NEW YORK — The regional volunteer firefighting alliance in Berlin Borough and Berlin Township is currently operating with obsolete, 14-year-old safety equipment that is out of compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards. 

The items to be replaced are self-contained breathing apparatuses at Berlin firehouses in both the Borough and Township.  The Borough’s Fire Chief, William Behnke, and the Township’s Fire Chief, Joseph Jackson, Jr., say that the combined 47 SCBAs at both facilities have been subject to wear and tear over 14 to 15 years and “numerous documented failures.” 

But thanks to an Assistance to Firefighters Grant totaling nearly $280,000.00 effective May 20, the two firehouses will be receiving 47 new SCBAs, each of which will consist of a harness/backpack, a face piece, and two breathing cylinders. 

Chief Behnke reports that the two firehouses conducted a joint needs assessment and concluded that “replacing our old, obsolete, non-compliant, and failing SCBA is the highest priority for improving firefighter safety and operations in the region.”

Unlike the worn-out gear it will replace, the new equipment will be compatible with that used by neighboring firehouses. It will allow firefighters to communicate with each other, display the amount of cylinder air available, and provide access to “rapid intervention teams,” which rescue trapped firefighters. The equipment also has other technological features enhancing safety.

The total grant amounts to $293,750.00 with $13,988.00 being contributed locally.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the AFG program. Dale McShine, director of FEMA’s Region II Grants and National Preparedness Division, said she is pleased that the new equipment will have such a positive impact on the firefighters’ personal well-being.  “If they’re not safe, their ability to protect residents is also at risk.”

Located in southwestern New Jersey, and with a population of some 16,000 residents, Berlin Borough responded to 854 alarms last year, while the Township answered 806.

Berlin Mayor James Bilella says that this grant is “truly significant to a small town like ours because it allows us to serve our population effectively.”  He added, “Our volunteer first responders need updated, modern equipment to do their jobs safely.”   

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Region II Branch Chief for grants, reports that in fiscal year 2014, the Region awarded 273 AFG awards totaling $95.6 million.

Original article: 

Berlin, NJ Firefighters to Receive New Personal Safety Equipment – Federal Grant will Fund Purchase

Baton Rouge, La. —

Los sobrevivientes de la parroquia de Vernon que están reconstruyendo después de las severas inundaciones y tormentas de marzo, ahora pueden recibir asesoramiento gratuito de los especialistas de mitigación de riesgos de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés). Los representantes estarán en la tienda Lowe’s Home Improvement en Leesville, comenzando el martes 26 de abril hasta el sábado 30 de abril.

Los especialistas en mitigación pueden responder preguntas sobre cómo proteger las viviendas contra daños futuros relacionados con desastres, y ofrecer sugerencias y técnicas para construir viviendas resistentes al peligro. La mayor parte de la información y de las publicaciones gratuitas disponibles están dirigidas a los sobrevivientes que realizan las reparaciones por sí mismos y para contratistas en general.

Los temas sobre la recuperación incluyen la reparación de techos y la reconstrucción de viviendas inundadas.

La tienda está localizada en:

Lowe’s Home Improvement
2200 Mcrae St.
Leesville, La.

Las estaciones sobre mitigación abrirán comenzando el martes 26 de abril a sábado 30 de abril, de 9 a.m. a 6:30 p.m.

Los sobrevivientes pueden inscribirse en línea visitando DisasterAssistance.gov/es. También pueden llamar al 800-621-3362 ó (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362.

Las líneas telefónicas gratuitas operan de 7 a.m. a 10 p.m., siete días a la semana.

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Los alentamos a que continúe con precaución en áreas donde haya todavía áreas inundadas. Siga los pasos de DOTD en su página web www.511la.org para obtener la información más reciente sobre el cierre de caminos. Esté atento a los comunicados de advertencia de sus autoridades locales y de los gerentes del manejo de emergencias. Usted puede encontrar información actualizada en la página de respuesta del estado en www.emergency.la.gov. También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

La asistencia para la recuperación por desastre está disponible sin tomar en consideración raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o nivel económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para llamar al TTY use 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de socorristas para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad para prepararnos, protegernos, dar respuesta, recuperarnos y mitigar todos los peligros. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, por sus siglas en inglés) es el recurso primario de fondos del gobierno federal para reconstruir a largo plazo la propiedad privada dañada por los desastres. El SBA ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños y privados, organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar la reparación o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubrir los costos de reemplazo por la pérdida o daño causado por el desastre a la propiedad personal. Estos préstamos por el desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica los beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para mayor información, los solicitantes deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la Asistencia por Desastre de SBA llamando al (800) 659-2955, por correo electrónico

disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, o al visitar la página web de SBA en www.sba.gov/disaster. Para personas con problemas auditivos o del habla, llamar al (800) 877-8339.

Original link:

Sobrevivientes del desastre en la parroquia de Vernon pueden recibir consejos de FEMA para la reconstrucción en tienda de mejoras al hogar

BATON ROUGE, La. – Un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) abrirá el domingo 17 de abril, en Sicily Island, Parroquia de Catahoula, para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de las inundaciones en Louisiana. El centro abre de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., lunes a sábado y de 12:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. los domingos.

  El DRC estará localizado en la siguiente dirección:

Old Martin Junior High School
825 Highway 8
Sicily Island, La.

Los sobrevivientes pueden visitar la página web http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm para encontrar el centro más cercano, o pueden llamar al 800-621-3362.

Representantes de la Oficina del Gobernador de Seguridad Nacional y Preparación para Emergencias, la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias, la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los EE.UU. (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés), grupos voluntarios y otras agencias están en los centros para contestar preguntas relacionadas con la asistencia por desastre y los préstamos por desastre a bajo interés para dueños de vivienda, inquilinos y negocios. Ellos pueden también ayudar a los sobrevivientes a solicitar la asistencia por desastre federal.

Los Equipos de Asistencia a Sobrevivientes del Desastre (DSAT) están visitando las parroquias designadas y pueden ayudar a las personas a inscribirse con FEMA. Muchas veces los puede encontrar en lugares convenientes para su comunidad, como bibliotecas y la oficina del alcalde. Cuando los residentes requieren ayuda adicional, los equipos pueden referirlos al DRC más cercano.

No es necesario visitar un centro para inscribirse y recibir la asistencia por desastre federal. Si es posible, los sobrevivientes deben inscribirse con FEMA antes de visitar un centro de recuperación.

Para inscribirse por Internet, vaya a DisasterAssistance.gov/es o llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Hay ayuda disponible en la mayoría de los idiomas y las líneas telefónicas operan de 7:00 a.m. a 10:00 p.m. siete días a la semana, hasta nuevo aviso.

Los sobrevivientes de desastre que son sordos, que tienen problemas de audición o del habla y que usan TTY pueden llamar al 800-462-7585 para inscribirse. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés) o requieren algún servicio particular mientras visitan un centro pueden llamar al 800-621-3362. Todos los centros de recuperación por desastre son accesibles y están equipados con herramientas de comunicación para sobrevivientes de desastres con discapacidades. Para reunirse con un intérprete de Lenguaje de Señas Americano (ASL, por sus siglas en inglés) en los centros, llame al 225-382-1739 (servicio solamente disponible en inglés).

Hay préstamos por desastre a bajo interés de la SBA disponibles a negocios de todos tamaños, incluyendo arrendadores, además de organizaciones privadas sin fines de lucro, propietarios de viviendas e inquilinos. Los préstamos por desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas totalmente por el seguro u otros fondos de asistencia.

Para más información, los solicitantes pueden ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de SBA llamando al 800-659-2955, enviando un correo electrónico a DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov o visitando la página web del SBA en sba.gov/disaster. Las personas sordas y con problemas de audición pueden llamar al 800-877-8339.

Para mayor información llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362 o vaya en línea a www.DisasterAssistance.gov/es o www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4263.

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Los alentamos a que continúe con precaución en áreas donde haya todavía áreas inundadas. Siga los pasos de DOTD en su página web www.511la.org para obtener la información más reciente sobre el cierre de caminos. Esté atento a los comunicados de advertencia de sus autoridades locales y de los gerentes del manejo de emergencias. Usted puede encontrar información actualizada en la página de respuesta del estado en www.emergency.la.gov. También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

La asistencia para la recuperación por desastre está disponible sin tomar en consideración raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o nivel económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para llamar al TTY use 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de socorristas para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad para prepararnos, protegernos, dar respuesta, recuperarnos y mitigar todos los peligros. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) es el recurso primario de fondos del gobierno federal para reconstruir a largo plazo la propiedad privada dañada por los desastres. El SBA ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños y privados, organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar la reparación o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubrir los costos de reemplazo por la pérdida o daño causado por el desastre a la propiedad personal. Estos préstamos por el desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica los beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para mayor información, los solicitantes deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la Asistencia por Desastre de SBA llamando al (800) 659-2955, por correo electrónico

disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, o al visitar la página web de SBA en www.sba.gov/disaster. Para personas con problemas auditivos o del habla, llamar al (800) 877-8339.

Read the article: 

Centro de recuperación por desastre abre en Sicily Island para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de Louisiana

SAIPAN, CNMI –  CNMI is providing a new, fifth free faxing location at The Aging Center in Garapan for Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan who need to get documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The updated list currently stands at five and includes the following locations:

Saipan Mayor’s Office

Beach Road, Chalan Laulau

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E, TSL Plaza

Beach Road, Garapan

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E Customer Service

Middle Road, Chalan Laulau

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

Joeten – Kiyu Public Library

Beach Road, Susupe

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Tues-Fri; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturdays

 

The Aging Center

Sugar King Road, Garapan

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

FEMA applicants faxing documents will be doing so to a toll-free number, and these locations will not charge them anything to use their fax machines.

Continue at source:

CNMI provides fifth free fax option for Soudelor survivors

Eatontown, N.J. — When it comes to destruction, disasters like Superstorm Sandy don’t discriminate:  historic structures and environmentally sensitive areas that lie in the path of a storm are in just as much peril as less significant sites.

But when a historic structure or ecologically fragile area is damaged in a disaster, particular care must be taken to ensure that any repair or remediation that must take place is done in accordance with historic and environmental regulations.

To accomplish that, state, county and local officials in the impacted area are able to draw on the support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Specialists.

The EHP cadre plays a critical role in helping municipalities and agencies understand the importance of compliance with environmental and cultural regulations so they may make informed planning decisions.

A view of the damaged Liberty State Park pedestrian bridge

The Liberty State Park pedestrian bridge was destroyed in Sandy.

EHP provides expertise and technical assistance to FEMA staff, local, state and federal partners and applicants who are tasked with the challenge of preserving historic, cultural and natural aspects of our national heritage. They help applicants understand what is required under the law and how best to meet those requirements.

At Liberty State Park, which is adjacent to Jersey City, Superstorm Sandy destroyed a popular pedestrian bridge that provided access to the park for walkers and cyclists in the Jersey City area.

With the help of specialists from FEMA’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Department, city officials acted quickly to develop a plan for reconstructing the bridge.

The city applied for a FEMA Public Assistance grant which, if the project was approved, would reimburse the city for most of the reconstruction costs.

Because the original bridge traversed environmentally sensitive wetlands, it was important that any new construction be environmentally acceptable and that it occupy the same footprint as the previous bridge.

The park, an oasis of green space adjacent to the bustle of Jersey City, offers recreational facilities, a science museum, and several historic sites including the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal where new immigrants arriving from Ellis Island boarded the trains that would take them to new lives across America.

The park is also the site of a memorial honoring those who died in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, titled Empty Sky. It is the most heavily visited park in the state.

Located just across the river from lower Manhattan, Liberty State Park also played a critical role following the attacks of 9/11 as a staging area for first responders.

With so many reasons for area residents to visit the park, restoring access via the pedestrian bridge was a priority for Jersey City officials.

The cost of replacing the 120-foot-long, 10-foot-wide bridge replacement project was estimated at $834,600. Jersey City’s Assistant City Engineer Jeff Reeves chose a pre-fabricated bridge that could be lifted onto the foundation via a crane. The pre-made span cost $160,000.

Restoring the foundation cost an additional $650,000, which included the demolition of the remnants of the original bridge and the installation of necessary components such as foundation “riprap.”

The final cost for reconstruction of the foundation and replacement of the pedestrian bridge came in under budget at $755,642 which represents the 90% federal share of the total cost.

A view of the newly constructed bridge

The new Ethel Pesin Liberty Footbridge

Because the total cost of disaster recovery in New Jersey exceeded a benchmark set by the federal government according to a specific formula, the federal share of the cost of the bridge replacement was increased to 90 percent with the remaining 10 percent borne by the state and the City of Jersey City.

On June 20, 2013, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy dedicated the new bridge, which has been officially named the “Ethel Pesin Liberty Footbridge” in memory of the woman who, with her husband, Morris, worked tirelessly to  establish the park. A community leader and founding trustee of the Friends of Liberty State Park, Pesin died early in 2013.

“We know how important this piece of infrastructure is to our residents, and that is why we worked with OEM and our engineering staff to find a way to expedite the replacement of the Jersey Avenue footbridge,” the mayor said.

Today, walkers and cyclists are again able to enjoy the recreational facilities at Liberty State Park and visit the park’s historic sites via the Jersey Avenue Bridge.

And because of the teamwork between state and local officials and FEMA’s EHP experts, the environmentally sensitive wetlands that surround the bridge have been protected.

Please be sure to watch the video titled, “Apr 17, 2013 Liberty State Park – A Gift Worth Saving” at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/82646

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.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, 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.”

Source article: 

Bridging a Link to History at Liberty State Park

SAIPAN, CNMI – Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan who need to get documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency have several places where they can do so free of charge.

When the joint CNMI/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Susupe closed earlier this month, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands began arranging locations that would provide this service to survivors. That list currently stands at four:

Saipan Mayor’s Office

Beach Road, Chalan Laulau

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E, TSL Plaza

Beach Road, Garapan

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E Customer Service

Middle Road, Chalan Laulau

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

Joeten – Kiyu Public Library

Beach Road, Susupe

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

FEMA applicants faxing documents will be doing so to a toll-free number, and these locations will not charge them anything to use their fax machines.

Link to article: 

CNMI provides free fax options for Soudelor survivors

Cannon Beach, Ore. – This past weekend, Cannon Beach held its second annual Race the Wave run for tsunami preparedness.  FEMA Corps provided support for the event along with several local and regional partners.  The team of eight FEMA Corps members, known as Blue Two, is serving in the FEMA Region X office in Bothell, Washington.  Blue Two arrived in Bothell September 3rd and will be in the area until November 12th.Their previous projects included a supporting role with the Central Coast Red Cross in California and FEMA Region VI in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mayor Steidel of Cannon Beach speaks at the starting line of Race the Wave at Necus' Park.

Cannon Beach Mayor Sam Steidel speaks to partners and participants prior to Race the Wave.  In its second year the event continues to spread a message of tsunami preparedness.  The event ended at one of the cities cache storage sites, where there was a preparedness fair open to race participants and the local community.

Race the Wave gave participants the option of running, walking, or rolling through different courses that began at the beach, leading onto the tsunami evacuation route and up to the designated assembly area, where they finished at a Disaster Preparedness Fair. The Preparedness Fair featured fun and interactive booths from various organizations including the American Red Cross and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for families and persons of all ages to learn how to properly prepare for a potential earthquake and tsunami.

Cannon Beach is a prime location for the event since it is a coastal community with a high volume of tourism year round.  However, despite being community based for the past two years, its intention is to send a broader message about the prevalent tsunami hazard along coastlines.  Populations vulnerable to this type of disaster stretch from Alaska all the way down to the coast of California. FEMA Region X hopes this event and others like it will encourage communities to become active in preparedness and spread the message. 

Cannon Beach is home to a cache storage system that is stocked and maintained by its citizens.  Mayor Sam Steidel had this to say on their system, “Involving our citizens in community preparedness gives us an educated volunteer base that will be of great importance in the event of emergencies.  In the future we hope to seek further improvement in our efforts by cooperating with other coastal communities for outreach events like Race the Wave.”

Blue Two assisted the Cannon Beach Children’s Center and Clatsop County Emergency Management with logistical efforts including race route support and gathering content for social media.  The team found collaborative efforts between organizations to be interesting, such as the Oregon Office on Disability & Health to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.  The team was eager to participate in the event understanding the potential impact it could have.

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and its FEMA Corps units engage 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year. AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development; FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery work. The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). CNCS is the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

Visit source – 

FEMA Corps ‘Raced the Wave’ in Cannon Beach

Agreements Total $9.9 Billion in Recovery Funding Since 2013; Funding Provided Under New Public Assistance Pilot Program

NEW YORK – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, New York State, and New York City announced they have reached final agreements for 78 Public Assistance projects in New York City and Long Island since 2013. The agreements, known as Letters of Undertaking (LOUs), support repair and restoration work totaling $9.9 billion. This includes 33 LOUs for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) which support $2.9 billion of work at more than 250 buildings.

The funding for these projects was made possible by FEMA’s Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Permanent Work (Section 428) – a new authority provided by the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. The pilot program allows FEMA to improve the delivery of public assistance funds by providing financial incentives for timely and cost effective completion of projects. The pilot program also provides FEMA with increased flexibility in the administration of public assistance while streamlining support to state, local, tribal governments or nonprofit groups.

“These agreements are a major step forward in helping our region recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy,” said Region II Administrator, Jerome Hatfield. “This new authority has improved FEMA’s ability to support our state, local and tribal partners as we work together to not only help New York recover from this disaster but also build back safer and stronger than ever before. Our working relationship with New York State and New York City has been invaluable.”

“The vital support provided to New York City through the 428 program is allowing us to rebuild stronger and more resiliently across the five boroughs — from our public housing and hospitals to our boardwalks and open spaces,” said Bill Goldstein, Senior Advisor to Mayor de Blasio for Recovery, Resiliency, and Infrastructure. “The flexibility provided by the program has been a huge help to the City and the New Yorkers who rely on this critical infrastructure. Thank you to FEMA for their continued partnership.”

Some key highlights:

·         The 78 LOUs represent an estimated $9.9 billion, with an anticipated $8.9 billion in federal share funding. To date, FEMA has obligated $5.7 billion of its federal share.

·         Of the 78 LOUs, 63 represent New York City projects for an estimated $5.9 billion with an anticipated $5.3 billion federal share funding. To date, FEMA has obligated $2.2 billion of the federal share for these NYC projects.

·         33 LOUs pertain to New York City Housing Authority developments and represent an estimated $2.9 billion with an anticipated $2.6 billion in federal share funding. To date, FEMA has obligated $10.2 million of the federal share.

A significant portion of eligible FEMA funding for NYCHA projects will be applied toward mitigation measures to help disaster-damaged buildings better withstand future disasters, including dry flood-proofing of structures and certain utilities, elevating equipment and providing backup power generators to certain damaged facilities.

Traditionally, Public Assistance funding is provided based on estimates and reimbursed at actual cost of completed projects. Under the Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Permanent Work, eligible applicants may request this fixed cap grant funding for repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of the disaster-damaged facility.  The grant amount is capped once FEMA, the State and the applicant agree on the damage, scope of work and estimated cost. Work must be finished within the established time period, including approved time extensions, and managed by the applicant to ensure it is completed for the capped amount.  Additional funding is not available if an applicant spends more than the fixed estimate. If the completed project is finished for less than the capped amount, the applicant may use the excess funds for other eligible Public Assistance projects.

The Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Permanent Work is just one of several Public Assistance initiatives authorized by the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act; more information can be found at FEMA.gov.

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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Originally from – 

FEMA, New York State & New York City Sign Off on 78 Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance Recovery Agreements

Fire Chief Sees Boost in Confidence for Unit’s 10 Firefighters

New York, NY — The fire company of the Village of Delanson, located some 25 miles west of Albany, has been awarded 10 self-contained breathing apparatuses, or SCBAs.  “This new equipment will take the place of 23-year-old gear whose straps were falling off and that used heavy steel packs that we had to lug around when confronted by a fire,” said Fire Chief Kevin Morrison.  The company’s old equipment was also out of compliance with state safety regulations, he added.

The Delanson Fire Company, with 10 volunteer firefighters, serves a village of roughly 370 residents and responds to some 115 calls per year.  “These SCBAs are a huge plus for the village and the department,” Chief Morrison said.  “Not only are they equipped with distress signals that enable a firefighter to signal for help, but they also allow a comrade to provide oxygen from his or her own cylinder.

“On top of it all,” he said “we could not have afforded this lifesaving upgrade,” which is a big boost in confidence and morale for our volunteers.”

The SCBAs were provided by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the agency’s grants director for Region II, Dale McShine, said in New York City today.  The equipment’s cost is $56,650, with the federal share coming to $53,953.  “Our AFG program has been aiding firefighters and other first responders since 2001,” said Ms. McShine.  “It’s most gratifying to be able to help like this.”

“This grant provides resources to replace outdated equipment critical for the safety of our firefighters,” said Delanson Mayor Gayle Gifford. “We’re a very small community with a very small volunteer fire company. But big or small, all fire companies share the same goal: to protect and serve their communities’ citizens.”

Citing how paramount it is to keep responders protected, Mayor Gifford continued, “Thanks to FEMA’s AFG program, Delanson’s firefighters will now be properly shielded in their hazardous work.”

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s regional Grants Branch Chief, explained that “the AFG program provides critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.”

In 2013, the AFG provided funding of $21.9 million to 192 Fire Departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  For the first time ever, funding was awarded to a State Fire Training Academy in the region: the NYS State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

For further information, please contact William H. Douglass at FEMA: 212-680-3665 or  917-561-3223.

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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EATONTOWN, N.J. — Nearly two years after Hurricane Sandy, FEMA officials marked the conclusion of their housing mission in New Jersey.

On September 11, 2014, FEMA returned the last of the Fort Monmouth properties that have housed displaced survivors of Hurricane Sandy since December of 2012. All of the 115 families who occupied the apartments and duplexes on the main post and in the Megill Commons area in Tinton Falls had either returned to their own homes or found a suitable housing alternative.

FEMA, the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and long term recovery groups worked diligently to provide one-on-one assistance to help individuals and families who lived in FEMA direct housing to move back home or find temporary housing.

Additionally, DCA staff actively worked with those families who have received rebuilding funds through the DCA’s Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program to ensure that they were moving through the program as efficiently as possible. The goal was to make sure everyone still living in FEMA direct housing were able to either return home or had temporary housing in place before the August 31, 2014, deadline that FEMA had set on closing out its direct housing program in New Jersey.

Under the Stafford Act approved by Congress, FEMA is authorized to provide direct housing to disaster survivors for up to 18 months following the date of a declared disaster. During that period, households participating in the housing program pay no rent or other fees.

The 18-month period expired on April 30, 2014. At the request of Governor Christie, the federal government granted a four-month extension of the housing program.

Starting May 1, 2014, the households who remained in FEMA-provided units were required to begin paying rent at the fair market rate for the region as determined by the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency. Those households who could not afford to do so were able to submit documentation of assets and expenses in order to qualify for a reduced rental payment.

In addition to those families housed at Fort Monmouth, FEMA also provided 89 mobile housing units for eligible applicants in New Jersey. With the exception of one mobile home that was placed on private property, the units were installed in 10 commercial mobile home parks in the state’s hardest-hit counties All of the residents of the mobile housing units have also either returned to their own homes or found suitable alternate accommodations.

Each household faced individual challenges that often required creative problem-solving. FEMA caseworkers met with each on a regular basis for assistance in developing a suitable long term housing plan. State agencies collaborated with FEMA as well as community and faith-based charities to help secure housing for the families. FEMA, DCA, long term recovery groups, the NJ Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities, the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance and the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency regularly held meetings for months to discuss the individual cases of people who were living in FEMA direct housing, to pool resources to triage cases and to identify temporary housing solutions. On a number of occasions, these individuals and families were driven to look at rental opportunities and meet with landlords to see if the housing unit met their needs.

“It’s very important to have good, strong, compassionate people,” to assist survivors experiencing some of the most trying periods of their lives, noted FEMA Individual Assistance Branch Director Annette Monet.

In some cases, age, illness, financial concerns or family size complicated the task of finding appropriate housing.

With extraordinary efforts and advocacy by the housing team on behalf of survivors, however, all the families were eventually able to secure alternative housing or return to their own homes.

“It took a bunch of very experienced people working together who were very knowledgeable about how things should work to find solutions for all of our families,” noted Monet. “They put all of their ideas together and worked as a team. That’s what you need when it gets down to helping the families help themselves.”

The leasing of the units at the former military base marked an unusual chapter in the history of FEMA’s housing program.

Mayor Gerald Tarantolo of Eatontown was among those who championed the idea of housing survivors displaced by the storm at the former army base. Tarantolo contacted the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to inquire as to whether that would be feasible. The state Economic Development Authority oversees FMERA.

With FMERA support, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management began discussions with the Army and FEMA, which would fund the lease, and an agreement was formulated.

After four weeks of renovations FEMA contracted with the Army Corps of Engineers, move-ins at two buildings on the main post and in larger units in the Megill Commons area of the fort began on December 21, 2012.

On September 16, 2014, the Chief of Staff for the Sandy Recovery Office Chris Hartnett and Carl Kahn of the FEMA acquisitions team presented Lt. Col. John Occhipinti, site manager for Fort Monmouth, with a certificate of appreciation for all his efforts on behalf of Sandy survivors housed at the fort.

In addition to the Direct Housing Mission, FEMA also provided $189 million in Rental Assistance payments to eligible applicants who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy. FEMA also provided 19,321 households with funds for repairs totaling $172.7 million.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, FEMA provided more than 5,500 families with short-term accommodations in 435 hotels and motels around the state through its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. The program provided 253,425 room nights for displaced survivors at a cost of $34 million. The TSA program ended on April 30, 2013.

The Rental Assistance program ended April 30, 2014.

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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Originally posted here – 

FEMA Housing Team Concludes Successful Mission in New Jersey

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