program - femacontract.com

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Receives A Nearly $1.5 Million FEMA Grant to Address Volunteer Firefighter Health

DENTON, Texas — The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at Houston has received nearly $1.5 million in preparedness funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the health of volunteer firefighters.

The UT Health Science Center at Houston will use the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant to assess the effectiveness of an internet-based firefighter health and wellness program for volunteer fire departments. A national sample of volunteer fire departments will be recruited for a six-month-long study that will focus on nutrition and fitness for the firefighters. Modifications will be made to the program based on the study findings.

“Volunteer firefighters are integral to the firefighting profession and to the communities they support,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are proud to be a part of this important effort to boost their health and well-being.”

FP&S grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. These grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and protect firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations. For more information about FP&S grants, visit http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program/fire-p….

###

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 http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

FEMA Awards $1,248,151 Grant to the City of Lancaster: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to construct a storm water improvement system

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $1,248,151 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Lancaster in Fairfield County, Ohio, for the improvement of a storm water system in the neighborhood near Glassco Park.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V acting regional administrator Janet Odeshoo. “This project will reduce flood damage to nearby homes and lessen the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“The storm water improvement project and projects like this one are the cornerstone of disaster prevention efforts and illustrate the importance of local, state and federal government working together for the benefit of citizens,” said Nancy Dragani, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $1,248,151 of the $2,637,078 eligible project cost. The remaining funds, $1,388,927, will be provided by the state of Ohio and the city of Lancaster’s Storm Water Fund.

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

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

###

Original source:

FEMA Awards $1,248,151 Grant to the City of Lancaster: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to construct a storm water improvement system

Farmers and Gardeners: Prepare Now to Weather the Whims of Mother Nature

EATONTOWN, N.J. — New Jersey comes by its nickname, “The Garden State,” honestly, as the agricultural industry brings more than $987 million into the state’s economy. The state is among the top ten producers of cranberries, peaches, spinach, bell peppers, blueberries, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes in the United States, according to the New Jersey Farm Service Agency.

Commercial farms and home gardens alike present similar challenges when natural disasters are a threat. The flat, open land that crops grow in and animals graze on has few natural defenses against flooding, and any tall buildings on farmland, such as barns and silos, can be vulnerable to lightning strikes.

While the average home garden doesn’t have the same scope of a large farm, owners of both can use similar methods to protect their crops, livestock and property from the impact of a natural disaster.

Take a full inventory of everything: livestock, equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, other chemicals and fuel. Animals should be tagged so they can be returned if they get lost or hurt during an incident. Have sandbags and plastic sheeting on hand to cover and protect crops and garden plots in case of flooding. Use wire and rope to secure objects, and lumber and plywood to protect windows. Put a fire extinguisher in every building and vehicle on your property.

Choose a safe, flood-proof location to store extra fuel for tractors and vehicles, food and water for livestock, and a gas-powered generator in case of power failure. Make sure that electrical power to flood-prone machines and structures can be easily turned off. Have hand tools accessible to assist in preparation and recovery.

If you are in a particularly flood-prone area, figure out escape routes for livestock to get to higher ground. Also, keep them out of barns that may flood, as their natural instinct is to seek shelter in a barn during an emergency.

In the aftermath of a disaster, report leaks of any hazardous materials (pesticides, fuel, fertilizer and other chemicals) to authorities. Check your utilities for signs of damage, and contact your utility company before turning anything back on. Spray surviving livestock with insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes, and have all animals checked for infectious diseases such as pneumonia or foot rot.

Test the soil, especially in smaller gardens and flower beds. It is recommended that flooded areas not be planted again for at least 30 to 60 days. Before replanting, make sure the soil is dry and has been reworked. Salt water can get washed up by waves and storm surge and get into the soil and on plants and trees, causing leaves to brown and damaging roots and buds. The damage salt spray can do to plants can last for several years.

Dispose of any leafy green vegetables and any other crops with edible parts that were touched by flood water. Affected root vegetables can be sanitized for consumption by rinsing them and soaking them in a bleach/water solution.

Once a disaster happens, the Farm Service Agency offers loans to farm owners to cover repairs/replacements and working capital. Contact the local Disaster Recovery Center after an incident for information, or visit a local FSA office. Farmers can also contact the Department of Agriculture’s Extension Service for more information and materials on how they can protect themselves from disasters.

The FSA has several financial programs to help farmers in the event of a disaster.

The Emergency Conservation Program provides emergency funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by wind erosion, floods, or other disasters.

The Emergency Haying and Grazing Assistance Program coordinates emergency hay placement and grazing of certain Conservation Reserve Program acreage in areas suffering from weather-related disasters at the discretion of either the state or national FSA.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program covers non-insurable crop losses caused by low yields, inventory loss or inability to plant crops due to a disaster.

The Emergency Loan Assistance Program provides emergency loans to help livestock producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, floods, other natural disasters, or quarantine. Contact your local Farm Service Agency for more information about these programs.

The Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension Service has information on home gardening and commercial agriculture, and has offices in every county in New Jersey. For general advice on preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

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 to original:

Farmers and Gardeners: Prepare Now to Weather the Whims of Mother Nature

NFIP Extends Flood Claim Period by 30 Days

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The National Flood Insurance Program has extended the time period for filing flood claims for policyholders who experienced flooding during the April 28 through May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.

The NFIP normally requires flood claims to be filed within 60 days of the date of loss. However, NFIP is waiving this requirement and extending the deadline by 30 days for the 2014 mid-spring storms that began on April 28. This extension includes policyholders in Alabama.

The waiver applies to Standard Flood Insurance Policies issued directly by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or by private insurance companies participating in the NFIP’s Write Your Own Program.

A policyholder with a flood loss that occurred on April 28, 2014 now has until July 27, 2014 to file a claim.

Please note — the extended deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance and the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans remains the same – Tuesday, July 15.

Flood insurance policyholders should contact their agents or insurance companies to file a claim. An adjuster from the insurance company should contact you within a few days of filing a claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, call your insurance agent or company again.

When calling, make sure to have the following information at hand:

The name of your insurance company.
Your policy number.
A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times.

Remember, a flood insurance policy is usually separate from your homeowner’s policy, which in most cases does not pay for flood claims.

Your adjuster will need to see evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

Take photographs of all damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage and standing floodwater levels.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value and receipts, if possible.
Officials may require disposal of damaged items, so if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

Finally, your adjuster will provide you with a Proof of Loss form for your official claims for damages. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program or insurance company can make a payment.

You will receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss form. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments due to the sheer number of claims submitted.

For general flood insurance questions, call the National Flood Insurance Call Center at 800-427-4661 directly, or through 711 Relay, or contact your insurance company or agent.

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/. For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

See the original article here:

NFIP Extends Flood Claim Period by 30 Days

National Flood Insurance Program Deadline Extended for Filing Claims

NEW YORK – FEMA has granted a six-month extension for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders affected by Hurricane Sandy to file proof-of-loss claims.

The deadline is Oct. 29, 2014.

NFIP usually requires policyholders to submit a fully documented, signed and sworn proof-of-loss claim within 60 days from the date of their loss.

The magnitude of the Sandy disaster is the reason for this extension that will give policyholders additional time to file claims. This is the third six-month extension.

The Proof of Loss document is included in the claims package that documents flood losses. The claims package should include:

• photos and/or video of the flooding and resulting damage

• a comprehensive, itemized list of what was damaged

• receipts, if possible, for damaged items along with any other supporting documents showing the value of what you lost

To download a blank NFIP Proof of Loss document: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2545

Read this article:

National Flood Insurance Program Deadline Extended for Filing Claims

Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As America celebrates the anniversary of its birth, many Alabama residents are still picking up the pieces of their lives, homes and businesses from spring storms.

This year’s holiday marks the two-month anniversary of the devastating severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that raked the state from April 28 through May 5.

Disaster recovery efforts continue as the focus changes from cleanup to rebuilding. State and federal disaster assistance now exceeds $32 million for households, individuals and businesses of the nine counties affected. Of that total, nearly $13 million have gone to survivors in the form of U.S. Small Business Administration loans and another $19 million in other FEMA grants.

Counties eligible for disaster assistance include: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

With the application deadline now extended through Tuesday, July 15, state and federal officials expect to see the number of applications for assistance continue to increase.

At peak operations, in mid-May, more than 415 state and federal employees from across the country were working to meet the needs of disaster survivors who have registered for FEMA assistance. As of July 2, more than 18,000 residents have applied.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited more than 8,000 Alabama homes to provide information on registering for federal aid, guide people in the registration process and follow-up on pre- or post-disaster needs.

To date, nearly 15,000 homes impacted by the disaster have been inspected for damages with a two day turnaround from the time of application to inspection.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is only one part of a large team that continues to bring resources to assist communities. This team includes coordinated efforts between federal, state, local, nonprofit, private sector and faith-based organizations.

Some partners opened shelters and provided food while others offered low-interest disaster assistance loans for rebuilding.

Serve Alabama, a state agency set up by Gov. Robert Bentley that works to increase volunteerism in the state, has coordinated the work of volunteer agencies after this disaster. As of mid-May the agency recorded that 3,048 volunteers from numerous organizations throughout the country had donated nearly 22,000 hours to help survivors clean up debris, repair and rebuild their homes following the spring storms.

“It takes many agencies, government and private, as well as many individuals to help a community and its residents recover,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis. “And Alabama will recover and become safer and stronger for the long run.”

With debris removal nearing completion, FEMA has turned its attention to advising home and business owners of methods to repair and rebuild that can help reduce damages during future storms.

FEMA’s mitigation outreach at Lowe’s and Home Depot home improvement stores throughout the month of June helped to answer questions and give advice to 1,500 shoppers. One of the most frequently asked questions was how to prevent future damage.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is in the process of reviewing grant applications for publicly owned facilities and storm-damaged infrastructure in the 21 counties. More than 105 Kick Off meetings with cities, communities and state applicants have been held to assess the needs, discuss disaster related damage and develop a plan of action for the facilities.

Grant money is flowing to state, county and local governments through PA reimbursement programs. Obligated funding includes nearly $500,000 for debris removal and nearly $342,000 to cover expenses related to storm response. Another nearly $285,000 has been obligated for reimbursement of infrastructure repair work.

An estimated $30 million in repairs and rebuilding infrastructure is anticipated for Alabama.

These grants provide at least 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency measures and permanent restoration. The state and local government evenly split the remaining 25 percent.

“We are proud to partner with FEMA and pleased by its rapid response and assistance following this disaster,” said Alabama’s State Coordinating Officer, Jeff Byard. “Much work remains, but thanks to all of our partners, we have come a long way.”

###

Read this article:

Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

Don’t Delay, Register Today

Don’t Delay, Register Today

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Governor Robert Bentley requested and FEMA approved on Friday, June 27, to extend the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in the nine counties affected by the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. The new deadline is Tuesday, July 15.

Counties approved for FEMA assistance through the Individuals and Households Program include Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

If you, a family member or a neighbor haven’t registered yet, this extension is for you. But don’t delay registration any longer. There are four ways to register:

Online at: www.disasterassistance.gov ;
Web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov;
Calling 800-621-3362 TTY 800-462-7585;
If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s deadline to apply for disaster recovery loans also has been extended to July 15.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are located at:

Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main Street, Elberta, AL 36540;
Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532;
Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL 36608.

Homeowners, renters and businesses can apply for an SBA disaster loan at the centers, which are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through July 15. The centers will be closed Friday, July 4. FEMA representatives are located at these centers to answer questions.

Survivors also can go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

###

Continue at source –

Don’t Delay, Register Today

Federal Aid for Alabama Reaches $32 Million; Registration Extension Approved

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Nearly $19 million has been approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individuals and Households Program. Another $1.3 million has been provided to state, county and local governments through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $12 million through its low-interest disaster loan program.

In addition, Gov. Robert Bentley has requested and FEMA has approved a two-week extension to the registration period, which now extends to July 15.

The following numbers, compiled June 26, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:

Funds approved

$15.4 million for Housing Assistance grants to help with recovery rental expenses and home repair costs.
$3.5 million for Other Needs Assistance to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
$12.6 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.
$1.3 million for Public Assistance programs including debris removal, storm response and infrastructure repair and replacement.

Survivor Recovery

14,819 damaged homes and property have been inspected (99 percent of requests).
4,592 visits have been made to the 11 Disaster Recovery Centers located in designated counties. (All centers have closed; five have transitioned to Disaster Loan Outreach Centers, operated by the SBA.)
9 counties designated for Individual Assistance.
21 counties designated for Public Assistance.

FEMA works with many volunteer agencies and the private sector to speed the recovery effort. Those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding need to register with FEMA for disaster assistance.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance status, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Operators are multilingual. TTY 800-462-7585.
By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

County-by-County approved breakdown of Individual Assistance:

County	Approved Registrations	Housing Assistance	Other Needs Assistance
Baldwin	1,917	$7,164,399.24	$1,258,250.56
Blount	24	138,544.00	9,989.77
DeKalb	25	71,001.00	20,674.77
Etowah	56	427,281.66	52,307.04
Jefferson	414	1,062,242.26	188,515.45
Lee	52	262,661.60	54,150.10
Limestone	291	908,563.24	481,081.43
Mobile	3,836	5,098,724.85	1,458,655.89
Tuscaloosa	59	270,328.58	66,951.64
Total:	6,674	$15,403,746.43	$3,590,576.65

Recovery officials urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close contact with FEMA throughout the recovery process. This is especially true during the first weeks after registering when FEMA housing inspectors must contact applicants to view damages. Those with mobile phones should provide that number to FEMA during the registration.

Affected survivors and business owners in the nine designated counties may apply for assistance from FEMA and/or the SBA. Those counties are: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers, operated by the SBA to assist survivors with questions about federal loans, are located in Baldwin and Mobile counties. These offices are located at:

Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main Street, Elberta, AL 36540.
Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532.
Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL 36608.

These facilities, which also are staffed with a FEMA specialist, are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Tuesday, July 15. Outreach centers will be closed Friday, July 4.

View the original here –

Federal Aid for Alabama Reaches $32 Million; Registration Extension Approved

FEMA Awards $307,275 Grant to Village of Hamburg: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish six flood prone structures

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $307,275 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the Village of Hamburg, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of six residential structures in the Mississippi River floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Acting Administrator Janet Odeshoo. “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“In the past six years, Hamburg has experienced two major floods that almost reached the levels of the Great Flood of 1993,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “Removing these homes from the floodplain will enable these homeowners to move to higher ground and avoid heartache and property loss the next time the Mississippi River floods this area.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $409,700 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $102,425 will be provided by non-federal sources.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

###

Continue reading:

FEMA Awards $307,275 Grant to Village of Hamburg: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish six flood prone structures

One Year Later: Rebuilding Better and Stronger

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – One year has passed since the thunder of ballistic ice loomed over several Interior Alaskan communities that witnessed record-level floods in May 2013. Today, the sound of hammers, saws and power tools heralds in the start of construction season as volunteers and residents work to complete recovery efforts initiated last summer in Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak and Galena.

“Getting survivors back into their homes has been the joint goal,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Willie G. Nunn. “Despite last year’s short construction season, 116 homes were repaired or rebuilt by survivors and skilled volunteers. This summer, 48 homes will be repaired or rebuilt by skilled volunteers in four communities.”

Volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission have been in Galena since early June. In addition to Alakanuk, Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers will begin work in Circle with the assistance of Amish volunteers later this month. Disciples of Christ volunteers arrive in Emmonak in mid-July.

State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher added that a number of homes in Galena are being elevated to 136.5 feet to withstand future flooding, well above the local ordinance and three feet above the 2013 flood level.

According to Fisher, in addition to extensive support from the State of Alaska, federal assistance to eligible individuals and communities has surpassed $27.5 million.

“The collective efforts of the skilled volunteers, the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local officials who have been part of the recovery effort should help ensure the long-term sustainability of the affected Bush communities whose roots run deep along the banks of the Yukon,” Fisher said.

Federal Assistance by the Numbers:

Individual Assistance $ 3.49 million

U.S. Small Business Administration $ 4.10 million

Public Assistance $ 17.30 million

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program $ 2.65 million

Visit link:

One Year Later: Rebuilding Better and Stronger

Page 16 of 36 « First ... « 14 15 16 17 18 » ... Last »