National PrepareAthon! Day: Take Action and Be Disaster Ready

CHICAGO –Join National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 and take action to improve your family’s emergency preparedness and resilience to potential disasters.

“Disaster risks in the Midwest can range from severely cold temperatures, to high heat, severe storms and flooding. It’s important to understand each of these risks and what you and your family will need to do to stay safe,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Be proactive, and engage your family, friends and neighbors in one of the many simple ways to prepare for emergencies.”

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit your city and/or county website to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. You should also ensure your cell phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area. Remember, warning sirens are intended for outdoor notification. When indoors, your alert-enabled smart phone or weather radio can provide you with critical alerts.
• Develop and test emergency communications plans. Visit www.Ready.gov/plan-for-your-risks for tips on how to ensure your plan is as comprehensive as possible.
• Assemble or update emergency supplies. Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit for a disaster supply checklist. Don’t forget to store additional supply kits in your car and at the office.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents. Make copies of important documents (mortgage papers, deed, passport, bank information, etc.). Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, such as a bank safe deposit box.
• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards. Discuss with your insurance agent the risks that may threaten your home and the types of coverage you may need to ensure your property is adequately insured.
• Download the FEMA app to your smartphone. You’ll receive alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the U.S. and have access to information about how to stay safe.

America’s PrepareAthon! is a grassroots campaign developed to encourage individuals, organizations and communities to prepare for specific hazards through drills, group discussions and exercises. More information about the ways to participate and register is available at www.Ready.gov/prepare. For even more readiness information, follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and facebook.com/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.

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.
 

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

Link: 

National PrepareAthon! Day: Take Action and Be Disaster Ready

Texas Receives More Than $2.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Fire departments and cities in Texas have received more than $2.2 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Since August, the grants have been awarded in 16 counties across the state, paying for everything from firefighting equipment to fire vehicles. Here’s how the grants break down by county:

Anderson County:
•    City of Palestine Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $170,667

Caldwell County:
•    Mic-County Volunteer Fire Department in Lockhart – communications equipment – $399,637

Collin County:
•    Anna Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $28,572

Cooke County:
•    Muenster Volunteer Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $78,572

Dallas County:
•    Garland Fire Department – simulators and other equipment – $18,730

Fort Bend County:
•    City of Stafford – firefighting equipment – $152,728

Gregg County:
•    Kilgore Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $158,364

Grayson County:
•    Van Alstyne Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $33,387

Harris County:
•    City of Webster – thermal imaging camera – $23,620
•    Eastex Freeway Volunteer Fire Department – communications equipment – $73,119

Hunt County:
•    Cash Fire Department Assoc., Inc. in Greenville – $71,760

Kaufman County:
•    City of Terrell Fire Department – firefighting and exercise equipment – $246,215

Kleberg County:
•    Kingsville Fire Department – pumper truck – $362,728

McLennan County:
•    Elm Mott Volunteer Fire and Rescue – vehicle extrication equipment – $31,429

Orange County:
•    Orange County Emergency Services District #1 in Vidor – firefighting equipment – $173,993

Tarrant County:
•    Richland Hills Fire Rescue – firefighting equipment – $41,214

Trinity County:
•    Apple Springs Volunteer Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $53,143

Wood County:
•    Quitman Fire & Rescue – firefighting equipment – $111,429

The federal grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders get critically-needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources.

For more information on the AFG program, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant.

Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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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 – 

Texas Receives More Than $2.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

Main Content

Release date:

September 24, 2015

Release Number:

DR-4235-CNMI-0033

SAIPAN, CNMI – The Disability Network Partners on Saipan will be at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Susupe on Sept. 28-30. They will be there to provide extra technical support and resources to individuals with disabilities, senior citizens and their families who are seeking FEMA and or other disaster assistance. They will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is within but not the same hours that the DRC is open.
Representatives from one or more of these groups will be available at the DRC:
-The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)
-The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
-The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
-The Center for Living Independently (CLI)
-The Independent Living Group (ILG)
-State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
-The Autism Society of the CNMI (ASCNMI)
-The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. (NMPASI)
-The VOICES Self Advocacy Group of the CNMI
-The Commonwealth Respite Service Program (CRSP)
-The Trankilu Alternative Financing Program (TAFP)
-The Commonwealth Coalition on Anti-Stigma of Mental Illness (CAMI).
-The CNMI Office of Transportation Authority (COTA)
-Commonwealth Advocates for Relief Efforts (C.A.R.E.)
Anyone needing reasonable accommodation at any time, please call 235-7273/4 or visit NMPASI.

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 Updated:

September 25, 2015 – 14:28

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Related Disaster:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Soudelor

Source: 

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

Hurricane Rita In Texas: 10 Years Later

DENTON, Texas – Texas faced multiple challenges in September 2005. Hurricane Rita made landfall in the state while it was also housing and sheltering Hurricane Katrina evacuees who were displaced less than a month earlier.
More than $1 billion in federal disaster assistance has fueled Texas’ recovery efforts in the last decade. The assistance includes funds to repair and rebuild infrastructure, housing for disaster survivors and mitigating against future disaster events.
A decade ago, many emergency management partners assisted FEMA with the disaster-related events. Local, state and federal government partners, voluntary agencies, private sector entities, nonprofits, community and faith-based groups and individuals made significant contributions.
“Texas benefited immensely from our government and non-government disaster recovery partnerships,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Hurricane Rita devastated southeast Texas and we successfully worked with our partners to rebuild communities to make them stronger.”
Funding includes more than $618.7 million in Individual Assistance grants provided to more than 252,000 individuals and families affected by Hurricanes Rita in Texas. The funds helped survivors by providing temporary housing and grants for disaster-related losses while they rebuilt their lives.
The total also includes approximately $361.9 million in Public Assistance reimbursements to the state and local governments, and eligible nonprofit organizations; and more than $89.4 million for mitigation projects to build stronger, safer and more resilient communities.
Some of this funding included:
•    Nearly $48.9 million for debris removal;
•    Almost $265.2 million for emergency protective measures, such as labor, equipment and materials to reduce threats to lives;
•    More than $134.2 million for permanent work, including the repair of roads, water control facilities, public and non-profit buildings and utilities and parks.
Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation projects, in conjunction with FEMA’s state and local partners, continue to move forward to help Texas storm-ravaged communities meet the challenges of repairing and rebuilding damaged and destroyed infrastructure.
While Texas was preparing for Hurricane Rita’s landfall, it also had begun assisting with emergency sheltering and housing for displaced Hurricane Katrina survivors. The state received more than $500 million from FEMA to cover costs including opening more than 200 shelters, transportation services, overtime costs for emergency operations centers and medical care.    
“Texas has overcome so much since Hurricane Rita,” Robinson said. “The storm devastated so much here the same time it was helping survivors from other parts of the country following Hurricane Katrina. Thankfully, these federal disaster dollars have made Texas stronger than ever and make it better prepared for future disaster events.”

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.

More here: 

Hurricane Rita In Texas: 10 Years Later

Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in St. Mary Parish in Louisiana Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters, and business owners in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana are encouraged to review newly revised preliminary flood maps to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Local officials from St. Mary Parish, the state of Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the revised preliminary maps to communities in order to help leaders and residents identify flood risks. This information can then be used to make decisions about buying flood insurance. These data also help the community move forward with any future development plans.

“We hope everyone reviews the maps to understand what their flood risks are,” said Region 6 Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “The community’s active participation in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) or follow the links below:

•    To view the preliminary maps online visit: http://maps.riskmap6.com/LA/StMary/
•    To use a live chat service visit go.usa.gov/r6C.  Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
•    To contact a FEMA Map Specialist call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contact a local insurance agent to learn more.  Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your area.

 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.

Continue at source:  

Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in St. Mary Parish in Louisiana Ready for Public View

September is National Preparedness Month: Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

DENTON, Texas – “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.” That’s the message emergency managers are sharing with people all over Texas and beyond during the month of September.

September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 Office is urging everyone to take steps to make a plan and know what to do during an emergency.

Whether you deal with the possible threats of flooding, wildfires, hurricanes or power outages, the preparedness steps to take are the same. They include:

•    Knowing your risk for where you live;
•    Having an individual and family preparedness plan in place;
•    Practicing that plan;
•    Putting together an emergency kit with water and non-perishable supplies to last for at least three days for you, your family and your pets;
•    Ensuring that your contact list is up-to-date for people you may need to reach out to during a disaster; and
•    Establishing alternative methods of communication in case traditional means are not available.

Additionally, September 30 is National PrepareAthon! Day. You are encouraged to participate by doing a simple, specific action or activity to improve your preparedness and your family’s preparedness; or it can be something more elaborate that involves your neighborhood, your place of worship, your entire workplace or your community.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.ready.gov/prepare for more information on America’s PrepareAthon! You can find tools to stage your own emergency preparedness drills, as well as register any preparedness activities for you or your community.  

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

 

This article is from:  

September is National Preparedness Month: Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

Preliminary Flood Maps in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas are encouraged to look over newly-released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the revised preliminary maps to communities in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks in their area. Residents and business owners can use this information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and other building decisions. Community leaders can use this information to identify how the community should move forward with any development.    

“We have worked with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county and hope that everyone reviews the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “It is very important to have the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process.”

To view the revised flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator who may be located at City Hall or the local county government building. You can also visit http://msc.fema.gov/portal or http://maps.riskmap6.com.  To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

 

See more here: 

Preliminary Flood Maps in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas Ready for Public View

Arlington Group Receives 2015 FEMA Community Preparedness Honorable Mention Award

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recognized the Arlington Christian Disaster Network’s accomplishments in coordinating preparedness and emergency response efforts. The group received an honorable mention for Excellence in Volunteer Sustainability in the 2015 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards.

FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson and Region 6 Federal Preparedness Coordinator Randy Meshell presented the award during a recent ceremony at the Arlington Emergency Operations Center.

“Arlington Christian Disaster Network has utilized key partnerships to offer volunteer reception, shelters and emergency preparedness support in countless ways that will benefit Arlington citizens and visitors for years to come,” Robinson said. “I applaud the efforts of both the Arlington Office of Emergency Management and the Arlington Christian Disaster Network for coming together to address the need to coordinate the preparedness and emergency response efforts in your community.”

Among the group’s accomplishments:

  • Bringing together 17 local faith-based organizations to coordinate resources to serve the Arlington community.

  • Recruiting members and managing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program.

  • Responsible for an additional 55 trained individuals to complement the Arlington CERT program.

  • Providing CERT train-the-trainers and instructors to Arlington Office of Emergency Management.

Each year FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division recognizes the preparedness efforts of organizations around the country. This year, 138 organizations applied for recognition. There were 11 award winners and 37 honorable mentions.

The categories are:  

  • Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award

  • Community Preparedness Heroes

  • Awareness to Action 

  • Technological Innovation

  • Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness

  • Preparing the Whole Community

  • Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives

  • Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program

  • Excellence in Volunteer Sustainability

Several other groups in Texas and Louisiana received awards and recognition as well:

  • New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps won the award for Outstanding Citizen Corps Program.

  • Mart High School Teen CERT, near Waco, Texas, received two honorable mentions: Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness and Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiative.

  • The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana received an honorable mention in the category of Technological Innovations.

Visit www.ready.gov/citizen-corps/citizen-corps-awards for more information on this year’s award recipients and honorable mentions.

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

                                                      

Continue reading:  

Arlington Group Receives 2015 FEMA Community Preparedness Honorable Mention Award

FEMA Region III Releases Preparedness Infographics

PHILADELPHIA – FEMA Region III has created four new infographics to promote individual and community preparedness. Infographics can be used in many different ways to help reach multiple audiences and guide action. We encourage everyone to use, share and promote these vibrant visual tools. Each infographic focuses on a specific topic:

Protect against a Flood Infographic. If you live in a flood prone area, taking protective measures is a must in order to protect your house and valuables. This image focuses on ways you can make your home more resilient to floods. This infographic can enhance a community newsletter or email. Download at  http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108453.

Pet Preparedness Infographic. A significant number of families have pets who also need to be ready for a disaster. We encourage everyone to take simple steps to prepare their pets, including building a pet preparedness kit and having a pet-friendly plan for disasters. This infographic is perfect for pet stores and veterinarian offices as it promotes pet preparedness and safety. Download at  http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108455.

Make Your Business Resilient Infographic. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a disaster, but you can. Encourage workplace resiliency through planning and preparation for the unexpected. This infographic is great to share in an email to your workforce and to post on bulletin boards and breakrooms. Download at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108451.

Is your Disaster Kit Stocked? Infographic. Hurricane Sandy knocked out power to 8.5 million customers for seven days. Make sure your disaster kit is up-to-date and you have a plan in place for your family. Consider this infographic and display at local stores and supermarkets. Download at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108699.

By promoting preparedness, we can reduce the impact of future disasters.

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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FEMA Region III Releases Preparedness Infographics

Documentation

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

FEMA-1909-DR
PA ID# 037-52004-00; Nashville-Davidson County
PW ID# 5523; Documentation
08/31/2015

Conclusion:  On second appeal, Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation to support reimbursement of costs associated with resident engineering services.

Summary Paragraph

Between April 30, 2010 and May 18, 2010, severe rainstorms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds impacted Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant).  The rainstorms caused the Cumberland River to overflow and subsequently floodwaters damaged electrical and mechanical components in the generator building located at Applicant’s K.R. Harrington Water Treatment Plant.  FEMA subsequently prepared Project Worksheet (PW) 5523 documenting necessary repairs to these electrical and mechanical components.  The PW did not document resident engineering costs and disallowed direct administrative costs (DAC).  In a June 1, 2011 letter, the Applicant submitted its first appeal requesting $25,920.38 and arguing that FEMA made numerous scope and cost estimate errors.  More specifically, the Applicant argued that FEMA made errors in estimating the following costs: DAC, resident engineering costs, construction management costs, and costs to replace metal doors.  In a letter dated June 1, 2012, the FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) partially approved the appeal, granting the construction management costs and the costs to replace the metal doors but denying the request for DAC and resident engineering costs.  The RA based the denial of resident engineering costs on a lack of adequate documentation.  On August 10, 2012, the Applicant submitted its second appeal, requesting only resident engineering costs totaling $13,691.00.  Upon FEMA’s subsequent request for additional information, the Applicant provided additional documents describing resident engineer’s services. 

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 406 (a)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 5172.

  • 44 C.F.R. § 13.22.

  • OMB Circular A-87 Attachment A (C)(1)(a),(j), 2 C.F.R. § 225 Appendix A (C)(1)(a),(j)

  • PA Digest, at 48.

  • PA Guide, at 40, 59.

Headnotes

  • OMB Circular A-87 provides that allowable costs must meet the cost principles of being necessary; allocable to Federal awards; and adequately documented.

    • The Applicant provided documentation to demonstrate that the resident engineering costs are necessary, allocable, and adequately documented for PW 5523.

  • PA Digest, at 48, provides that “[s]pecial services[,] which are not required on every restoration project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the eligible scope of work.”

    • This project is part of 19 separate PWs associated with flood recovery efforts of a complex nature, and could require the use of resident engineering services.

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Documentation

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