Five Months Remain Before Gregg County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

 

DENTON, Texas ––In five months, new flood maps for Gregg County, Texas will become effective.

Local, state and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps before Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat.  Maps are available online for review.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

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Five Months Remain Before Gregg County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

Five Months Remain Before Refugio County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas ––In five months, new flood maps for Refugio County, Texas will become effective.

Local, state and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps before Friday, Sept. 26, 2014 in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat.  Maps are available online for review.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

View original article – 

Five Months Remain Before Refugio County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

Five Months Remain Before Jackson County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

    DENTON, Texas ––In five months, new flood maps for Jackson County, Texas will become effective.

Local, state and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps before Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat.  Maps are available online for review.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

See the original article here:

Five Months Remain Before Jackson County, TX Flood Maps Become Final

$4 Million Federal Grant for Disaster Counseling

$4 Million Federal Grant for Disaster Counseling

Main Content

Release date:

April 8, 2014

Release Number:

NR-119

DENVER-Crisis counseling services will continue over the next nine months for survivors of the Colorado flooding disaster in September 2013 because of a $4 million federal grant. FEMA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration have awarded the $4,058,060 grant to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment through the 2014 Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP).  

The new grant will allow counselors to continue door-to-door services and community outreach counseling programs. Since the disaster, Colorado Spirit crisis counselors have:

  • Talked directly with 18,178 people and provided referrals and other helpful information to more than 88,000;
  • Met with nearly 1,200 individuals or families in their homes.

CCP was established by the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide mental health assistance and training activities in designated disaster areas. The program provides the following services:

  • Individual crisis counseling and group crisis counseling to help survivors understand their reactions and improve coping strategies, review their options and connect with other individuals and agencies that may assist them;
  • Development and distribution of education materials such as flyers, brochures and website information on disaster-related topics and resources;
  • Relationship building with community organizations, faith-based groups and local agencies. 

Last Updated:

April 8, 2014 – 12:56

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Colorado

Related Disaster:

Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

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$4 Million Federal Grant for Disaster Counseling

Local, State and Federal Partners Working Closely, Individually With SR 530 Slide Survivors as Recovery Continues in Washington

BOTHELL, Wash. – Local, State, and Federal partners continue working one-on-one with survivors of the State Route 530 Slide in Washington to ensure they receive all of the disaster assistance for which they may qualify.

To that end, Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – including bereavement and program area specialists – are meeting in person with survivors to learn more about their short-term and long-term needs due to the slide.

“We’re working with FEMA to quickly bring the next phase of federal and state assistance to help survivors and affected families. This aid is part of the overall resources they will need to start their long-term recovery,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin.

Federal disaster assistance was made available to individuals in Snohomish County –

including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes – on April 2 when President Obama declared a major disaster for the State of Washington.

“We are determined to provide as much personalized attention as possible here to survivors of this heart-breaking tragedy,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “Our goal is, when desired, to meet personally with each individual – whether they lost a loved one, their home or were severely impacted in some other way.”

Three Disaster Recovery Centers are open to assist survivors in Arlington, Darrington and near Oso. Local, State and Federal disaster recovery specialists are meeting face-to-face with disaster assistance applicants at the centers. Representatives of local, State and Federal agencies and nonprofits such as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the American Red Cross will be available to work directly with survivors. Representatives with the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to explain about low-interest disaster loans for qualifying homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.    

Before visiting a center, applicants are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance. Registration is possible online or by phone or mobile device. To register online, visit: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov. To register by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT, seven days a week.

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, Disaster Recovery Centers can typically provide such accommodations as: 

• Captioned telephones, which transcribe spoken words into text
• American Sign Language interpreters, available upon request
• Magnifiers and assistive listening devices
• 711-Relay or Video Relay Services

Locations and hours of operation of the centers are as follows:

Oso Fire Station (Snohomish County Fire Protection District 25 – parking lot)

21824 State Route 530 NE

Arlington, WA 98223

 

Arlington Public Works Administration-Stillaguamish Conference Room

154 West Cox Ave.

Arlington, WA 98223

 

Darrington Ranger District Office (Parking Lot)

1405 Emens Ave. North

Darrington, WA 98241

 

Hours of Operation

Opening Day (Monday, April 7) – 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

 

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 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

The Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division is responsible for administering federal disaster recovery programs on behalf of the state. The Department’s mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment, and the economy of Washington State at the region; provide trained and ready forces for state and federal missions; and provide structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.

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 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 information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

 

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Local, State and Federal Partners Working Closely, Individually With SR 530 Slide Survivors as Recovery Continues in Washington

FEMA Region III Promotes Pet Preparedness in April

PHILADELPHIA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional office in Philadelphia has kicked off the 2014 Petpared Initiative to encourage pet owners to be more resilient in the face of disasters. 

The goal of the Petpared Initiative is to increase the number of citizens who understand the hazards that are most relevant to their family and pets; know the corresponding protective actions to take, and to encourage everyone to practice a real-time action to increase their preparedness.

In support of America’s PrepareAthon!, FEMA Region III will be promoting the #Petpared Twitter Challenge that will run throughout the month of April. To participate in the challenge, pet owners should complete a preparedness action to increase their pet’s preparedness, then tweet a picture of their action using the hashtag #Petpared. Successful actions will be retweeted on May 5, 2014, National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day.

On April 17, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. EDT, FEMA Region III will coordinate the #Petpared Twitter Chat with pet experts from organizations such as the American Humane Association, ASPCA, American Red Cross, PetSmart Charities, Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, Schuylkill CART, Virginia Search and Recuse Dog Association, and others to help pet owners understand what they need to do to prepare for disasters and encourage them to take action.

There are simple steps pet owners can take to increase both their own and their pet’s preparedness. Through the use of social media platforms, pet owners will have access to the information they need through a variety of different mediums to increase their preparedness. This will also give pet owners an opportunity to engage and share their experiences with the pet community.

Having a pet emergency supply kit is just one way to prepare; there are also simple steps you can take now to be prepared for all hazards such as developing a family emergency plan, having an emergency supply kit ready to go, and learning about your risks. Other resources to prepare your pet and your family for disasters are available at Ready.gov/caring-animals.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

Media Contact: FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or 215-931-5597

Originally posted here:

FEMA Region III Promotes Pet Preparedness in April

FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, New Jersey

LINCROFT, N.J. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released Preliminary Work Maps for Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, NJ that reflect the latest refinements to the ongoing analysis of coastal flood hazards.

The release of the Preliminary Work Maps is the next step in the coastal Flood Insurance Study update. This is extremely important as we work in partnership with the State of New Jersey to support sustainable disaster resilient communities; and to avoid or reduce the loss of life, loss of property, and financial impacts of coastal flood hazards.

The Preliminary Work Maps are an interim step in the process of developing preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). This information will replace the Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps, where applicable, that were made available to coastal counties in New Jersey as the best available data for rebuilding and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
As compared to the effective FIRMs for New Jersey, the Preliminary Work Maps show that the majority of areas will see increases in the floodplain and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs); however, some areas may see decreases.  These changes are due primarily to more precise ground elevation data and more detailed analysis.

FEMA encourages communities to use this information in instances where BFEs have increased and/or new Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the Preliminary Work Maps. This will help community members make decisions to reduce their flood risk until the preliminary FIRMs become effective.

Please visit www.Region2Coastal.com for more information on the Preliminary Work Maps.  For more information on New Jersey’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNJ, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

See original article here: 

FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, New Jersey

The FEMA and State Public Assistance Funding Process

DENVER — FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides assistance to state agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofits.

When flooding struck Colorado in September 2013, emergency life-saving measures and debris cleanup were the most immediate needs. This emergency work is usually the first to be reimbursed.

Later, in the recovery phase, more permanent repair work gets underway. Roads and bridges are repaired or replaced; major utilities and other infrastructure are brought back on line.

FEMA determines eligibility, conducts environmental and historic preservation review, approves projects and obligates the federal share or 75 percent of the project cost. FEMA obligates funds to the state, which reviews receipts and other documentation to make sure the job is done well and taxpayer money is well spent.

In Colorado, local governments and the state each pay 12.5 percent of the remaining project costs but private nonprofits pay all of the remaining 25 percent. For state agencies, the cost share depends on the category of work.

  • For small projects (up to $67,500 for this disaster), an initial payment is made based on the estimate and the state reimbursement process is as follows:
    • Once a Project Worksheet is approved and obligated by FEMA, the state makes an initial payment for the entire amount of the federal share and one-half of the state share. Once the state receives a completed and signed certificate of completion from the subgrantee, the state will pay the remaining half of its share.
  • For large projects ($67,500 or more for this disaster), reimbursement is made on documented actual costs and the state reimbursement process requires additional documentation:
    • The state sends a grant agreement to the subgrantee for signature by an authorized official, who then must mail two signed hard copies back to the state.
  • After the agreement is executed by Division and Department Controller, one hard copy is mailed back to the subgrantee.
  • As work is completed the subgrantee requests reimbursement from the state. The state will review documentation (invoices, receipts, labor records, equipment records, contracts) to substantiate costs included in the reimbursement requests and make payments for documented and eligible costs. The last 10 percent is paid upon project closeout.
  • The state also agrees to reimburse a subgrantee from an unpaid invoice to help maintain its cash flow needs.
  • To help applicants understand the Public Assistance document process, the State of Colorado created a Public Assistance Technical Guidance and emailed it to each subgrantee. It includes information on the reimbursement process as well as grants management requirements. The guidance document and forms can be downloaded from corecovers.info.
  • Questions about the process used by the state for disbursing funds to applicants should be addressed to Scott Baldwin, State Public Assistance Group Supervisor, at Scott.Baldwin@state.co.us.

More here: 

The FEMA and State Public Assistance Funding Process

FEMA Launches New Initiative to Increase Preparedness, Community Resilience Following Disasters; FEMA hosts April 1 workshop in Oakland with local…

For Immediate Release:  March 28, 2014
Media Contact:  Mary Simms, mary.simms@fema.dhs.gov, 510-627-7006 or
Kelly Hudson, kelly.hudson@fema.dhs.gov, 510-207-4011

FEMA Launches New Initiative to Increase Preparedness,
Community Resilience Following Disasters
FEMA hosts April 1 workshop in Oakland with local leaders from San Francisco Bay Area

Oakland, Calif., — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invites you to join us for the 1st ever FEMA Region 9 Whole Community Workshop in Oakland, Calif., on April 1, 2014.  The event will provide representatives of the public, private and non–profit worlds the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and participate in preparedness activities they could then share with their respective communities.  The panelists will share their stories on how to improve community resilience before a disaster strikes.

Weather-related disasters in the United States continue to increase in size, frequency and impact, and experience repeatedly demonstrates that communities are better prepared to withstand an emergency and recover more quickly when everyone is involved.   The workshop is being held as part of a new initiative, America’s PrepareAthon!, a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience.

FEMA’s Acting Regional Administrator Karen Armes will be joined by preparedness partners from the Bay Area and greater Region 9 area.  The workshop will include a presentation from San Francisco’s Daniel Homsey, Director of Neighborhood Resilience, to discuss San Francisco’s Empowered Communities Program, Building Resilient Cities One Neighborhood at a Time.  Divya Saini, a FEMA Region 9 Youth Member from Palo Alto, Calif., will also discuss local preparedness engagement strategies and activities.

The Emmy award-nominated documentary, “A Village Called Versailles” by San Francisco based documentary filmmaker Leo Chiang will also be screened during the workshop.

Twice yearly through drills, group discussions and exercises America’s PrepareAthon! will provide a national backdrop for individuals, organizations and communities to prepare for local hazards, and practice actions to stay safe.

The goals of America’s PrepareAthon! are to increase the number of citizens who:
• Understand the hazards most relevant to their community;
• Know the corresponding action to stay safe;
• Practice a real-time behavior to increase their preparedness; and
• Contribute to increased whole-community preparedness planning

WHEN:                            Tuesday April 1st, 2014 – 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM*
*Please RSVP to the listed media contacts to request an agenda and media access in advance.
WHERE:                          FEMA Region 9 – 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607
COST:                             Free

Members of the media:  Please email Mary Simms at mary.simms@fema.dhs.gov or Kelly Hudson at Kelly.hudson@fema.dhs.gov for additional details and to coordinate attendance and interview requests in advance.
Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femaregion9.

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FEMA Launches New Initiative to Increase Preparedness, Community Resilience Following Disasters; FEMA hosts April 1 workshop in Oakland with local…

FEMA: Capstone 2014 National Exercise Begins

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and its partners begin the Capstone 2014 national exercise to test, assess and improve the nation’s preparedness and resilience from catastrophic disasters.

The Capstone 2014 exercise examines the core capabilities described in the National Preparedness Goal. This multi-event design recognizes the need for comprehensive all-hazards planning and the complexity to ensure exercise objectives are met.  Capstone 2014 is a complex emergency preparedness exercise comprised of five distinct, but linked, component events. This year’s exercise components include Alaska Shield, Ardent Sentry 14, Nuclear Weapon Accident/Incident Exercise, Eagle Horizon, and Silver Phoenix. 

“In order to be ready for disasters, as a nation, we have to practice how we would respond,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “In Capstone 2014, FEMA joins state, tribal and local government, along with our partners in the non-profit, faith-based and private sectors to test and assess our joint preparedness for a disaster. Preparedness is a team effort, and every family and business can take steps to be ready for disasters by learning your risks, making a plan, and having a kit. Visit www.ready.gov to learn easy steps on how to prepare and take action.”

By congressional mandate, these exercises—formerly known as National Level Exercises and the Top Officials exercises— represent the culmination of a two-year cycle and are designed to educate and prepare participants for potential catastrophic events. These exercises are facilitated by FEMA’s National Exercise Division.

The exercise is national in scope with the goal of fostering coordination and building relationships prior to an incident occurring. Each exercise cycle varies from drills to functional assessments, and it challenges participants from all levels of government, non-governmental and private sector organizations and other organizations representing the whole community.

Various aspects of local, state, federal, non-governmental, private sector and other whole community organizations will be tested by the exercise, including the emergency response to mass casualties from the earthquake, resulting infrastructure, communication and coordination challenges and the tangential element of hazardous materials spills.

Among the exercises and participants are the following:

  • Alaska Shield: FEMA and state emergency management agencies, including Alaska, will commemorate the anniversary of the 1964 9.2 magnitude Great Alaskan Earthquake, with an exercise that tests response and mass casualty care.
  • Ardent Sentry 14:  In conjunction with Alaska Shield and other exercises during the period, the Department of Defense will exercise its Defense Support to Civilian Authorities’ mission.
  • Nuclear Weapon Accident/Incident Exercise: The Department of Energy will participate in the exercise with a scenario that tests response and recovery following an accident during secure transport convoy of nuclear weapons.
  • Eagle Horizon 2014: During this exercise, many federal departments and agencies will activate their continuity of operations and reconstitution planning to test their continuity plans and ensure that primary mission essential functions can take place from alternate facilities.
  • Silver Phoenix 2014: This exercise explores challenges associated with examining, prioritizing, and conducting recovery activities involving multiple geographically-dispersed and competing events using the National Disaster Recovery Framework.

For more information on these exercises, visit www.fema.gov/national-level-exercise. Learn more about earthquake preparedness at Ready.gov/earthquakes. 

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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. 

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.

See original article here – 

FEMA: Capstone 2014 National Exercise Begins

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