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Nov 28 is Deadline for Eligible Entities to Request Public Assistance Funding for Sept Flooding

SANTA FE – Getting disaster aid quickly into the hands of eligible applicants affected by September 15-26 flooding in New Mexico starts with the first step – informing state and federal recovery officials that Public Assistance funding is needed.

State agencies, tribal governments, certain nonprofit organizations, community ditch associations and other local government entities in Colfax, Eddy, Lincoln, Lea, Otero, Santa Fe and Sierra counties affected by the September floods have until November 28 to submit the appropriate forms to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NM DHSEM).

Officials who have questions about making a Request for Public Assistance and upcoming Applicant Briefing schedules should contact Brian Williams at 505-476-9601.

Federal grants are reimbursed to eligible applicants for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repairing of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA pays 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant are responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Find details of the Public Assistance program at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

“The first step to getting disaster aid is for eligible entities to let us know that they need the assistance” said State Coordinating Officer Beverley Simpson.

“The quicker we know which agencies, governments, organizations and associations are requesting Public Assistance, the quicker the process results in much needed funding in the hands of these impacted entities,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper.

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More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/. DHSEM is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. Follow DHSEM on Twitter @NMDHSEM.

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. Find more information at www.fema.gov/disaster/4199. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Nov 28 is Deadline for Eligible Entities to Request Public Assistance Funding for Sept Flooding

FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Way Fire in Kern County, California

FEMA Public Affairs (626) 431-3843

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Way Fire currently burning in Kern County.

On August 18, 2014, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Way Fire and FEMA approved the State’s request on August 19, 2014. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 1,300 primary homes in and around the communities of Kernville with a population of 1,395, Wofford Heights with a population of 2,200 and Alta Sierra Community with a population of 300. Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 250 people. The fires started on August 18, 2014, and has burned in excess of 1,908 total acres of Federal, State, and private land.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants (FMAG’s) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAG’s can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; and supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Way Fire in Kern County, California

NM Officials face Dec. 27 Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance

SANTA FE – Severe storms and flooding that took place Sept. 9th through 22nd damaged public facilities and roads in15 New Mexico counties. President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for 15 New Mexico counties on Oct. 29.

On Nov. 27, De Baca, Dona Ana, Harding, Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan counties, and the Isleta, Sandia, and Taos Pueblos and the Navajo Nation were added to the declaration.

Now, state agencies, local governments, tribal entities, community ditch associations and certain private nonprofit agencies must file Requests for Public Assistance (RPA) with the State of New Mexico for reimbursement under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. Officials in these counties and pueblos who have not already done so must file their RPAs with the State of New Mexico no later than Close of Business on Dec. 27.

Filing such a request with the state is the first step in the process of applying for federal reimbursements under FEMA’s PA Grant Program.

These grants are obligated to the state in order to reimburse eligible applicants for expenses incurred while taking emergency measures to protect lives and property. These measures include cleaning up downed trees, power poles and other debris and repairing public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

This deadline does not apply to counties not included in this declaration. Officials in these counties who have questions about Requests for Public Assistance should contact Brian Williams at 505-476-9601.

“Recovering from such widespread flooding takes a lot of effort and can be expensive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper. “The process of getting reimbursed for these expenses starts with filing an RPA.”

Although the program is oriented to public entities, certain private nonprofit organizations may apply directly to FEMA via the RPA for uninsured costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Additionally, nonprofits may qualify for FEMA assistance to make infrastructure repairs if they provide critical services, such as fire and emergency rescue; medical treatment; power, water and sewer resources and communications systems.

Details of the PA program are on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.
More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/.

The Dec. 27 deadline does not affect the original 15 counties: Catron, Chaves, Cibola, Colfax, Eddy, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrance counties, since their RPA deadline was Nov. 28.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

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.

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NM Officials face Dec. 27 Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance