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Where to Bring Your Donations to Aid Louisiana Recovery Efforts: Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse Available

BATON ROUGE, La. — A multi-agency warehouse has recently opened where volunteers can sort and store much-needed donations and supplies to support recovery efforts across the state. The warehouse is being operated as a partnership between the state and Louisiana VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).

Adventist Community Services, a national and Louisiana State VOAD partner, is managing the warehouse operations, supported by an AmeriCorps team.

The warehouse will serve as a centralized intake point for donations from local community members as well as businesses across the country. Donations will be distributed to support the efforts of non-profits, shelters, and parishes as they respond to the needs in their communities.

Contact Information:

Phone: 225-800-2227

Email: 2016flooddonations@gmail.com

Destination:

Please bring or ship to:

Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse
9550 Dawnadele Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Items always needed include: Canned or non-perishable food, sports drinks, personal care items, work gloves, disposable baby diapers, baby food/formula, can openers (manual), plastic ware, paper products, blankets, disposable adult diapers, cleaning supplies, dust masks, heavy rubber kitchen gloves, flashlights and fresh batteries, non-sterile surgical gloves, mops, brooms, shovels, hand tools, kitchen items (such as new sets of pots and pans/cooking utensils). If unsure, just ask.

What is NOT needed: There is NO need for new or used clothing.

How to get it to us: We are encouraging businesses and groups to put together a truckload of supplies. This is the most effective way to make a difference. There is no funding to pay for shipping, so look for a business or trucker willing to donate a trip.

Once you have a truckload planned and know when it is ready to leave, it is essential to coordinate logistics before the truck leaves. We need to know a detailed inventory of contents, precise time it will leave, departure point, and estimated time of arrival. All truckloads of donations must be coordinated at least 48 hours in advance of arrival.

How to Pack Materials: Pack donations so they are not damaged in transit and are easily handled. Pack materials in cardboard cartons. Fill each carton with the same kind of item; mark it clearly with a large marker or other method, such as large paper labels. Organize canned goods by type.

Use cartons of small to medium sizes so they are manageable. Maximum weight should not exceed 30 pounds. Be careful not to overfill cartons. Pack cartons in trucks so they will not be easily crushed in transit. Palletized, shrink-wrapped loads are preferred.

How you can help:

A truly compassionate response is based on what is really needed by survivors. Be sure to confirm what can be used before collecting and shipping goods. Always arrange logistics in advance to ensure that the shipments can be accepted when they arrive to avoid delays.

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Where to Bring Your Donations to Aid Louisiana Recovery Efforts: Multi-Agency Disaster Warehouse Available

West Virginia Response & Recovery: Rising Above the Flood

CHARLESTON, W.v. – As skies clear and the floodwaters recede, responders, volunteers and teams dedicated to assisting West Virginians devastated by flooding have been arriving and making a difference. The West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) have been working with state and local emergency managers and officials to coordinate resources through its network of disaster relief agencies. They have been asking kind-hearted individuals seeking ways to help disaster survivors to make a donation to the WV VOAD Disaster Relief Fund or register as a volunteer. Financial donations are the best way to support the effort at this time. Donations will be used to support the disaster related needs of families through a network of voluntary agencies and a statewide disaster relief fund.

Financial donations are accepted and more information can be found at: https://wvvoad.communityos.org.

Volunteers wishing to help more directly with flood response and recovery can register online at www.volunteerwv.org. Volunteer West Virginia has partnered to match volunteers with organizations statewide to assist with response and recovery. When road hazards are clear and needs are identified, a volunteer coordinator will contact registered volunteers to schedule a volunteer shift or overnight deployment.

State and federal officials have announced the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) with tentative plans to open more. DRCs are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to provide one-on-one, face-to-face help from local, state and non-government organizations. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be present to provide information on low-interest loans and help applicants complete disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

A DRC has been established at the Kanawha County Crede Warehouse 3300 Pennsylvania Ave. in Charleston, WV 25302. The center will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Additionally, a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) in Greenbrier County is open from 7 a.m. – 7.p.m until Friday with additional hours to be determined. The center is currently located at 65 West Main St. in White Sulfur Springs, WV 24986.

However, individuals do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for assistance. If you have been affected by flooding and need assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or register with your smartphone at m.fema.gov. For those without access to the internet, FEMA has a toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

To learn more about Disaster Recovery Centers, go to FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

FEMA officials have reported that over $290,000 of federal funding has been approved for individuals and households affected by the disaster. 2,600 individual registrations have already been received, 800 of which have already been referred to inspectors. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

DEBRIS REMOVAL TIPS

Storm and flooding-related debris is eligible for pickup and disposal by the county or municipality if residents place the following types of debris on the public right-of-way in front of their property for pick-up. When placing debris at the roadside, residents should be careful not to cover or impede access to utility meters or mailboxes.

Residents opting for curbside pick-up must separate debris into categories:

Vegetative debris (tree limbs, shrubs, etc.)
Construction/Demolition debris
White goods (appliances, etc.)
E-goods (TV’s, electronics)
Household hazardous (cleaning solutions, automotive chemicals, etc.)
DEBRIS HANDLED BY CONTRACTORS: Some homeowner’s insurance policies may cover debris removal. Residents are reminded that if they choose to hire their own contractor, they should not place that debris on the right-of-way. The cost of debris disposal is typically included in the contractor’s estimates. Homeowners should review their insurance policies to determine if their policy covers debris removal. Under no circumstances will reconstruction debris or demolition debris created by the property owner or the private contractor be pushed to the curb. The property owner, insurance company or contractor is responsible for removing and transporting all demolition and/or reconstruction debris to an approved designated

AFTER A DISASTER – QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

Injuries may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
Be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in or around your home.
- Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines.
- Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.
If your power is out, safely use a generator or candles.
- Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
- Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions.
- If using candles, please use caution. If possible, use flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire.
Outside your home or business: Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.

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.

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Originally posted here –

West Virginia Response & Recovery: Rising Above the Flood

Disaster Recovery: How Texans Can Volunteer and Help Texas Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas — In the face of disaster, Texans always come together with courage, compassion and unity to ask, “How can I help?”

If you want to volunteer for disaster work, there are many tasks that can aid in recovery – cleaning-up and rebuilding are two of the biggest. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests that volunteering through a local voluntary organization may be the best way to find meaningful volunteer work after the disaster.

Such organizations are often in the best position to know about opportunities for immediate volunteer needs as well as volunteers in the long and difficult recovery phase. In addition, going through an established organization provides a better chance of having insurance and liability protection when you work as a volunteer.

The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TXVOAD) is a good source to find the local organizations in need of volunteers. TXVOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental groups that include volunteer engagement as a key component of their operations. Showing up at a disaster site unexpectedly can create an additional burden for first responders. If you want to help, it is advised to first reach out to an organization that is coordinating recovery needs in your community.

For a complete list of these organizations, with links to their websites, visit Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

In the immediate disaster response period there are often many people who want to volunteer at the same time. Be patient because it may not be clear until weeks after the incident how volunteers can get involved. There are often greater needs for volunteer help when the community enters the long-term recovery period which can be weeks or even months after a disaster.

Texans can learn more about volunteering and the benefits of volunteering during a disaster by viewing this video at go.usa.gov/cuX3V.

If you cannot volunteer your time or talent, FEMA officials say making a donation to an organization involved in disaster recovery is a sensible, efficient way of helping the people in need. Cash contributions to volunteer organizations make good sense for a number of reasons:

Financial contributions help ensure a steady flow of important services to disaster survivors in need;
Local organizations spend the money in the local disaster area, accelerating recovery of the local economy;
Cash donations – rather than unsolicited donated goods – avoid the complicated, costly and time-consuming process of collecting, transporting and distributing the goods; and
With a receipt, cash donations to recognized relief organizations are tax-deductible.

If a disaster survivor has needs, they can call 211 to be matched with a volunteer group that can help.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit us at Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Disaster Recovery: How Texans Can Volunteer and Help Texas Survivors

State and Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $40 Million for Recent Oklahoma Storms

OKLAHOMA CITY – To date, Oklahomans have received more than $40.7 million in grants, low-interest loans and insurance settlements from the federal government, helping to rebuild the lives of families and help out businesses affected by the severe weather and subsequent flooding during the period of May 5 through June 22.

Nearly 10,000 families have registered for assistance with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The disaster assistance, which totals more than $40.7 million, includes more than $15.5 million approved for homeowners and renters, more than $13.2 million in grants for housing, including home repairs and rental assistance, and more than $2.1 million for Other Needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property essential to the home. It also includes more than $8.6 million in payments to survivors through the National Flood Insurance Program and more than $16.7 million in SBA loans.

SBA has issued 1,342 applications for low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses. More than $15.5 million has been approved for homeowners, and more than $1.2 million in loans has been approved for business owners rebuilding after the storms.

Low-interest SBA disaster loans may be available to businesses of all sizes as well as certain private nonprofit organizations. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for SBA loans for uninsured loss. These loans cannot duplicate benefits from other agencies or compensation from other organizations.

FEMA deployed 88 Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists going door to door in the affected 45 counties. To date, they have visited 18,878 homes and 889 community-based organizations delivering recovery information and guidance. These specialists have also registered 647 survivors for disaster assistance. A total of 4,206 people have visited DRCs.

Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online with any computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register by phone: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

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

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State and Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $40 Million for Recent Oklahoma Storms

Four FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Open and Ready to Assist

WARREN, Mich. – Four disaster recovery centers are opening tomorrow to assist residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties who suffered damages and losses in the August 11-13 severe storms and flooding.

Disaster recovery centers offer long-term opportunities for disaster survivors to reach out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration and other organizations. The four centers are one-stop shops where disaster survivors can register for assistance, discuss types of disaster assistance programs with specialists, receive the status of their existing application and obtain other information.

The centers should not be confused with the recovery support sites located throughout neighborhoods in southeast Michigan. The support sites are open for a short period of time and can quickly answer questions about disaster assistance programs.

Disaster recovery center locations:

Macomb County

Renaissance Unity Church
11200 E. 11 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48089

Oakland County

Gerry Kulick Community Center
1201 Livernois Ave.
Ferndale, MI 48220

Wayne County

Wayne County Community College Welcome Center
8200 West Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48219

Wayne County Community College Education and Performing Arts Center
21000 Northline Road
Taylor, MI 48180

All centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but closed on Sunday.

Residents with losses from the storms and flooding will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the disaster recovery centers.

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

The application deadline is Nov. 24, 2014.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

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

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Four FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Open and Ready to Assist

Disaster Assistance for SR530 Slide Expanded to Include More Funding for Public Facilities and Infrastructure

EVERETT, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division today announced that more financial assistance for local and state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations has been approved for eligible public facilities affected by the SR530 Slide. The new provisions for public facilities expand the funding that is already available for eligible costs of debris removal and emergency measures.

The additional assistance is for repair and replacement of:

Roads and bridges;
Water-control facilities;
Public buildings and their contents;
Public utilities, both government and privately owned; and
Parks, recreational resources and similar facilities that serve the public.

“This funding will help us escalate the recovery work we have already been accomplishing with local, tribal and federal partners,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. “We will continue to work with FEMA and our other partners for as long it takes.”

Federal assistance for debris removal and emergency measures became available on April 2 for eligible state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Snohomish County – including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip tribes. This money will allow for further recovery efforts.

“This funding will help us to continue supporting recovery from the SR530 Slide,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “FEMA remains dedicated to doing all we can.”

The Public Assistance program is for recovery of infrastructure and public entities. Unlike Individual Assistance –which is a separate program that assists individuals and households affected by the SR530 slide – Public Assistance is a federal program to provide funding for infrastructure and public facilities. FEMA covers 75 percent of the costs of eligible projects.

Immediately following the disaster, the state of Washington and FEMA extended support for debris removal and measures to protect further human injury and damage to property.

Public Assistance funding may cover costs incurred to return elements of the public facilities to as close to their pre-disaster condition as possible. Types of entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

State government agencies;
Local governments and special districts;
Certain private nonprofit organizations; and
Federally recognized tribes.

Eligible private nonprofits that might qualify for assistance include schools, utilities, emergency medical and custodial care operations, irrigation systems, museums, zoos, community centers, libraries, shelters, health services and other organizations that provide essential services of a governmental nature.

Nonprofits that supply critical services – power, water, sewage treatment, communications and emergency care – can apply directly to FEMA for help. All others must first apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which works hand-in-hand with FEMA, for a low-interest loan. If such a loan is denied or is inadequate for the nonprofit’s needs, the organization can apply to FEMA for a grant, federal officials said.

The Public Assistance program also encourages protection of facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard-mitigation measures during and after the recovery process.

To learn more about the Public Assistance program, visit: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit/categories-work.

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Disaster Assistance for SR530 Slide Expanded to Include More Funding for Public Facilities and Infrastructure

FEMA Continues to Support Response Efforts in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, Wv. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on site in Charleston, W.Va., and through its regional office in Philadelphia, Pa., continues to work in close coordination with the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to support state and local efforts to ensure public health and safety, in response to emergency conditions resulting from a chemical spill in Charleston on Thursday.

At the request of the state, FEMA is continuing to provide supplies to a regional staging area in Charleston. As of Sunday, FEMA has delivered over 2 million liters of water from its distribution centers in Cumberland and Frederick, Maryland, to the area for use by the state. FEMA will continue to deliver supplies to the state for distribution, as needed and request.

Friday, President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for federal disaster assistance to West Virginia to supplement state and local response efforts. Direct federal assistance is currently available to officials in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Roane counties to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. FEMA is continuing regular on-going dialogue working closely with State officials with the state to ensure there are no unmet needs in helping those impacted by this incident as the response continues through its fourth day.

In support of state and local response efforts, a FEMA liaison, an Incident Management Assistance Team and a Mobile Emergency Response team are on site in Charleston to help coordinate assistance to the state as needed. In addition, FEMA’s Regional Response Coordination Center in Philadelphia is activated to support coordination efforts and assist in mobilizing resources.

“Each day we are seeing higher stock levels of bottled water in the stores within the communities,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Lapinski. “FEMA will continue to provide bottled water as requested to meet the needs of the state and its citizens, especially vulnerable populations who may have difficulty getting to stores or distribution centers.” If you need water and can’t get to a distribution site due to accessibility issues, FEMA recommends you contact your local fire, police or emergency manager.

For more information on voluntary donations and how to help, please visit West Virginia’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster on Facebook. Residents can also follow the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion3, fema.gov/blog, twitter.com/fema, facebook.com/fema, and 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: FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or 215-931-5597

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FEMA Continues to Support Response Efforts in West Virginia

SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application: Key to FEMA Awards

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Disaster assistance applicants referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) who do not complete and submit the companion SBA disaster assistance loan application may be jeopardizing eligibility for other types of assistance.

In addition to businesses, homeowners, renters, and private, nonprofit organizations may be eligible for low interest home repair loans. The loans can be used to cover the costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not covered by insurance or other aid.

It’s essential for everyone in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) of Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk with damage from the 2013 Spring Flood to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and, if referred, apply for the SBA disaster loan. Small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in contiguous REAAs are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Here are some important facts about the SBA loan application:

August 26, 2013, is the last day you can register with FEMA and apply for an SBA disaster loan for physical damage.
March 25, 2014, is the last day a business or private, non-profit organization may apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
You don’t have to accept the loan if you qualify for one.
If you don’t qualify, you could be eligible for more assistance from FEMA and other organizations.
You don’t have to apply for the SBA disaster loan to qualify for FEMA awards for disaster related medical, dental, and funeral expenses.
SBA personnel will help you fill out the disaster loan application for free!
Complete the SBA application and return it as soon as possible.

There are three ways for survivors of the flooding that occured between May 17 and June 11, 2013, to apply for an SBA disaster loan: After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or visit the Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

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SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application: Key to FEMA Awards

FEMA, Federal Partners Continue to Support Response to Severe Storms in Oklahoma

Survivors are Encouraged to Register for Assistance

WASHINGTON — The Administration, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains in close contact with emergency officials and continues to coordinate federal support to state, tribal and local officials in Oklahoma through FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. and Regional Response Coordination Center in Denton, Texas. At the President’s direction, FEMA continues to provide resources to support response and recovery efforts.

On Monday, May 20, 2013, the President declared a major disaster for the State of Oklahoma, supporting state, local and tribal emergency work in affected areas. Federal disaster aid also is available to affected individuals in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in these affected areas are encouraged to apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 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 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week.

Today, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano traveled to Moore, Oklahoma to meet with Governor Mary Fallin, state and local officials and ensure that first responders are receiving the assistance they need in on-going response and recovery efforts to the severe weather that impacted the region. At the direction of the President, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate is on the ground in Oklahoma to ensure all Federal resources are supporting our state, local, and tribal partners in life saving and safety operations including search and rescue.

“Our priority is to get disaster assistance to the survivors of this storm,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Residents and business owners who sustained losses are encouraged to register for federal assistance.”

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are on the ground to help federal, state, local, and tribal partners gather detailed information on the affected communities during the critical first hours, days and weeks. DSATs address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-site registration, applicant status checks, on-the-spot needs assessments, and access to partners offering survivor services. All teams wear FEMA photo identification badges in plain sight. As of 7 a.m., more than 1,000 Oklahomans have registered for assistance.

Disaster Recovery Centers also continue to be established in the affected areas where survivors can register for assistance and receive information about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs.

In coordination with the state, FEMA has more than 400 people on the ground in support of response and recovery efforts, including a liaison officer, three national Urban Search and Rescue teams, a national Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) and a regional IMAT to Oklahoma to coordinate with state and local officials in support of recovery operations. Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) assets also are in Oklahoma to provide self-sustaining telecommunications, logistics and operations support elements. Additional teams are en route.

Rapidly removing disaster related debris enables a community to recover more rapidly. Yesterday, FEMA implemented a pilot program for debris removal that offers communities financial incentives for the timely removal of debris and a time limited financial incentive for having a pre-incident debris management plan.

The Red Cross Safe and Well secure website provides a way for people to find information on survivors affected by the storms. To register, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell. Open Red Cross shelters can also be found on www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter.

The state of Oklahoma in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund Donations. Those who wish to provide assistance to support disaster relief efforts can donate online at www.unitedwayokc.org or find additional information on the voluntary agencies playing a vital role in disaster recovery by visiting: National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

Individuals with a Blackberry, Android or Apple device can download the FEMA app to access safety tips, shelter locations, and more.

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..

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FEMA, Federal Partners Continue to Support Response to Severe Storms in Oklahoma

East Greenville Resident Visited the White House on Wednesday as a “Champions of Change” Finalist for Helping Pennsylvanians Recover from…

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An East Greenville resident was honored at the White House on Wednesday for helping Pennsylvanians recover from Hurricane Sandy. Brian Buhman, a volunteer state coordinator of field operations with Team Rubicon USA, is a finalist in the White House “Champions of Change” initiative.

As a new state coordinator of field operations with Team Rubicon USA, a nonprofit disaster response service group of U.S. military veterans, Buhman was among the first responders to Hurricane Sandy. Since the days immediately after the storm, Buhman, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has spent at least 150 hours supervising and working alongside some 50 Team Rubicon volunteers. They cleared trees from approximately 20 private properties throughout Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. Buhman and his teams located and approached property owners who were identified on lists developed and maintained by county emergency managers.

“It just seemed like there was always a need,” Buhman said. “Just when we thought we had covered all of the impacted homes in an area, we would hear from an organization such as the local United Way that more homes were identified.”

Buhman is one example of hundreds of engaged volunteers who have spent hours tirelessly helping after Hurricane Sandy. Many volunteers have assisted their neighbors by clearing debris, helping with reconstruction projects and providing emotional support here in Pennsylvania – as well as supporting residents in the bordering states of New York and New Jersey.

“Volunteers like Brian Buhman have been a vital piece of the recovery process since Hurricane Sandy,” said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer Glenn M. Cannon, with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Many volunteers have been affiliated with member groups of Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (SEPA VOAD). SEPA VOAD coordinates planning efforts and matches community needs with services provided by its member agencies. This cooperative effort is an effective way for a wide variety of organizations to work together in a crisis. Team Rubicon USA is one of those organizations.

“Brian Buhman from Team Rubicon was fantastic and a great new addition to SEPA VOAD,” said Liberty Lutheran Services Volunteer Engagement and Disaster Response Co-coordinator Julia Menzo. “The impact of Buhman’s work has meant a lot to homeowners and all of us as Team Rubicon’s partners. The organization is bringing a great deal of trained volunteers to our region and they are able to provide leadership and help with assessments.”

Being involved in disaster response comes naturally to Buhman. “I like going out and helping. It’s part of being a veteran – we strive in these kinds of situations,” he said.

Team Rubicon USA is comprised of individuals just like Buhman. The organization unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. This activity provides veterans with a chance to continue serving by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters. To learn more about Team Rubicon USA, see: TeamRubiconUSA.org/.

“Brian Buhman and others with Team Rubicon USA, as well as the multitude of individuals who responded to the needs of their neighbors after Hurricane Sandy, made vital contributions to the robust storm recovery still in process in Pennsylvania,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool.

The White House Champions of Change initiative highlights the extraordinary activity of Americans as they support their communities. Every week, “Champions of Change” finalists are invited to the White House to be acknowledged for their contributions and to share their ideas. To learn more about the “Champions of Change” program, see: WhiteHouse.gov/champions.

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 http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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East Greenville Resident Visited the White House on Wednesday as a “Champions of Change” Finalist for Helping Pennsylvanians Recover from…

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