland:

– Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Governments (E580) provides a basic understanding of emergency management principles and how those principles can be used to help develop and implement emergency management systems.

– Emergency Management Operations for Tribal Governments (E581) helps tribal officials develop organizational structures, operational procedures, and resources for effective emergency management operations.

– Mitigation for Tribal Officials (E344) covers FEMA’s disaster mitigation programs, tribal mitigation opportunities, and examples of mitigation success.

 

To learn more about FEMA’s tribal programs please visit:  http://www.fema.gov/tribal.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:  To request photos, attend and/or schedule an interview with a disaster expert or tribal liaison, please email your request to External Affairs Officer Mary Simms at mary.simms@fema.dhs.gov.  Please include your name, media affiliation and contact information in your request.

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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.

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FEMA Disaster Workshop Brings Tribal Leaders to the Bay Area to Prepare for, Respond to, Recover from Catastrophic Events

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

FEMA Continues to Urge Residents in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners, through the FEMA Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. and Caribbean Area Office, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac in the eastern Caribbean Sea, and have been in close coordination with Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  NOAA’s National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and tropical storm conditions are possible over these areas within 36 hours. FEMA and its federal partners urge residents of the commonwealth and territory to closely monitor the storm and to follow the direction of local officials as potential severe weather approaches.

FEMA has activated an Enhanced National Watch in Washington, DC, as well as the Regional Response Coordination Center that supports Caribbean activities, to proactively support any potential needs or requests from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Florida.  In advance of the storm, FEMA proactively deployed Incident Management Assistance Teams to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate with local officials and to support emergency managers should additional support be requested, or needed. Additionally, FEMA has liaisons in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands emergency operations centers, to further strengthen coordination. These assets supplement federal resources and personnel that are staged, year-round, at FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office and Caribbean Area Distribution Center located in Puerto Rico. 

Today, FEMA also deployed a liaison to coordinate with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  Other teams have been identified and will be mobilized as needed and requested.   FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, and supplies are also available on the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“FEMA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and remains in close contact with state, commonwealth and territorial officials in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  All residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands should be paying close attention to this storm and listening to their local officials for key updates and information,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “In addition to strong winds, tropical storms can also bring heavy rains and flooding.  Now is the time to prepare your families, homes or businesses, so if you haven’t already, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov to learn how.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting total rain accumulations of two to four inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible in parts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  FEMA urges residents in affected areas to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas. Be aware that water can rise rapidly and flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.  Don’t put yourself at risk, follow the instructions of local officials, and if they give the order to evacuate – evacuate.

As is always the case, local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so FEMA advises residents to remember to listen to the direction of their local officials, and to learn where evacuation routes and sheltering locations are located, in case evacuation orders are given.

At this time, it is still too early to know whether the storm could pose an immediate threat to the U.S. Coast.  History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor weather conditions, follow the direction of local officials, and visit Ready.gov to learn about a few simple steps they can take now to be prepared.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Originally posted here:

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

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