major - femacontract.com

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Card Street Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Card Street Fire, burning in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Card Street Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on June 16, 2015 at 4:54 p.m. AKDT. This is the second FMAG approved in Alaska this fire season.

The fire started on June 15, 2015, and has burned approximately 840 acres of private and state land.

At the time of the request, the fire had burned 10 structures of which 3 were primary homes. Additional losses included 2 large structures, and 5 outbuildings. The fire was threatening 300+ homes of which 200 were primary in and around the Kenai Keys. Approximately 300 people have evacuated the area and preparations are being made for more evacuations. Sheltering operations are ongoing with two currently open hosting 50 local residents and an unknown number of tourists.

Firefighting resources onsite include 12 engines, 2-crews, and additional assets ordered from out-of-state. The Federal Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is currently 5 percent contained. There are 28 uncontrolled fires within the state which has burned over 70,000 acres to date.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the State of Alaska’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners 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.

This article is from:

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Card Street Fire

FEMA Launches Innovative National Volunteer Program to Enhance Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts Nationwide

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with seven technology organizations to provide state, local, tribal and territorial governments with technology resources during a disaster to expedite response and recovery. Cisco Systems, Google, Humanity Road, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, Intel, Joint Communications Task Force and Microsoft have joined FEMA’s new Tech Corps program – a nationwide network of skilled, trained technology volunteers who can address critical technology gaps during a disaster.

During major disasters or emergencies, trained technology volunteers can complement ongoing response and recovery efforts, including installing temporary networks; enabling internet connectivity, and telephone, and radio communications; and providing other support, such as geographic information system (GIS) capacity, coding, and data analytics. In 2002, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) proposed a mechanism of leveraging private sector technology capabilities to innovate the way federal, state, local and tribal governments respond to disasters. Tech Corps is based on this model, which was developed beginning in 2013 to assemble the initial group of companies for the voluntary program.

“When disaster strikes, we all have a role to play in helping survivors recover, and that includes the private sector,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Tech Corps volunteers will bring a vital skill set to our emergency management team to help the survivors we serve recover more quickly after disasters. We’re grateful to Senator Wyden and the private sector for contributing to this effort and we look forward to partnering with them to make communities stronger and safer.”

“Tech Corps harnesses a deep well of technical expertise and private-sector manpower to make sure every resource is available immediately when disaster strikes,” said Senator Wyden. “Information technology is often critical to saving lives, and this program ensures that red tape won’t stand in the way of volunteer experts who can stand up temporary cell networks and Wi-Fi solutions that are so important in disaster areas. I’m hopeful today’s partners are the first of many to sign up to work hand-in-hand with emergency responders to help craft more resilient and effective responses to future disasters.”

Already, Tech Corps partners have been active on their own during national and global technology disaster response efforts, including providing support during Hurricane Sandy and the earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti. This initiative signifies a greater level of coordination between volunteers and the emergency management community through FEMA.

To learn more about Tech Corps, please visit: fema.gov/tech-corps.

###

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.

Continue at source –

FEMA Launches Innovative National Volunteer Program to Enhance Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts Nationwide

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Sockeye Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Sockeye Fire, burning in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Sockeye Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on June 15, 2015 at 6:37 p.m. AKDT.

The fire started on June 14, 2015, and has burned approximately 6,500 acres of private and state land. At the time of the request, the fire had burned 25 homes and was threatening 893 primary homes in and around the town of Willow. Approximately 1700 people had evacuated the area. Sheltering operations have been ongoing and have had to relocate 3 times because of the dynamics of this fire. The Park Highway, local roads and bridges were closed and threatened.

Firefighting resources include a Type 1 Incident Management Team, 5 Hot Spot Crews, 10 Helicopters, 1 Air Tanker, 2 Engine Task Forces to support fire suppression activities. The Federal Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is currently 0 percent contained. There are 24 other fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

Link to original:

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Sockeye Fire

What to Expect from a FEMA Inspection

After you register for assistance, an inspector from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will call you for an appointment to inspect your damaged property.

Q. Why is the inspector there?
A. Verifying disaster damage is part of the process to establish the amount and type of damage you suffered. The inspectors have construction backgrounds and are fully qualified to do the job.

Q. How do I know the Inspector is from FEMA?
A. You should ask to see the inspector’s identification. All FEMA housing inspectors will have a FEMA badge displayed. Also, each disaster survivor is provided a unique FEMA registration number when they register for assistance. The inspector will know your FEMA registration number.

If you have concerns with the legitimacy of a FEMA housing inspector, you should contact your local law enforcement as they will be able to validate their identification.

Q. What does the inspector look for?
A. The inspector determines whether the house is livable by checking the structure, including heating, plumbing, electrical, flooring, wallboard, and foundation.

Q. How about personal property?
A. Damage to major appliances – washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove – is assessed. Other serious needs such as clothing lost or damaged in the disaster are surveyed.

Q. Do I need to have any paperwork on hand?
A. Some evidence that the property is your usual residence or evidence that you own the property will be required. It might be a recent utility bill, mortgage payment record, or rent receipts.

Q. Will I find out the results of the inspection?
A. If you are eligible for assistance, you will receive a check in the mail. You will be notified by letter if you are not eligible. You have 60 days to appeal the decision, and the appeal process is outlined in the letter.

Q. What other inspections should I expect?
A. Depending on the types of assistance for which you may be eligible, your losses may be verified by FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and your local building inspector’s office.

Source:

What to Expect from a FEMA Inspection

Nine More Counties in Oklahoma Now Approved to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

Oklahoma City – A June 9 amendment to the major disaster declaration for Oklahoma following the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring May 5 to June 4 now includes Public Assistance (PA) funding for nine additional counties, or 25 counties in all.

Today’s amendment added Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Coal, Le Flore, Love, Murray, Okmulgee and Pottawatomie counties to the declaration making them eligible for dollars to help repair or rebuild public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems, utilities and public buildings such as schools. A previous amendment designated Atoka, Bryan, Cleveland, Cotton, Grady, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, McClain, Okfuskee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Seminole, Stephens and Tillman as eligible to receive Public Assistance funding.

Types of entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

Local governments and special districts;
Certain private nonprofit organizations or institutions that conduct activities of a governmental nature and are open to the general public;
Federally recognized tribes; and
State government agencies.

The declaration also includes 13 counties – Atoka, Bryan, Comanche, Cleveland, Grady, Johnston, Kiowa, Le Flore, McClain, McCurtain, Oklahoma, Pittsburg and Pottawatomie – for Individual Assistance, or assistance to help survivors get back on their feet after the severe weather.

Individuals in the designated counties are encouraged to register for federal disaster assistance. You can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY)

1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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

###

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

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

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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

View post:

Nine More Counties in Oklahoma Now Approved to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Major Disaster declaration for the South Napa earthquake will also include the Individuals and Households Program under the Stafford Act. This amendment makes assistance available to help homeowners and renters recover from the earthquake.

“This is a very welcome announcement for those individuals that had their daily lives changed by this earthquake,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “Additional federal resources like this program will be a huge help to everyone impacted, especially those struggling with major damages and limited personal resources.”

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and local, state and Congressional officials requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration as damages caused by the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that shook through most of Northern California mounted. In response, President Barack Obama declared a Major Disaster on Sept. 11. The Major Disaster Declaration allowed for public assistance to be available to state, tribal and eligible governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged during the earthquake. The Individuals and Households Program will provide assistance to residents in Napa and Solano Counties.

“We are glad to be able to assist individual households as well as state and local governments in recovering from this earthquake,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen De Blasio. “We ask those Californians who sustained earthquake damage to get registered as quickly as possible.”

Gov. Brown declared a State of Emergency shortly after the earthquake, whose epicenter was near American Canyon and the City of Napa, and issued an executive order to provide additional financial assistance to local agencies and non-profit organizations.

Individuals who are interested in finding out more information about eligibility for the Individual and Households Program should call or register at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

###

View the original here:

Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

More New Mexico Counties and a Pueblo added to Oct. 6 Federal Disaster Declaration for Summer Floods

SANTA FE – An amendment to the October 6 major disaster declaration for New Mexico adds public assistance funding eligibility to three additional counties and a pueblo following the severe storms and flooding that impacted the state from July 27 – August 5.

This amendment adds Lincoln, Otero and Sandoval counties and the Santa Clara Pueblo for both emergency and permanent work categories according to officials from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NMDHSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“The state applauds the teamwork that went into ensuring that we quickly added these counties and the pueblo to the original declaration,” said State Coordinating Officer Anita Statman.

“We continue to be committed to ensuring reimbursements are made quickly to these new applicants and the entities named in the original declaration,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper.

Under the Public Assistance Program, emergency work may include debris removal and emergency protective measures, while permanent work may include repairs to road systems, bridges, water control facilities and public buildings, contents and utilities, and repairs to parks and recreational facilities.

Entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

State agencies;
Tribal governments;
Local government entities;
Ditch associations; and
Certain private nonprofit organizations.

Three counties, Guadalupe, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel, and the Pueblo of Acoma were previously made eligible under the October 6 declaration.

###

More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/. DHSEM is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

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. Find information on this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4197.

Link to article:

More New Mexico Counties and a Pueblo added to Oct. 6 Federal Disaster Declaration for Summer Floods

Preparation is Key to Dealing with Winter Weather

With the winter season approaching, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds individuals to be prepared for winter storms and extreme cold. While the danger of severe winter weather varies across the country, everyone can benefit by taking a few easy steps now to prepare for emergencies. A first step, regardless of where you live, is to visit the Ready.gov website to find preparedness ideas you can use all year long.

“In our part of the country we make the most of winter,” said FEMA Region VIII Acting Administrator Tony Russell. “However, severe storms and blizzards can create major problems and residents need to take winter weather seriously by taking appropriate steps to prepare.”

Severe winter weather can include snow or subfreezing temperatures, strong winds and ice or heavy rain storms. An emergency supply kit both at home and in the car will help prepare you and your family for winter power outages and icy or impassable roads.

Both kits should include a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. In addition, your home kit should include a three day supply of food and water. Thoroughly check and update your family’s emergency supply kit and add the following supplies in preparation for winter weather:

Rock salt to melt ice on walkways,
Sand to improve traction on driveways and sidewalks,
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment,
And adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm.

When traveling in winter weather conditions, be sure to contact someone both before your departure and when you safely arrive. Always travel with a cell phone and ensure the battery is charged so you can contact someone in the case of a road emergency. If dangerous conditions are forecast, it’s often best to delay travel plans.

Finally, make sure to familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a winter storm hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe a winter storm hazard include the following:

Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.

For more information and winter preparedness tips, please visit: www.ready.gov/winter-weather or www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/ or www.fema.gov/about-region-viii/winter-weather-readiness.

Visit site:

Preparation is Key to Dealing with Winter Weather

More than $3.6 Million in Disaster Aid Approved for June Storms

SIOUX FALLS, SD – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that more than $3.6 million in federal disaster aid has been approved to help communities in twelve counties and two tribal nations in South Dakota recover from a series of June storms. Those storms produced a tornado that struck Wessington Springs along with heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in western, north central and southeast South Dakota.

According to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley, “This figure represents only the first round of approved projects. We hope to have all applicants’ projects reviewed and approved by mid-November. While the final dollar total will change as we gather more information, it appears total Federal assistance will be greater than the $6.1 million originally estimated by the time all the projects are reviewed.” FEMA reimburses applicants not less than 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects and the State of South Dakota provides an additional ten percent cost share.

The disaster funds reimburse applicants for a variety of disaster recovery costs such as emergency work, removal of storm related debris, road and bridge repair and the restoration of electrical utilities. To date 89 applicants including city, county and tribal governments, state agencies and some private non-profits are working with FEMA and the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SDOEM) to document their eligible disaster related costs.

On July 28, 2014 President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state making Butte, Clay, Corson, Dewey, Hanson, Jerauld, Lincoln, Minnehaha, Perkins, Turner, Union and Ziebach counties and the Cheyenne River Sioux and Standing Rock Sioux tribal nations eligible for federal disaster aid. The presidential declaration came in response to a request from Governor Dennis Daugaard following a series of storms that hit the state in mid-June.

The Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.

Continued:

More than $3.6 Million in Disaster Aid Approved for June Storms

FEMA Awards $2.35 Million in Disaster Funds for Okanogan County PUD

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded more than $2.35 million to the state of Washington to help pay for disaster-related repair costs of the Okanogan County Public Utilities District (PUD).

Under its Public Assistance (PA) program, FEMA funding helps eligible tribes, state agencies, local governments and certain nonprofits pay for the approved cost for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. FEMA provides 75 percent of these costs, while non-federal sources pay for the remainder.

On Aug. 11, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration that authorized FEMA to coordinate federal disaster relief to help the state recover from the Carlton Complex Fire that occurred between July 9 and Aug. 5. The disaster declaration covers Kittitas County, Okanogan County and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

The $2.35 million award will help reimburse the Okanogan County PUD for the repair of 280,000 linear feet—more than 53 miles—of fiber optic cable and associated infrastructure damaged by the wildfires. Its fiber optic network backbone provides a wide variety of data services and stretches from the Columbia River junction in Brewster to the Canadian border.

For more information about this disaster—including the total dollar amount of PA grants—click on Washington Wildfires, or go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4188.

Visit link –

FEMA Awards $2.35 Million in Disaster Funds for Okanogan County PUD

Page 7 of 24 « First ... « 5 6 7 8 9 » ... Last »