Flood Maps Become Final in May for Socorro County, New Mexico

DENTON, Texas ––New flood maps for Socorro County will become effective in May and be used for rating flood insurance policies. Local, state and federal officials encourage residents to view the maps before May 2, 2016, in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance. New flood risk maps have been created for the city of Socorro, unincorporated areas of Socorro County, and communities in the Navajo Nation and Pueblo of Acoma within the boundaries of Socorro County.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. People without flood insurance, whether through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program, risk uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. The NFIP is a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “We all need to prepare for the hazards and risks in our communities. The first step in taking the appropriate actions to prepare for flooding is to know your risk,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

Contact the local floodplain administrator to learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer your questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. 

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. The purchase of insurance should be considered for those newly mapped into a Special Flood Hazard Area before the maps become effective. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your area.

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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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov. 

Continued: 

Flood Maps Become Final in May for Socorro County, New Mexico

How Texans Can Volunteer and Donate Responsibly

AUSTIN, Texas — In the face of disaster, Texans have 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 to do after a disaster— cleaning-up and rebuilding are two of the biggest. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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 volunteers in the long and difficult recovery phase. In addition, volunteering through an established organization provides a better chance of having insurance and liability protection when you work as a volunteer.

The Texas chapter of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is a good source of local organizations in need of volunteers. Texas VOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental groups that include volunteer engagement as a key component of their operations.

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. Remember to be patient. It may not be clear until days 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.

Texans can learn more about volunteering and the benefits of volunteering during a disaster by viewing a video at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/112533 .

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 voluntary 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
  • Cash donations to recognized relief organizations are tax-deductible.

Showing up at a disaster site unexpectedly can create an additional burden for first responders. Volunteering and donating through existing channels, and making responsible decisions that do not hamper the recovery, is the best way to be of service.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

See original – 

How Texans Can Volunteer and Donate Responsibly

Disaster Aid for June Storms in South Dakota Tops $3.4 Million

PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SDOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that more than $3.4 million in disaster aid has been approved to help communities in twelve counties and three tribal nations in South Dakota recover from a series of June storms.  Those storms caused a swath of damage that stretched from southwest South Dakota through the center of the state.

According to South Dakota Director of Emergency Management Tina Titze, 26 applicants including the City of Pierre, West Central Electric Cooperative, and the Crow Creek, Lower Brule and Oglala Sioux tribal governments are receiving reimbursements for disaster costs and debris cleanup.  Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley added, “Under the presidential disaster declaration FEMA reimburses applicants for not less than 75 percent of eligible recovery costs and the state of South Dakota contributes an additional 10 percent cost share.”

On July 30, 2015 President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state making Brule, Buffalo, Fall River, Haakon, Hughes, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Lyman, McCook, Oglala Lakota and Stanley counties  as well as the Crow Creek Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux  and Oglala Sioux tribal nations eligible for federal disaster aid.  The presidential declaration came in response to a request from Governor Dennis Daugaard following the June storms. 

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

This article:

Disaster Aid for June Storms in South Dakota Tops $3.4 Million

SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Austin; Del Valle DRC to Close

AUSTIN, Texas—The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801Ainez Dr., Austin, TX 78744 in Travis County, will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) for five days only, beginning Monday, Jan. 11.

The Travis County DRC, located at the Elroy Community Library, 13512 FM 812, Del Valle, TX 78617, will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9.

The Dove Springs DRC in Austin will remain open until 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9. The DLOC will be open for business, at the same address, Jan. 11 to Jan. 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Representatives from the SBA will be available at the DLOC to meet individually with residents and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31. They will answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications and close their approved disaster loans.

DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. The centers serve as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

Visiting a DRC is not required to register for FEMA assistance. Those with questions regarding the application process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors also may use any one of several nearby DRCs that remain open. Visit FEMA’s DRC locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm to find the center nearest to them.

Specialists from the State of Texas, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are available at DRCs to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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

See original article: 

SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Austin; Del Valle DRC to Close

Receive Disaster Assistance from FEMA? Texans Should Spend Wisely & Well

AUSTIN, Texas ─ Disaster Assistance grants should be used only for disaster-related expenses. That’s the word from state emergency management officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA recommends money received for repairs to your home due to damage caused by October’s severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding should be used right away. While the assistance is tax free and the grants do not have to be repaid, survivors are reminded to use their funds wisely and solely for recovery.

When a grant is awarded, FEMA sends a letter listing examples of approved uses that include home repair, rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily, and other disaster-related expenses. These include repair or replacement of a flooded essential vehicle or medical care for an injury caused by the disaster. Disaster grants should not be used for regular living expenses, such as utility bills or food, medical or dental expenses not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment, or any other discretionary expenses not disaster-related.

“It’s important that individuals who suffered damages spend the money according to their specific grant,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes. “A letter explaining the purpose for the grant will be sent to the applicant.”

FEMA advises survivors to read the letter carefully, as it explains ways in which the grant money should be used. Recipients are advised to keep receipts from all purchases to show how funds were spent.

Home repair grants and rental assistance from FEMA does not require applicants to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that may cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants, such as childcare, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.

Survivors with questions regarding their application or who have not yet registered for assistance should visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Link:  

Receive Disaster Assistance from FEMA? Texans Should Spend Wisely & Well

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Mississippi

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Mississippi.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants to 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.   (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.  (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Affected individuals and business owners in designated areas can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  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 and phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local and Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, territory administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, local and tribal governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Application procedures for state, local and tribal governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts 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.

Original article: 

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Mississippi

SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Navarro County

AUSTIN, Texas—The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Navarro County will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC), over the New Year holiday weekend.

The Navarro County DRC, located at the Navarro Center Mall, 800 N. Main St., Corsicana, will remain open until 2 p.m., Dec. 31. The DLOC will open for business on Jan. 4 at the same address. Normal hours of operation at the DLOC will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Representatives from the SBA will be available at the DLOC to meet individually with residents and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31. They will answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications and close their approved disaster loans.

All State/FEMA DRCs in Texas will close for the day at 2 p.m., Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1 to Jan. 3 for the New Year holiday.

Visiting a DRC is not required to register for FEMA assistance. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, except Jan. 1. Multilingual operators are available.

# # #

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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

Visit site:  

SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Navarro County

FEMA Public Assistance Added for 16 Texas Counties

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal disaster assistance to Texas for the October severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding has been expanded to include 16 counties in Texas for FEMA Public Assistance (PA).

Eleven counties designated for PA, including Bastrop, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson Counties, already are designated for Individual Assistance in the Nov. 25 disaster declaration. Five additional counties, including Bosque, Hill, Jasper, Newton and Walker Counties, have been approved for PA only.

Local and state government agencies, and certain private nonprofit organizations such as utilities and schools, in PA designated counties may now request supplementary FEMA PA reimbursements for disaster repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other eligible facilities affected in the Oct. 22 to Oct. 31 storms event.

FEMA reimburses a minimum of 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects, which can include debris removal and emergency protective services, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster.

Applicants apply through the state using a one-page Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form alerting FEMA that an applicant will seek assistance from the agency. State Public Assistance personnel will conduct briefings for applicants on how to prepare projects for submission.

FEMA ensures that all projects meet environmental quality standards and gives final approval for all projects. The federal share goes directly to the state, with the applicant paying the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to eligible applicants when documentation is complete.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit our disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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.

Excerpt from – 

FEMA Public Assistance Added for 16 Texas Counties

A Few More Days to Register for FEMA Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C.  – A few days remain for South Carolina residents affected by Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding to apply for federal disaster assistance.

The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Jan. 3, 2016. Because the deadline falls on a Sunday, FEMA will accept registrations through the following business day, Monday, Jan. 4. That also is the deadline for returning the disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applicants are not required to accept a loan, if offered, but returning the completed application may lead to other grant assistance from FEMA.

Survivors who sustained losses in the 24 designated counties can apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline toll-free 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711/Video Relay Service  800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day and will be closed New Year’s Day.

Assistance can include money for temporary rental assistance for homeowners and renters, financial assistance for disaster-related homeowners, essential home repairs for primary homes, personal property losses, and other needs such as medical, dental, funeral and transportation expenses.

When registering, survivors must provide information such as date of loss, loss descriptions, Social Security number, current mailing address and damaged home address, including ZIP codes, telephone numbers, insurance information, the names of household members at the time of the disaster and bank account information if they want to have money deposited directly if found eligible.

Homeowners may be eligible to receive SBA low-interest loans of up to $200,000 for flood-related repairs to their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal items such as appliances, furniture and vehicles. Businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace flood-damaged property. Eligible applicants may be able to borrow money from the SBA before insurance claim decisions.

For information about SBA disaster loans, survivors may visit the SBA website sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-659-2955. Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

 

Survivors can call the FEMA helpline to:

  • Register for federal assistance. Households should register only once.
  • Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. All applicants may appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get questions answered about federal disaster assistance and the application process.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

As of Dec. 27, 2015, FEMA has inspected 81,283 structures and approved $78 million in disaster assistance to 26,108 eligible applicants.

 

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Originally posted here:

A Few More Days to Register for FEMA Assistance

Public-Private Partnership Conference held in New Orleans

WASHINGTON – This week, the Fifth Annual Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships Conference was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The conference was hosted this year by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and brought together innovators from the private sector, nonprofits, and state, local, and tribal governments to pursue strategies to build a more resilient nation.

Each year, the conference attracts hundreds of participants who look to promote innovation in furthering ongoing partnerships and resiliency.  Key topics of discussion included: Executive Perspectives on Investing in Business Resilience; Harnessing Technology to Positively Disrupt the Status Quo; The Smart City of 2025: Innovations for a Resilient Future;  and action planning sessions to include Addressing Cyber Threats Now and into the Future and Disaster Collaboration Simulation Exercise.

The conference was held in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the National Protection and Programs Directorate and Private Sector Office, and North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command and in collaboration with the American Logistics Aid Network, the American Red Cross, Business Forward, Business Executives for National Security, National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center.

Leaders from government, private sector and non-profits discussed the importance of strong partnerships across the whole community, and spoke about how their relationships helped to get the right resources to people in need more quickly.  Exercises held during the week further exposed opportunities for conference participants to make new partnerships and better understand the resources and expertise that different organizations can offer throughout disaster response and recovery efforts.

Speakers included:  FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate;  U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector, José Raúl Perales;  DHS Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Caitlin Durkovich,; FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, Roy Wright; FEMA Director, Office of External Affairs, Josh Batkin; DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Bob Kolasky; and American Red Cross, Senior Vice President, Disaster Cycle Services, Richard Reed.  

 “The private sector is an essential member of the team,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The more resilient businesses are, the quicker they can recover and provide critical goods and services to help their communities rebuild. Fostering strong working relationships between the private sector, emergency management, and the whole community is great business for everyone, especially the disaster survivor.”

With this public-private partnership approach, conference partners committed to taking action and promoting information sharing to facilitate greater understanding of the whole community roles and better leverage existing programs to promote meaningful outcomes to drive resiliency.

Conference participants took away concrete action plans and a collection of shared resources that they can implement immediately to further their organization’s resilience and nurture new partnerships. The development of a public-private sector national framework for information sharing and a public-private sector model to facilitate successful partnerships at all levels are an example of the commitments made. FEMA and its Private Sector Division are committed to leading the charge on continued identification of solutions to coordination gaps and strengthen the understanding of roles between the public and private sectors to build national resilience and successful public-private partnerships.

For additional information, visit the 2015 Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships Conference page and follow the conversation at:  #PPPWayForward.

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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 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.

Link: 

Public-Private Partnership Conference held in New Orleans

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