Link: 

Federal Aid Programs For State Of New Hampshire Disaster Recovery

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico 

Release Date: June 13, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-108

DENTON, Texas – In order to help fight the Little Bear Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a request from the state of New Mexico for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG).

“We support our local and state officials in their efforts to combat this fire threat and keep people and property safe from harm,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Regional Administrator Tony Robinson.

Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

An authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state and local government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to reimburse local fire fighting efforts for fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Jun-2012 11:00:44

Source:

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Lincoln County, New Mexico

FEMA Funding Made Available to Help Nevada Fight TRE Fire 

Release Date: May 23, 2012
Release Number: R9-12-002

» 2012 Region IX News Releases

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of Nevada fight the TRE Fire in Douglas County.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time the state of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant, the fire was threatening 700 homes in and around Topaz Ranch Estates. The fire was also threatening numerous businesses, infrastructure and utilities in the area. Voluntary evacuations had taken place for approximately 300 people.

“FEMA Region IX remains in constant contact with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management to identify needs and provide ongoing support as requested,” said FEMA Region IX Administrator, Nancy Ward.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs, covered by the grant, must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-May-2012 14:36:16

View this article: 

FEMA Funding Made Available to Help Nevada Fight TRE Fire

FEMA Will Give Vermont 90 Percent Funding for Irene Repair Work 

Release Date: May 17, 2012
Release Number: 4022-080

» More Information on Vermont Tropical Storm Irene

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — The State of Vermont, municipalities, and some non-profit groups will be getting more federal money to reimburse them for costs incurred during Tropical Storm Irene and the subsequent clean up and repairs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that President Obama has approved Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin’s request for the federal government to reimburse applicants for 90 percent of the eligible costs to repair or restore infrastructure damaged by Irene instead of the standard 75 percent.

“This announcement marks a major milestone in our recovery from Tropical Storm Irene,” Governor Shumlin said. “It will mean significant savings for municipal budgets across the state, and for the state budget as well. We are incredibly grateful to President Obama and the Congressional Delegation, and also to FEMA for this welcome news.”

“We hope that this will help the state and its communities in their ongoing recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer James N. (Nick) Russo, the head of FEMA’s mission in Vermont. “We know that Vermont and its towns and cities are working as hard as they can to repair damage, and we’re working hard to get them their money.”

The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program provides funding to repair roads and bridges, put water systems and electric utilities back in order, rebuild libraries and replace damaged books, repair hospitals and emergency services, rebuild schools and universities, and pay for other infrastructure restoration statewide.

It also reimburses communities and certain private non-profits for expenses associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures like search and rescue operations, and the cost of eliminating public safety or health hazards, like removing animal carcasses or demolishing unsafe buildings.

FEMA’s PA program typically reimburses 75 percent of the eligible cost of these projects, with the state and municipality sharing the remainder.

However, according to FEMA’s regulations up to 90 percent reimbursement is permitted if actual federal aid to a state for a disaster, minus FEMA’s administrative costs, meets or exceeds $127 per person.

With a population of 625,741 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that means if the actual cost of FEMA aid to the state exceeds $79,469,107 the state becomes eligible for 90 percent reimbursement, at the discretion of the president.

So far FEMA has obligated, or paid to the state, approximately $64.7 million in reimbursement for Public Assistance projects related to Tropical Storm Irene, as well as $22 million in Individual Assistance to individuals and families for losses.

The increased reimbursement will be provided to both completed projects and those in process. It will not apply to projects related to the spring 2011 flooding.

To learn more visit: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-May-2012 17:49:03

View post: 

FEMA Will Give Vermont 90 Percent Funding for Irene Repair Work

Administration Takes Another Step Toward Strengthening Resilience For All Hazards 

Release Date: May 3, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-034

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its partners released the 2012 National Preparedness Report (NPR) identifying significant progress the nation has made in areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Overall the Report found that the nation has increased its collective preparedness, not only from external threats, but also for natural and technological hazards.

“This Report illustrates areas of national strength to include planning, operational coordination, intelligence and information sharing, and other response related capabilities,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As we continually assess and aim to meet the full vision of the National Preparedness Goal, we must continue to build on the significant progress to date and address identified opportunities for improvement.”

The Report reflects how the nation has made significant progress addressing opportunities for improvement identified after events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. For example, the 9/11 attacks revealed limited information sharing across the government and the private sector, but since that time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed a national network of fusion centers and has standardized policies. Additionally, DHS has been closely coordinating with the Joint Terrorism Task Forces for sharing information across the whole community.

The Report details how federal preparedness grant dollars have been used to build and sustain core capabilities. From fiscal year (FY) 2006 to FY 2010, $17.2 billion in DHS-FEMA non-disaster preparedness grant investments were made through various grant programs. Programs such as the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative support a range of capabilities across all mission areas, leveraging these substantial investments more broadly.

Decision makers in the public and private sectors use risk analysis to shape and prioritize preparedness activities across mission areas. States are required to conduct threat and hazard identification and risk assessments as a condition for receiving most preparedness grants and set threat and hazard-based targets for capability assessments when developing State Preparedness Reports.

The NPR looked at 31 core capabilities needed to achieve the National Preparedness Goal across the five mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. This Report was written in close coordination with leaders of federal departments and agencies, and reflects input from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, private and nonprofit sector partners and the general public.

The National Preparedness Report is the next step in implementing PPD-8. Since the President signed the directive in March 2011, FEMA and its partners have released the first edition of the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System description and the working drafts of the National Planning Frameworks. For more information on PPD-8 and to download the Report, visit www.fema.gov/ppd8 or contribute your ideas at fema.ideascale.com.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 03-May-2012 14:16:06

Read the article – 

Administration Takes Another Step Toward Strengthening Resilience For All Hazards

State Has Two Separate Disaster Declarations In Effect 

Release Date: April 20, 2012
Release Number: 4061-041

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – State and FEMA officials moved Friday to limit any confusion that might arise about the recent re-designation of Lincoln County as eligible for the FEMA Individual and Households Assistance Program.

“In essence, West Virginia has had two separate disasters declared by President Obama,” said Deanne Criswell, FEMA’s Charleston-based federal coordinating officer. “The first, declared on March 15, was for damages sustained in the storms from February 29 through March 5. The second, declared on March 22, was for damages sustained in the flooding from March 15 through March 31.” These are called “incident periods,” according to Criswell.

FEMA has applied its system of assigning a number to each declared disaster to these two events. The first is DR-4059 and the second is DR-4061, she said. “In the case of Lincoln County, it has been assigned both numbers, and it is important for survivors to know that registering with FEMA for one disaster does not register you for the other.”

Thus anyone who sustained damages or other losses from the flooding that occurred between March 15 and March 31 will need to register with FEMA under DR-4061, even if he or she had already registered under DR-4059.

People seeking aid or clarity about the registration process need only phone FEMA’s toll-free Help Line at 800-621-3362 to speak to a representative and supply some basic information. Operators are standing by from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week, Criswell said. “The process is fast and simple. Even if you are unsure if you qualify, call FEMA and let us determine your eligibility. ”

Registration is also available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. From a cell phone or other PDA, the address is m.fema.gov. Those with hearing or speech disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Applicants should be ready to supply FEMA with his or her current contact information (mailing address, phone number, e-mail address or that of a friend or relative who can reach the applicant), a Social Security number of any household member, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of the problems and, if appropriate, any information about insurance coverage one might or might not have. The FEMA representative may ask for some other data, like the number of people residing in the property and the family’s gross annual income. All this information is critical to the process and will be kept in strict confidence by FEMA, Criswell said.

After registering with FEMA, applicants will be given a case number so they can follow the progress of their applications and to use when speaking to other FEMA personnel. To check on the status of one’s application, he or she can call the FEMA Help Line or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at 2270 Mud Fork Road in Logan. This information will be available after 24 hours of initially registering with FEMA.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 20-Apr-2012 16:39:44

Continued here: 

State Has Two Separate Disaster Declarations In Effect

St. Bernard’s Historic Courthouse Restored With FEMA Funding 

Release Date: April 17, 2012
Release Number: 1603-973

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS – As repairs to St. Bernard Parish’s early 20th century courthouse near completion, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today $638,677 in additional funding for the Katrina-related restoration work.

This new funding brings the agency’s total monetary support to more than $7.5 million for the noteworthy project.

The historic courthouse, known as “St. Bernard’s Old Courthouse,” dates back to 1915 and served as the parish’s first courthouse until 1939. More recently, prior to Hurricane Katrina, St. Bernard Parish leased the courthouse facility to the local public school board for use as Beauregard Middle School. For this reason, the facility is also commonly referred to as the “Old Beauregard Middle School.”

Located on Bayou Road and Beauregard Lane in St. Bernard, the courthouse was flooded by an estimated 8 feet of water during Katrina, causing extensive damages to the historic facility. Nearly seven years later, it is now returning to the community after undergoing successful recovery measures.

“This landmark project, involving one of the parish’s most important historic buildings, is the result of the successful collaboration between the parish government, the state and FEMA’s public assistance and historic preservation groups,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan.
“In the end, the courthouse’s original and historic features will be repaired while returning the building’s functional, pre-Katrina use as an educational facility.”

“Since taking office on January 10, 2012, we have witnessed the exceptional, cooperative relationship fostered between FEMA and St. Bernard Parish. The Old Historic Courthouse is a perfect example of this relationship,” said St. Bernard Parish President David Peralta. “As this refurbished courthouse nears substantial completion, I would like to thank our local FEMA team for an outstanding job regarding their efforts to preserve this historic landmark, which allows the beautiful Old Beauregard Courthouse to return to its days of glory. This is FEMA at its finest.”

As with all federally funded recovery projects, FEMA ensures that efforts comply with federal environmental and historic preservation laws and Executive Orders.

“FEMA’s recovery grants not only enable new life for damaged facilities, but when applicable, also preserve history—as is the case with this project,” said Cadogan.

FEMA-funded work on the storm-damaged courthouse’s historical features includes the masonry walls; ornamental-stamped, copper cornice; and refurbishment of its original wood windows, wood floors and interior plasterwork.

To date, including this recent grant, FEMA has provided approximately $1.7 billion in public assistance funding for recovery work related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita throughout St. Bernard Parish.

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.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Apr-2012 08:33:21

View original: 

St. Bernard’s Historic Courthouse Restored With FEMA Funding

FEMA Registration Is “Fast And Simple”

Release Date: March 26, 2012
Release Number: 4059-004

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. ­­– President Obama has designated four counties in West Virginia – Lincoln, Marion, Wayne and Logan — as eligible to apply for Individual and Households Assistance to help recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes, high winds and flooding. This means that thousands of families and businesses now can apply for federal support.

Lincoln, Marion and Wayne county residents may qualify for assistance for damages that were sustained from February 29 through March 5, and Logan County residents for damages resulting from the flooding that occurred from March 15 onward.

Homeowners, renters and businesses of any size that have sustained damages are being urged to register immediately with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin the process.

“You absolutely must register with FEMA as the first step in getting help,” FEMA’s Charleston-based Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell said. “Even if you have been in touch with, or signed up with, state or county or local folks, that doesn’t get you registered with FEMA.”

People seeking help need only phone FEMA’s toll-free Help Line at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to speak to a representative and supply some basic information. Operators are standing by from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week, Criswell said. “The process is fast and simple. Even if you are unsure if you qualify, call FEMA and let us determine your eligibility. ”

Registration is also available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. From a cell phone or other PDA, the address is m.fema.gov. Those with hearing or speech disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Applicants should be ready to supply FEMA with his or her current contact information (mailing address, phone number, e-mail address or that of a friend or relative who can find the applicant), a Social Security number of any household member, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of the problems and, if appropriate, any information about insurance coverage one might or might not have. The FEMA representative may ask for some other data, like the number of people residing in the property and the family’s gross annual income. All this information is critical to the process and will be kept in strict confidence by FEMA, Criswell said.

After registering with FEMA, applicants will be given a case number so they can follow the progress of their applications and to use when speaking to other FEMA personnel. To check on the status of one’s application, he or she can call the FEMA Help Line or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. This information will be available after 24 hours of initially registering with FEMA.

Disaster Recovery Centers are now operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at these locations:

Lincoln County
Duval Fire Company
5237 Straightfork Road
Griffithsville, WV

Logan County

Verdunville Volunteer Fire Department
Rte. 5, 2270 Mud Fork Road
Logan, WV

Marion County
City Public Safety Office
500 Quincy Street
Fairmont, WV

Wayne County
Cabwaylingo Presbyterian Church
1475 Left Fork Dunlow Bypass Road
Dunlow, WV

Wayne County Health Department
217 Kenova Ave.
Wayne, WV

FEMA will send the applicant a copy of his or her application and some printed material to help explain the full process. These publications are available in English and Spanish.

Then an inspector will phone to arrange for a time and date when the property in question can be looked at and damages assessed. These inspectors are FEMA contractors who carry an official FEMA identification. Under no circumstances will any inspector ask for money or any other consideration to do his job. (It’s a good idea to note the inspector’s name and badge number.) Inspectors file their reports but do not decide on the applicants’ eligibility for assistance, according to FEMA officials.

The applicant must be present when the inspector arrives and be able to provide proof that he or she is the owner or renter of the property that was damaged and that it is the owner’s or renter’s primary residence.

Also on hand at the Disaster Recovery Centers are representatives from the Small Business Administration, SBA spokesman Michael Lampton said. These personnel can explain the low-interest loan packages available to individuals, private nonprofits and businesses of any size. The loans are for the repair or replacement of real estate and/or personal property damaged by the storms and related flooding, officials said. People who register with FEMA may be sent a loan application from the SBA. No one is obligated to take out a loan, according to the SBA, but filling out the application is essential for potentially qualifying for further assistance.

Applicants are urged to visit any Disaster Recovery Center after they go through the entire registration process. There they can get guidance on disaster recovery, clarify any letters or calls they may have received from FEMA and can also confer with SBA representatives.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 17:09:06

See more here:

FEMA Registration Is “Fast And Simple”

View this article – 

Federal Aid Programs For The State Of West Virginia Disaster Recovery

President Declares Disaster For West Virginia 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-025

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides

» En Español

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of West Virginia and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides beginning on March 15, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Logan county.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides in the counties of Lincoln, Logan, and Mingo.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Deanne Criswell has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Criswell said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance starting tomorrow by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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

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

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

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 22:58:11

Read more – 

President Declares Disaster For West Virginia

 Page 26 of 26  « First  ... « 22  23  24  25  26