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Oswego County Fire Department Awarded New Fire Truck

New York, NY – The Fulton Fire Department will be purchasing a new, well-equipped fire truck to replace a 26-year-old truck that has been out of service since January of this year, as well as no longer compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards

“Without this federal grant, we would not have been able buy this equipment,” said David Eiffe, the department’s Assistant Fire Chief. “Our older equipment has often been inoperable, forcing us to borrow a truck from a neighboring volunteer fire department. We can’t serve our city that way; the NFPA standards are there for a reason.”

The funds for the truck come from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The truck will cost $450,000,” said Dale McShine, Director of Grant and Preparedness for FEMA’s Region II. The federal share will amount to $428,572, and we are very pleased to play such an important role in the safety of Fulton’s citizens.”

Fulton has a population of some 12,000 citizens. Its fire department, with 36 career firefighters, responds to a total of some 2,200 fire, emergency medical service calls, and car and industrial accidents, each year, said Chief Eiffe. “This new truck will be able to carry 750 gallons of water and pump 1,750 gallons per minute. It’s also equipped with a foam system that is highly effective in putting out house fires.”

The Chief said also that, in addition to saving taxpayers money that was needed for repairs of his outdated trucks, the new truck will contribute to the safety of our citizens for at least 15 years.

The Fulton Fire Department has two fire stations, on the east and west sides of the Oneida River. The new equipment will be located in the west-side station.

Assistance to Firefighter Grants provide support to numerous firehouses throughout FEMA’s Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The program provides critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Region II Chief for Grants, reports that in fiscal year 2014, the Region awarded 273 grants totaling $95.6 million.

Oswego County Fire Department Awarded New Fire Truck

FEMA Launches New Preparedness Feature to Smartphone App

Push Notifications to Remind Users to Take Simple Steps to Prepare for Disasters, Provide Easy Access to Information on How to Be Ready for Fires, Severe Weather, and other Hazards

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a new feature to its free smartphone app that will enable users to receive push notifications to their devices to remind them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters. The reminder feature allows users to receive pre-scheduled safety and preparedness tips, including testing smoking alarms, practicing a fire escape plan, updating emergency kits and replacing smoke alarm batteries.

“Our lives are increasingly busy and on-the-go,” said Deputy Administrator of Protection and National Preparedness Tim Manning. “Today, we turn to mobile devices and technology to help us stay more organized and connected. This new feature to FEMA’s app will make it easier for families to remember to take potentially life-saving actions that we all should be thinking about more often.”

“In just two minutes, a home fire can become life-threatening,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell Jr. “Remembering to take small steps to prepare, such as ensuring your smoke alarm is properly maintained and practicing your home fire escape plan, will reduce fire fatalities and ensure our communities are safer. We hope this new feature to FEMA’s app will help save lives by encouraging more families to be prepared.”

The new reminder feature builds upon several innovative tools already built into the app. In addition to push notifications, the app also provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and open recovery centers, and tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters. The FEMA app also offers a feature that enables users to receive push notifications of weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation.

Some other key features of the app include:

Weather Alerts: Users can elect to receive alerts on severe weather happening in specific areas they select, even if the phone is not located in the area, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.
Safety Tips: Tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
Disaster Reporter: Users can upload and share disaster-related photos.
Maps of Disaster Resources: Users can locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers.
Apply for Assistance: The app provides easy access to apply for federal disaster assistance.
Information in Spanish: The app defaults to Spanish-language content for smartphones that have Spanish set as their default language.

The latest version of the FEMA app is available for free in the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices. Users who already have the app downloaded on their device should download the latest update for the reminder alerts feature to take effect. The reminders are available in English and Spanish and are located in the “Prepare” section of the FEMA App.

To learn more, visit: The FEMA App: Helping Your Family Weather the Storm.

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FEMA Launches New Preparedness Feature to Smartphone App

Leading Cancer Center Weathers Storms in Multiple Ways

FEMA and the state of Texas are highlighting Texas communities that have taken steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.

HOUSTON – For the last 25 years, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has consistently ranked among the top two cancer care hospitals in the nation, according to a survey published by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital’s staff of more than 19,000 treat an average of 114,000 patients each year from around the world.

The center’s ranking reflects the expertise and accomplishments of the physicians, researchers, nurses, staff and volunteers in treating patients. Safeguarding staff, patients and property is essential and the reason for multiple disaster mitigation and notification initiatives at the facility.

“It’s important that we be here for the patients. We don’t want to close. If there is a significant event, we want to be up and running as soon as possible to minimize down time,” said MD Anderson Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety Matthew Berkheiser. “Patients wanting their treatment are literally knocking on our door as soon as the storm is over. If you have a broken leg, you could probably wait a few days to get it checked. Our patients are very serious and committed to getting in here.”

In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison caused catastrophic damage to the center. They undertook a major mitigation project to protect the center from another flood. “We came up with a list of things that we felt we could do better. Money was made available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance mitigation already in place.

“We used the funds to enhance our floodgate system,” said Director of Environmental Health and Safety Devina Patel. “Now we have 70-80 floodgates, a combination of different kinds of gates as well as submarine doors.”

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program helped to fund the flood mitigation project. The work consisted of building interior and exterior flood walls and relocating critical mechanical and electrical life-saving equipment above the 50-year floodplain – floods that have a two percent probability (1 in 50) of being equaled or exceeded in any year. A concrete wall was constructed around the entire facility.

The project also called for the installation of 25 floodgates (located at entrances and drives), submarine doors, and a series of valves and lift stations to isolate the sanitary and storm systems.

“We have annual unannounced drills to test the flood gate system as well as the competency of the people who are installing the gates,” said Patel.

“A lesson learned from Tropical Storm Allison was that we needed a stationary command center,” said Patel. “Depending on who was in charge, the command center kept moving making communication an issue. Now we have one that’s stationary and fully staffed.”

To learn more about how cities and towns across Texas are building stronger, safer communities visit Best Practice Stories | FEMA.gov.

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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.

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Leading Cancer Center Weathers Storms in Multiple Ways

Volunteer Firefighters in Chenango County Village to Receive Air Compressor to Fill Breathing Cylinders

Assistant Fire Chief Sees Gear as “Fundamental to Safety”

NEW YORK, NY — The Sherburne Village Fire Department will receive equipment to fill self-contained breathing apparatuses used to provide 39 volunteer firefighters with breathing air as they fight blazes or encounter toxic fumes.

“This compressor provides an integral piece of safety equipment to our volunteers,” said Jansen Casscles, First Assistant Fire Chief. “Last year,” he said, “our department responded to some 500 fires and emergency medical service calls. The old air compressor broke down regularly and made it very difficult to maintain air quality standards.”

The announcement of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant was made here today by Dale McShine, Director of Grants for Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the AFG program. She said the award totaled $43,000, with the federal share coming to $40,953.

Chief Casscles said that the new air compressor replaces equipment that was more than 25 years old, adding, “The old equipment struggled to fill air cylinders of greater capacity, which used to be larger and heavier. But today,” he said, “those cylinders are smaller and allow our firefighters far more mobility. We’ve got a population of 4,500 to serve and the new compressor is fundamental to the safety of our citizens and our firefighters.”

FEMA’s Dale McShine pointed out that in 2013, Assistance to Firefighter Grants provided funding of almost $22 million to the 192 fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“These grants assist emergency agencies,” she said, “and we know that they provide safety and protection to entire communities. We are very pleased to be part of that process.”

For further information, please contact William H. Douglass or FEMA: 212-680-3665 or 917-561-3223.

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.

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Volunteer Firefighters in Chenango County Village to Receive Air Compressor to Fill Breathing Cylinders

FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states the remainder of this week and into the weekend, staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office are coordinating with state and local officials in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and urge the public to prepare to stay safe.

“With the threat of severe weather developing, we urge residents to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local newscasts, monitor digital media feeds for updates and follow the instructions provided by local emergency officials,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “As folks make their weekend plans, this severe weather threat is a reminder everyone needs to remain vigilant as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

Make A Plan!
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance. For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Have an Emergency Supply Kit!
To prepare for power outages and the disruption of essential services, FEMA urges families to prepare an emergency supply kit for their homes and cars. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. When preparing a kit, remember water, medications, and items needed for the well-being of your pets.

Stay Informed!
Pay attention to and follow instructions from local emergency officials.

FEMA App Has Weather Alerts (NEW!)
Download the FEMA app (available in English and Spanish, for Apple, Blackberry and Android) to get severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service, https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

Social Media—A great monitoring tool!
Most local emergency managers, state and government agencies, including the National Weather Service, have an active social media presence and use it to provide fast, current and critical information before, during and after emergencies. Consider following the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram handles of your local emergency management office, as well as hospitals, schools and voluntary organizations serving your community.

If you don’t already have one, consider using a social media list to monitor the severe weather threat; how local officials are responding; and what they may ask of you and your family. @FEMARegion7 on Twitter has created social media lists for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Subscribe to your state’s list, www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists, or use it as a template to create your own. Learn and chat about creating Twitter and Facebook lists using #PrepList.

Tips for Severe Weather Safety!

If you have severe weather in your area, keep these safety tips in mind:

Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and talk to your family about what you will do if a watch or warning is issued. Here are the terms you need to know:

WATCH: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornados).

WARNING: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

If there’s a tornado warning, you’ll need to know what to do no matter where you are. Learn more before the storms arrive, http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes.

DISTANCE TO SAFE ROOM MATTERS: While community safe rooms offer significant reassurance and protection during a severe weather event, always make the safe and certain choice about where to seek shelter – particularly if there is little time to travel to the location of the community safe room. It is always best to seek shelter in your basement or in the lowest possible structure in your residence if time and warning are limited when severe weather hits.

LOCATION MATTERS: Know your surroundings and your structures if you’re planning to attend an event, take vacation, visit family, or if you are staying in a location other than your home like a hotel, campground or cabin. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the facility’s emergency plans including: sirens and warnings, how to shelter in place, and steps to be taken in the event of an evacuation.

MOBILE HOMES: Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Residents of mobile homes must plan in advance and identify safe shelter in a nearby building.

FLOODING: Be aware that flash flooding can occur within minutes and with little notice. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Do not drive through flood water. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

SAFETY AFTER THE STORM: Injury may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
Be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in or around your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak. Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

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Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Find regional updates from FEMA Region VII at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. 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.

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FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

Make Your Community Safer on National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

WASHINGTON – Wildfires can occur anywhere in the country with the potential to destroy homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources, and agriculture. Last year, the United States experienced over 63,000 wildfires that burned more than three million acres. National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is Saturday, May 2, and people across the nation will dedicate time to making their communities a safer place should a wildfire occur.

Wildfires can start in remote wilderness areas, national parks, or even your backyard. They can start from natural causes, such as lightning, but most are caused by humans, either accidentally—from cigarettes, campfires, or outdoor burning—or intentionally.

“When our citizens prepare and adopt the principles of fire-adapted communities, the loss of life and property from wildland fires is greatly reduced,” said United States Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell.

Protect your family and community from a wildfire by taking action before one happens. On National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, join your friends, family members, faith-based group or youth organization, and volunteer your time to improve your community’s ability to withstand and recover from a wildfire, which also may improve the safety of firefighters.

There are many ways to help protect homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and entire communities:

Reduce the amount of flammable materials and brush that can burn around your home or business;
Create a fire-free area within the first five feet of your home using non-flammable materials and high moisture-content plantings;
Maintain an area that is clear of flammable materials and debris for at least 30 feet on all sides from your home or business; and
Move wood piles and propane tanks to at least 30 feet from your home or business.

National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is part of America’s PrepareAthon! a grassroots campaign for action to get people better prepared for emergencies through group discussions, drills and exercises. You can take steps to prepare to reduce the devastating effects of any disaster by creating a family communication plan and practicing how you will evacuate and communicate with friends and family members in an emergency. Register your action at www.ready.gov/prepare.

Learn more about National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Visit the ready.gov and learn how to prepare for a wildfire.

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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.

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Make Your Community Safer on National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Weather & Wildfires

DENTON, Texas – People living in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are urged to get ready now for potential severe weather that could strike over the next few days in the form of possible severe thunderstorms, hail, strong winds, flash flooding, tornadoes and wildfires.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 office continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to support state and local partners as needed and requested in any affected areas.

“We encourage people to keep listening to their local and state officials for updated instructions and information. The safety of people is the first priority,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We encourage people to have an individual or family emergency plan in place, practice that plan and put together an emergency kit.”

If you have severe weather in your area, you will likely want to become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard including:

Watch: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornadoes); and
Warning: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

More tools and resources are available online to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.Ready.gov or the Spanish language site www.Listo.gov.

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Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Weather & Wildfires

FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $511,153 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Lake County, Minn., for the installation of fire-resistant roofing materials on 65 residential and commercial structures.

“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 Administrator, Andrew Velasquez III. “The fire-resistant roof installation makes these structures more resilient and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals, property and the community when future wildfires impact the area.”

“Reducing the effects of all types of natural disasters is a key component of HSEM’s mission,” said HSEM Director Joe Kelly. “Fire-resistant roofing materials is a new project type for Minnesota. With the potential for significant drought this year, we are looking to implement measures that will better protect our residents.”

“Wildfire is our greatest natural hazard risk in Lake County,” says BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County’s Emergency Management Director. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide a safety net to homeowners. We’re already working with HSEM, the fire marshal, building officials, licensed installers, homeowners and vendors to develop guidelines and specifications to make this project most effective. Hopefully, these can serve as models for similar projects in future.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS/HSEM) administers the grants for FEMA. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $681,537 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $170,384, will be provided by Lake County.

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

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FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

FEMA Launches Spanish-Language App

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a free Spanish-language app with information on what individuals can do before, during and after a disaster to keep their families and communities safe.

FEMA’s Spanish-language app offers a wide array of information for the public and disaster survivors, including preparedness tips, locations of nearby shelters, what to include in an emergency supply kit and a user friendly interface for survivors who may need assistance from FEMA after a disaster.

“You can take the first step to disaster preparedness with just the swipe of your finger,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices have made our lives more convenient – this app empowers us to be prepared. The FEMA app is now available in Spanish. I encourage everyone to download it today to have access to the latest information on steps to take before, during and after a disaster.”

Some key features of the app include:

Safety Tips: This feature helps users prepare for flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters by providing tips on how to be informed about potential hazards and what steps to take before, during and after an emergency.
Emergency Meeting Locations: This tool offers the capability to set an emergency meeting place for you and your family with the option of having a primary, secondary and out of state location.
Apply for Assistance: The FEMA Spanish-language App will help users locate a disaster recovery center after a Major Disaster Declaration with Individual Assistance has been issued. This feature also provides information about how to offer volunteer services and donations.

The app offers pre-loaded content ensuring that FEMA guidance is available anytime and anywhere – even if no Internet connection is available. The app is free and available for iPhones and Android devices in the iTunes and the Google Play Stores.

Other Content (in Spanish):

Additional information about preparedness is also available at www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov.

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

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

FEMA Launches Spanish-Language App

FEMA Awards $80,795 to Stearns County: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a tornado safe room

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $80,795 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Stearns County Minn., for the construction of a safe room at Melrose Mobile Home Park.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The construction of thissafe room will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornados and other high wind events.”

“People in Stearns County will be safer thanks to local leaders who joined with state and federal partners on this project,” said Kris Eide, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “Tornado safe rooms are one way communities across the state are reducing the risk that comes with disasters. We’re encouraging more cities and counties to apply for grants that will help them protect their residents.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMAwill pay $80,795, or 75 percent of the eligible project cost. Stearns County will contribute the remaining 25 percent, or $26,932.

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

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FEMA Awards $80,795 to Stearns County: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a tornado safe room

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