SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Horsethief Butte Fire in Klickitat County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on Sept. 13, 2015 at 10:42 p.m. PDT. There have been 12 FMAGs approved in Washington since June 2015.

Two New Mexico firefighters walk up a hill to continue battling smoldering forest fires. Fire Management Assistance Grants can provide federal funds to support costs like firefighting tools and equipment, overtime compensation, mobilization and travel costs, meals, health and safety items.

Through Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs), federal funds are available to support firefighters battling wildfires if needed. Original photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo.

The fire started on September 13, 2015, and had burned in excess of 2,000 acres of federal, state, and private lands. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 125 primary homes in and around the communities of Dallesport and Wishram. Evacuation orders were issued for approximately 300 people. The fire was also threatening public utility transmission and distribution lines along state Route 14, community buildings, irrigation infrastructure, recreational resources at two state parks, and valued environmental resources of the Columbia River.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Horsethief Butte Fire

Tsunami racers, take your marks! This Sunday, September 13, Race the Wave participants will practice the tsunami evacuation route from the coast to higher ground in Cannon Beach, Oregon. We know that increasing preparedness levels across the board means greater community resilience, and Race the Wave is a great event to highlight during National Preparedness Month this September.

The race finishes at the higher ground of one of the community’s evacuation meeting points, where Cannon Beach will host a preparedness fair with interactive booths to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Runners at starting line of race

Residents of Cannon Beach, Oregon gather for a 5K race following a tsunami evacuation route from the beach to a safe meeting spot. The race helped residents build the “muscle memory” of getting to safety, if they should feel an earthquake while they are on or near the beach.

Race the Wave uses the National Preparedness month themes of being disaster aware and taking action to prepare and makes those themes relevant for their community.

  • Know the Plan: Make a plan with your family about where you will meet. Know if you need to pick your kids up from school. Know where you need to go and what to bring with you.
  • Take the Route: Become familiar with signage in your area. Learn the evacuation route from where you live, work, and play. Evacuate on foot and avoid traveling by car if possible.
  • Race the Wave: Natural warnings are the best sign of a tsunami. If you feel the ground shaking, move quickly inland or to a higher elevation. Listen to the radio to learn of tsunami warnings originating from non-local causes.

This is the second annual Race the Wave event, which includes a 10k, 5k and 2k for all abilities to participate in; participants can run, walk or roll the route. Visitors and locals alike will learn about the risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and what they can do to stay safe.

The Community of Cannon Beach, Clatsop County Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Oregon Office on Disability & Health at Oregon Health & Science University and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region X office are coming together to support Race the Wave.

FEMA encourages everyone to take steps to become better prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s at home, at work, at school, or in the community, there’s a lot that you can do to be ready and help others be ready too.  This September, take time to get disaster prepared and take action to prepare.

What you can do:

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Know your evacuation routes – Race the Wave in Cannon Beach, OR Sept. 13

Tsunami racers, take your marks! This Sunday, September 13, Race the Wave participants will practice the tsunami evacuation route from the coast to higher ground in Cannon Beach, Oregon. We know that increasing preparedness levels across the board means greater community resilience, and Race the Wave is a great event to highlight during National Preparedness Month this September.

The race finishes at the higher ground of one of the community’s evacuation meeting points, where Cannon Beach will host a preparedness fair with interactive booths to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Runners at starting line of race

Residents of Cannon Beach, Oregon gather for a 5K race following a tsunami evacuation route from the beach to a safe meeting spot. The race helped residents build the “muscle memory” of getting to safety, if they should feel an earthquake while they are on or near the beach.

Race the Wave uses the National Preparedness month themes of being disaster aware and taking action to prepare and makes those themes relevant for their community.

  • Know the Plan: Make a plan with your family about where you will meet. Know if you need to pick your kids up from school. Know where you need to go and what to bring with you.
  • Take the Route: Become familiar with signage in your area. Learn the evacuation route from where you live, work, and play. Evacuate on foot and avoid traveling by car if possible.
  • Race the Wave: Natural warnings are the best sign of a tsunami. If you feel the ground shaking, move quickly inland or to a higher elevation. Listen to the radio to learn of tsunami warnings originating from non-local causes.

This is the second annual Race the Wave event, which includes a 10k, 5k and 2k for all abilities to participate in; participants can run, walk or roll the route. Visitors and locals alike will learn about the risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and what they can do to stay safe.

The Community of Cannon Beach, Clatsop County Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Oregon Office on Disability & Health at Oregon Health & Science University and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region X office are coming together to support Race the Wave.

FEMA encourages everyone to take steps to become better prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s at home, at work, at school, or in the community, there’s a lot that you can do to be ready and help others be ready too.  This September, take time to get disaster prepared and take action to prepare.

What you can do:

Continue reading – 

Know your tsunami evacuation routes – Race the Wave in Cannon Beach, OR Sept. 13

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Okanogan County Complex Fire burning in Okanogan County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 12:51 a.m. PDT on Aug. 15, 2015.

At the time of the request, eight known fires (Old Railroad, West Bonaparte, Roy, Dugout, North Star, Cooper Mountain, Dunn Mountain and Pine Creek) were threatening homes, infrastructure, natural and cultural resources across the county.  Mass evacuations were underway and structures have been lost. The community of Pateros, with a population of 3,500 was at immediate risk and is particularly vulnerable after suffering damage in the 2014 Carlton Complex. State Route 153 at Pateros, a vital arterial route for the community, was closed from MP 248-253.  Numerous other communities are threatened, including Conconully, a community of 210 where important infrastructure includes a dam and power distribution lines. Shelters have been established at Oroville High School and Republic High School.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

Continue reading here:

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Okanogan County Complex Fire

EVERETT, Wash. – The state of Washington and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will close the three Snohomish County Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The FEMA help line will continue to be available to provide guidance for survivors of the March 22 SR530 Slide.

The DRC staff members have been able to field questions and supply information to more than 800 survivors since they began operations on April 7.

For those affected by the slide who have yet to visit a DRC, the three centers will be open and fully staffed until the close of business on May 10 at:

Oso Fire Station (Snohomish County Fire Protection District 25 – parking lot)
21824 State Route 530 NE
Arlington, WA 98223

Arlington Department of Public Works
154 West Cox Ave.
Arlington, WA 98223

Darrington Ranger District Office (Parking Lot)
1405 Emens Ave. North
Darrington, WA 98241

Operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The DRCs will not be open on Sunday, May 4.

To reach the FEMA help line, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Survivors who use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT, seven days a week. To get information online, visit: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov.

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Recovery Centers to Close May 10; FEMA Assistance Still Available

BOTHELL, Wash. – Asociados locales, estatales y federales continúan trabajando en persona con los sobrevivientes del deslizamiento de tierra de la carretera estatal 530 en Washington para asegurar que todos ellos reciban la asistencia por desastre para la cual ellos pudieran calificar.

Para tal fin, los Equipos de Asistencia del Sobreviviente por Desastre junto con la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) – incluyendo el programa de especialistas del área y pérdida – se están reuniendo en persona con los sobrevivientes para conocer más acerca de sus necesidades a corto y largo plazo debido al deslizamiento de tierra.

“Estamos trabajando con FEMA para pasar rápidamente a la siguiente fase de la asistencia estatal y federal para ayudar a los sobrevivientes y a las familias afectadas. Esta ayuda es parte de los recursos generales que ellos necesitarán para iniciar su recuperación a largo plazo”, dijo el Coordinador Estatal, Kurt Hardin.

La asistencia por desastre federal fue puesta a disposición de los individuos del condado de Snohomish – incluyendo las tribus de Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, y Tulalip – el 2 de abril cuando el Presidente Obama declaró el desastre mayor para el estado de Washington.

“Estamos resueltos a proporcionar tanta atención personal como sea posible a los sobrevivientes de esta desgarradora tragedia”, dijo el Coordinador Federal de FEMA, Michael J. Hall. “Nuestra meta es, si es bienvenida, hablar en persona con cada individuo – ya sea que haya perdido a una persona querida, su vivienda o fue severamente impactado en alguna otra forma”.

Los Tres Centros de Recuperación por Desastre están abiertos para asistir a los sobrevivientes en Arlington, Darrington y cerca de Oso. Los especialistas de recuperación por desastre locales, estatales y federales se están reuniendo en persona con los solicitantes de la asistencia por desastre en los centros. Los representantes de agencias locales, estatales y federales y de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro tales como el Servicio de Rentas Internas de los Estados Unidos y la Cruz Roja Americana estarán disponibles para trabajar directamente con los sobrevivientes. Los representantes de la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los Estados Unidos (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) estarán en los centros para explicar sobre los préstamos por desastre con baja tasa de interés a los dueños de vivienda, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños que califiquen.    

Antes de visitar el centro, se alienta a los solicitantes para que soliciten la asistencia por desastre. La inscripción es posible hacerla en línea o por teléfono, o a través de un dispositivo móvil. Para inscribirse en línea, visite: www.DisasterAssistance.gov/espanol o m.fema.gov. Para inscribirse por teléfono, llame al 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Para aquellos que utilizan TTY, deben llamar al 1-800-462-7585 directamente; para aquellos que usan el 711 o el Servicio de Interpretación de Video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), deben llamar al 800-621-3362. Los números de teléfono gratuitos están disponibles de las 4:00 a.m. a las 8:00 p.m. hora del pacífico, los siete días de la semana.

Para las personas que tienen discapacidades del habla o auditivos, o que son sordos, los Centros de Recuperación por desastre pueden típicamente proporcionar servicios tales como: 

• Teléfonos con subtítulos, los cuales transcriben las palabras habladas a un texto escrito
• Intérpretes del lenguaje de señas americano están disponibles cuando son solicitados 
• Amplificadores y aparatos de asistencia auditiva
• 711-Relay o Servicio de Interpretación de Video

Las ubicaciones y las horas de operación de los centros son los siguientes:

 

Oso Fire Station (Snohomish County Fire Protection District 25 – estacionamiento)

21824 State Route 530 NE

Arlington, WA 98223

 

154 West Cox Ave.

Arlington, WA 98223

 

Darrington Ranger District Office (Estacionamiento)

1405 Emens Ave. North

Darrington, WA 98241

 

Horas de Operación

 

Día de Apertura (Lunes, 7 de abril) – de la 1:00 p.m. a las 8:00 p.m.

De lunes a viernes, de las 11:00 a.m. a las 8:00 p.m.

Sábado, de las 11:00 a.m. a las 4:00 p.m.

Cerrados los domingos

Continued here:  

Asociados locales, estatales y federales están trabajando de cerca e individualmente con los sobrevivientes del deslizamiento de tierra SR530…

AURORA, Ill. – Individuals who sustained damages during the recent severe weather can gain valuable information about repairing and rebuilding their damaged property in a stronger, safer and smarter way by visiting one of the FEMA mitigation teams located at home improvement centers throughout the area.

The mitigation teams will be available at five area home improvement centers Tuesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 23, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The locations of the center are:

Cook County

Menards

8311 W. North Ave.

Melrose Park, IL 60160

 

Menards

2333 S. Cicero Ave.

Cicero, IL 60639

 

Home Depot

12000 S. Cicero Ave.

Alsip, IL 60803

 

Lake County

Home Depot

3200 West Route 60

Mundelein, IL 60060

 

McHenry County

Home Depot

4447 US Route 14

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

 

Individuals and families in 33 counties whose dwellings were damaged in the severe storms of April 16 to May 5 should register with FEMA for federal and state assistance that may be available.

They can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov.

Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

 

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FEMA Mitigation Outreach June 18 through June 23

TRENTON, N.J. Getting free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage is as easy as visiting your local home improvement store. Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Ridding a home of mold and mildew.
  • Understanding flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Knowing the benefits of flood insurance.
  • Elevating or anchoring utilities.

FEMA specialists are available daily from Tuesday, Feb. 12, to Friday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County—Home Depot, 421 Absecon Blvd., Absecon, NJ 08201
  • Hudson County—Lowe’s, 400 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002
  • Monmouth County—Lowe’s, 118 Highway 35, Eatontown, NJ 07724
  • Monmouth County—Home Depot, 310 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
  • Middlesex County—Home Depot, 373 Route 9, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
  • Middlesex County—Home Depot, 1090 Route 9, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
  • Union County—Home Depot, 399-443 Springfield Ave., Newark, NJ 07103        

For additional information on rebuilding stronger, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation Resources.”

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.

Original article: 

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair and Rebuilding Advice

TRENTON, N.J. — Visit your area home improvement store to get free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage. Specialists from Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Elevating or anchoring utilities.
  • Eliminating mold and mildew from your home.
  • Using flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Understanding flood insurance.

FEMA specialists are available daily from Tuesday, Jan. 22, to Saturday, Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County –
    • Home Depot, 421 E. Absecon Blvd., Absecon, NJ 08201    
    • Home Depot,  6 Tower Ave., Egg Harbor Township , NJ 08234                
  • Hudson County –
    • Lowe’s, 400 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002
    • Home Depot, 440 Route 440, Jersey City, NJ 07302
  • Middlesex County –
    • Home Depot, 1090 Route 9 S., Old Bridge, NJ 08857
  • Monmouth County –
    • Home Depot, 3700 Highway 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730
    • Home Depot, 310 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
  • Ocean County –
    • Lowe’s, 1375 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753 
  • Union County –
    • Home Depot , 977 W. Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202

For additional information, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation Resources.”

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.

Credit: 

FEMA offers Free Advice On ‘Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter’