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FEMA Lends A Hand To Vermonters During National Food Drive

WILLISTON, Vt. – As the Federal Emergency Management Agency marks more than two years in Vermont assisting disaster survivors, its staff are working to help fight hunger in the state as well.

The fifth annual Feds Feed Families campaign is a national project of federal employees who help collect food and non-perishable items for those in need, and this year FEMA employees in Vermont are helping to replenish the shelves of the Vermont Foodbank.

“FEMA has had a presence in Vermont since the spring 2011 floods,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “Through Irene, and now through this summer’s flooding we have been working to assist Vermonters. Donating food through the Feds Feed Families effort is a natural extension of that work.”

So far, employees at FEMA’s Joint Field Office in Williston have contributed 530 pounds of food and non-perishable items to the Vermont Foodbank as part of Feds Feed Families.

The United State Department of Agriculture is leading this year’s Feds Feed Families campaign, which officially began on June 1 and will run through August 28, 2013.

All federal agencies, including field components, are asked to participate in the campaign. The field agencies typically share their collections with local food banks.

Since 2009, federal workers have donated and collected 15.2 million pounds of food and other non-perishable items to support families across America.

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

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FEMA Lends A Hand To Vermonters During National Food Drive

Call FEMA Hotline to Report Suspicions of Fraud

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Disasters frequently bring out the best in people but sometimes the worst. When fraud occurs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a responsibility to take action.

People who intentionally defraud the federal government are taking money away from those who truly need disaster assistance. FEMA must ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to people who incurred legitimate losses. This may include prosecuting anyone who makes a fraudulent claim.

Most cases where possible fraud is detected are not deliberate attempts to defraud the government. FEMA recommends survivors receiving disaster assistance awards to keep receipts for at least three years that document how the funds were used.

Anyone with information about individuals who may have defrauded the government in connection with the 2013 spring floods should call the FEMA fraud hotline at 800-323-8603 or email DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV. This can include information on contractors, inspectors, disaster survivors or anyone posing as any of these. Complaints also can be made via the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

Survivors who feel they have made a mistake in reporting damages or losses should call the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s Office of Inspector General routinely audits individuals, local governments and nonprofit organizations that receive FEMA disaster assistance funds. The audits are independent assessments to determine whether recipients spent the funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. Auditors look at expenditures on ineligible items or instances of duplicate payments from insurance companies or other sources.

Link:

Call FEMA Hotline to Report Suspicions of Fraud

Being Alert To Fraud Following Superstorm Sandy Helps Recovery And Taxpayers

TRENTON, N.J. — While the vast majority of people who have registered and received FEMA assistance have genuine needs, the rush to get millions in disaster assistance to those affected by Superstorm Sandy, sadly, presents opportunities for dishonest people to defraud taxpayers.

Fraud increases the cost of recovery after a disaster and gives money to those without disaster-related losses, emergency management officials warn.

The Inspector General for the Federal Emergency Management Agency investigates complaints of fraud, waste or abuse involving FEMA contracts, programs or personnel. FEMA maintains a toll-free Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Potential cases of fraud or misuse of funds can be referred to the U.S. Justice Department for prosecution. Penalties for felony offenses can be severe.

These are some examples of complaints that are typically filed with the FEMA Office of the Inspector General:

Applicants used false names and multiple and/or fictitious addresses;
Applicants claimed losses they didn’t sustain or to which they were not entitled;
Applicants did not use FEMA money for the intended purposes;
Municipal officials used FEMA money for their own benefit;
FEMA checks were stolen; and
Applicants received duplicate payments from FEMA and their insurance companies.

Complaints can also be filed by writing to:

National Center for Disaster Fraud

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909

Those who visit the Office of the Inspector General Web site at www.fema.gov/ig/hotline.shtm will find an option to submit a complaint using Internet electronic mail. Those who submit complaints via e-mail must waive confidentiality because of the non-secure nature of Internet electronic mail systems.

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.

Being Alert To Fraud Following Superstorm Sandy Helps Recovery And Taxpayers

Fema, New Jersey Show Maps At Mercer Open House

TRENTON, N.J. — FEMA and the State of New Jersey will be holding an open house at the Mercer County Public Library in Lawrenceville on Wednesday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide information and answer questions about the revised preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study for Mercer County, New Jersey, which were released on May 30, 2013. The library is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville.

Residents will have the opportunity to view the maps at the open house or at the Lawrenceville Municipal Office.

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.

Originally posted here:

Fema, New Jersey Show Maps At Mercer Open House

Federal disaster declared for spring 2013 floods – Federal Public and Individual Assistance activated for flood-affected Alaskans

On Tuesday, June 25, President Obama approved Alaska Governor Sean Parnell’s request for Federal Assistance in the disaster affected areas of the Alaska Gateway, Yukon Flats, Yukon Koyukuk, and Lower Yukon Regional Attendance Areas, with Copper River Regional attendance area for Public Assistance only. The Federal Disaster Declaration makes federal funds and resources available to support the recovery of these areas affected by the 2013 Spring Floods.

The Federal Assistance programs offer help to individuals and families affected by the disaster, as well as funds to assist the state, tribal, and affected local governments with infrastructure damages and costs incurred during the response and recovery from the floods.

Based on eligibility, Individual Assistance includes many different programs to help individuals and families affected by the floods including:

Temporary housing.
Grants to repair or replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
Unemployment assistance benefits.
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations.
Loans for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling assistance for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

Those in the area designated for assistance to affected individuals and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and 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 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

FEMA is working to set up a Joint Field Office (JFO) in conjunction with the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHS&EM) to begin recovery efforts for the communities. More information at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov and ready/alaska.gov

Link:

Federal disaster declared for spring 2013 floods – Federal Public and Individual Assistance activated for flood-affected Alaskans

St. Bernard Parish Continues Rebuilding Key Infrastructure with Additional FEMA Grants

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced nearly $13.6 million in additional funding to repair sewage systems, canal crossings and roads in St. Bernard Parish damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

“These projects are a result of the continued partnership between St. Bernard Parish and FEMA,” said Parish President David Peralta. “The additional monies will help fund major infrastructure projects and improve the quality of life for the residents of St. Bernard Parish.”

When Hurricane Katrina hit, parish-owned infrastructure sustained damages from flooding and storm surge. The sanitary sewer system was overburdened from storm debris and flooding of manholes. Canal crossings were inundated and scoured by fast-flowing debris deposits. The base material under paved roads was initially compromised by the flooding, and then further destroyed by heavy trucks and machinery brought in to clear debris.

“Basic public infrastructure throughout St. Bernard Parish was cracked, broken and sometimes left nearly unusable following Hurricane Katrina,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Director Mike Womack. “Repairs and new construction have become a way of life since then – a pathway to our complete recovery. FEMA is committed to working side by side with the state and parish officials to ensure all related costs are covered.”

The recent series of FEMA grants work to continue the repairs to this critical infrastructure, including:

$10.2 million for work on the sanitary sewage collection system;
$2.2 million for roadway repairs, including materials testing and architecture and engineering services;
$697,071 for Dravo force main, a sanitary sewer force on the 40 Arpent Canal Levee; and
$504,840 for Rosetta and Lena canal crossings at 20 Arpent Canal.

FEMA has provided $474 million for water, sewer, roads and bridges in St. Bernard Parish, part of more than $1.8 billion granted to date to the parish for damages caused by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/latro.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femalro, blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

St. Bernard Parish Continues Rebuilding Key Infrastructure with Additional FEMA Grants

Disaster Recovery Center in Woodford County to Close

AURORA, Ill. – The federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Woodford County will close at
7 p.m. Friday, June 14.

Woodford County

Woodford County Emergency Management Office

301 S. Main St.

Roanoke, IL 61561

After the DRC closes, registration continues to be available in several ways: online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Recovery Center in Woodford County to Close

Schedule Changes for Illinois/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

AURORA, Ill. – The eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) operated by the state of Illinois and FEMA have changed their schedule of operations.

They will now be open from Monday through Saturday, rather than seven days a week. The DRCs will be closed Sundays. Hours of operation remain 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRC locations are as follows:

Chicago

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C

Chicago, IL 60646

Chicago

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

Cook County

Forest View Fire Department

7010 W. 46th

Forest View, IL 60402

Cook County

1486 Miner St. (Next to

Des Plaines Theater)

Des Plaines, IL 60016

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Ave.

Lisle, IL 60532

Peoria County

Chillicothe Fire Department (Fire Hall)

217 W. Chestnut St.

Chillicothe, IL 61523

Rock Island County

Rock Island County Emergency Management Office

6120 78th Ave.

Milan, IL 61264

Woodford County

Woodford County Emergency

Management Office

301 S. Main

Roanoke, IL 61561

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.

DRCs also offer an additional service for those who may have questions or need help in applying for disaster aid. Information about other disaster programs is also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. Residents should apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

Hazard Mitigation staff, located at the DRCs, can provide information on repairing or rebuilding homes to minimize damage from future storms and flooding events.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Link –

Schedule Changes for Illinois/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

Change in Schedule for Rock Island County DRC

AURORA, Ill. – The Rock Island County Disaster Recovery Center opened today, and will operate Monday through Saturday, rather than seven days a week.

Location and hours for the center, operated by Illinois Emergency Management Agency and FEMA, are as follows:

Rock Island County

Rock Island County Emergency Management Agency Office

6120 78^th Ave.

Milan, IL 61264

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Change in Schedule for Rock Island County DRC

Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

TRENTON, N.J.–Repairing or rebuilding your home following Superstorm Sandy can be a complicated and expensive process, but having your home thoroughly inspected and making all necessary repairs are critical components of the recovery process.

While much of the damage from a storm such as Sandy is visible to the naked eye, hidden damage may exist that can pose a safety hazard to residents and/or compromise the integrity of the structure.

If you are living in your home while you are repairing it, are preparing to move back in and are about to begin repairs, be sure to follow these guidelines to protect your family:

Look for any external damage

Examine the foundation, roof and chimney of the structure for cracks or other damage. The presence of cracks does not necessarily mean an unsafe structure and may be unrelated to the storm. If necessary, contact a building design professional to evaluate your building and make a determination. If you have reason to believe that your home is not safe to occupy, the local building inspector could perform an inspection.

Thoroughly check your electrical system

Floodwater contaminants can create serious fire hazards if electrical wiring and equipment have been submerged in water. Even with professional cleaning and drying, sediments and toxins are difficult to remove. It is not always necessary to replace all of the wiring, but it is recommended that you have a qualified electrical contractor evaluate the condition of:

Circuit breakers and fuses
All electrical wiring systems
Light switches, thermostats, outlets, light fixtures, electric heaters and ceiling fans
Furnace burner and blower motors, ignition transformers, elements and relays for furnaces
Hot water tanks
Washing machines, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, vacuums, power tools, exercise equipment and similar pieces
Electronic equipment, including computers and home entertainment systems

Keep generators outside

If your building is without power and you plan to install a backup system, use generators or other fuel-powered machines outdoors only. Such machines emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes which are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you if they are used indoors.

Conduct a thorough inspection for mold

Flooding causes dampness where mold, mildew and various organisms thrive. It can grow unnoticed in hidden areas such as above ceilings, behind walls, in attics and basements or crawl spaces.

Exposure to mold can pose a health risk, particularly for infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as allergies or asthma.

Because mold feeds on cellulose, which is a component of many building materials, it can break down studs and joists, causing extensive property damage.

Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mold spores that may be released while you are cleaning, and be sure to follow directions when using cleaning products.

The New Jersey Department of Health has released Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents recovering from Superstorm Sandy. To receive a copy of Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents, call (609) 826-4950 or download a copy online at nj.gov/health/er/hurricane_recovery_resources.shtml.

Avoid Scam Artists

As you plan long-term repair and rebuilding projects, be aware that natural disasters can bring out criminals who prey on disaster victims by offering fraudulent services. The state Division of Consumer Affairs in the Attorney General’s Office licenses home improvement contractors, which is intended to provide protection for homeowners. For assistance filing a complaint, or to check on the complaint history of a business, call the DCA Consumer Service Center at (973) 504-6200.

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.

Continued:

Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

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