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FEMA funding made Available to Help California Fight Shockey Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the Shockey Fire in San Diego County.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around the towns of Boulevard and Jacumba,

which have a total population of 1,200 residents. The fire was also threatening numerous

outbuildings and businesses. Mandatory evacuations had taken place for approximately 600 residents of both towns.

“With this wildfire threatening so many neighborhoods, our commitment to the people of Shockey County remains strong,” said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward. “FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners during this time of uncertainty.”

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for FMAGs made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible costs covered by the aid 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’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 funding made Available to Help California Fight Shockey Fire

President Declares a Major Disaster for Alabama

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available for the state of Alabama to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Isaac during the period of August 26 to September 5, 2012.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Isaac in the counties of Baldwin, Mobile, and Pickens.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Joe M. Girot has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Girot said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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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President Declares a Major Disaster for Alabama

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Alabama Disaster Recovery

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Alabama.

Assistance for the State, Tribal and Local Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for the state will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Alabama Disaster Recovery

Public Assistance Helps Ohio Communities Rebuild After Disaster

Dublin, OH – Providing assistance to individuals and businesses is not the only concern of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA). Public Assistance (PA) grants will soon help Ohio communities recoup emergency response and debris removal costs from storms in late June.

Thirty seven counties were declared eligible on August 20 for disaster assistance as a result of the June 29-July 2 storms and straight line winds. Under the PA Grant Program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments, tribal nations and certain private nonprofit organizations with their response to and recovery from disasters.

“The declaration opens the door to FEMA grants that help public entities with reconstruction of their infrastructure,” said Mike Moore, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “The PA program strengthens communities which do not have all the means or resources to bounce back from a disaster, helping to ensure a community’s important public needs are met.”

Public assistance is based on a partnership between FEMA, state and local officials. Local governments identify their needs and costs and submit applications. The state ensures compliance and helps prioritize projects. FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants and providing technical assistance on projects to the state and its applicants.

“This program is important to Ohio taxpayers,” said Nancy Dragani, state coordinating officer for Ohio EMA. “The program will provide federal and state funding to assist with debris removal, emergency protective measures and for some work performed by rural electric cooperatives.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program pays 75 percent of eligible costs. The state of Ohio is contributing 12.5 percent of the 25% percent non-federal share to eligible political subdivisions and the applicant is responsible for the remaining 12.5 percent balance.

Application procedures for local governments were explained at a series of state applicant briefings held in August and September. FEMA PA specialists provided guidance to state and local officials throughout the application process. Approved projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA. The deadline for applying for assistance is September 19^th.

Federal, state and local teams have already started to inspect disaster-related damage, examine expenses identified by the state or local representatives and prepare reports that outline the scope of repair work needed and the estimated restoration cost.

Non-profit organizations may qualify for assistance to restore certain types of facilities that include educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and other facilities that provide essential government types of services.

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Public Assistance Helps Ohio Communities Rebuild After Disaster

Houma Disaster Recovery Center to Close Thursday

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located in Houma, Terrebonne Parish will close on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m., and will reopen in a new location to be announced soon.

The center is currently located at:

Houma Civic Center

346 Civic Center Blvd.

Houma, LA 70360

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 20

Recovery centers provide personal assistance and disaster relief information to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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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Houma Disaster Recovery Center to Close Thursday

Disaster Recovery Centers Provide Assistance for People with Disabilities

BATON ROUGE, La. — Disaster Recovery Centers in the state of Louisiana are providing services to ensure that Hurricane Isaac survivors with disabilities have ready access to disaster assistance programs.

The centers are providing American Sign Language, Signed English or Tactile Sign Language interpreters to people who request these services. In addition, video phones as well as caption phones for survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing have been installed at all locations.

“Disasters affect everyone in the community”, said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “We want to make sure that everyone has accurate, timely and accessible disaster assistance information.”

There are 27 State/FEMA recovery centers operating in 18 parishes. They open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080. Specialists from the state of Louisiana, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The major disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac now makes available federal assistance to eligible survivors in 21 parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Disaster Recovery Centers Provide Assistance for People with Disabilities

Hurricane Isaac Survivors ElIgible for Disaster Legal Services

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisianians who sustained damage from Hurricane Isaac can now call the Disaster Legal Services hotline at 1-800-310-7029 for free legal assistance and counseling.

Through the hotline, volunteer lawyers can help eligible hurricane survivors with legal issues related to the hurricane. Volunteer lawyers can discuss insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer protection issues and the replacement of wills or other important documents that were lost or destroyed during the storm.

Callers should be prepared to discuss particular legal problems caused by the disaster and to provide a current contact phone number. To be eligible for this free legal assistance, they must reside in one of the 21 parishes designated for Individual Assistance under the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac. The parishes are Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana.

Disaster Legal Services is a federally funded program run under an agreement between the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Civil Justice Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The call center operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Voicemails are returned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Legal assistance for Spanish-speaking callers is also available.

Hurricane survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Hurricane Isaac Survivors ElIgible for Disaster Legal Services

Two Weeks Left For Local Agencies To Apply For Federal Assistance

DUBLIN, OH – The deadline is nearing for State agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in 37 designated counties to apply for federal aid to help offset expenses related to emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and straight-line winds June 29 – 2 July.

President Obama’s Aug. 20 disaster declaration authorized federal assistance after the series of storms and straight line winds hit Ohio late June early July. Applicants must submit RPA forms within 30 days of the date of disaster designation.

Officials in the following designated counties have until Sept. 19 to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA):

Adams, Allen, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, and Washington Counties

“We want to ensure that resources are allocated to every agency that is eligible,” said Michael W. Moore, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program pays 75 percent of eligible cost and each applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% percent non-federal balance. For more information or questions on eligibility, officials should contact their local County Emergency Management Agency director.

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Two Weeks Left For Local Agencies To Apply For Federal Assistance

In the Aftermath of Hurricane Isaac, the Support of Volunteers is Key

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster actively involved in disaster response

WASHINGTON – In the wake of Hurricane Isaac, voluntary agencies continue to be a vital member of the disaster response and recovery team, working alongside state and local emergency responders to help to address immediate needs of survivors. The public can play an important role with the emergency management team, volunteering their time, money, and energy to help disaster survivors and their families. There are ways individuals can support the ongoing response and recovery efforts, whether they live in one of the affected areas or across the country.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is advising people who want to help survivors affected by Hurricane Isaac to do so through affiliation with the voluntary organizations that are active in the ongoing disaster operations.

“When disasters occur, local and national voluntary agencies are often among some of the first responders on the ground to help survivors with the support and resources that they need,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “In Isaac, we’ve already seen field kitchens opening in the hardest hit neighborhoods with thousands of meals being served; dozens of shelters available for temporary housing relief; and teams on the ground to assist with debris removal and temporary roofs.”

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) serves as the primary point of contact for voluntary organization coordination in FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center, supporting Emergency Support Function 6 (Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services). National VOAD continues to work with a network of more than 50 national agencies and 55 state and territorial VOADs providing countless volunteers and services to support response and recovery efforts.

National VOAD members including voluntary, non-profit and faith-based organizations are working closely with the state and communities to assist with providing mobile feeding in areas where there are power outages, assist with debris removal and, as needed, to support with temporary roofing for disaster survivors.

Examples of ongoing work include:

The American Red Cross has opened shelters in several Gulf Coast states and has been mobilizing trained disaster workers across the region. Sunday night about 660 people stayed in 18 Red Cross or community shelters in Louisiana and Mississippi and thousands of Red Cross disaster workers are lending a hand. Almost 200 emergency response vehicles are traveling through affected neighborhoods, distributing hot meals and relief supplies. More than 193,000 meals and snacks have already been served.
With a large response effort spanning multiple states, the Red Cross is working closely with government agencies and community organizations to coordinate this multi-state relief response. Partners like AmeriCorps, Islamic Relief USA, NAACP and the National Baptist Convention USA are assisting to provide help and comfort. In addition, a number of companies such as Spectrum Brands, Walgreens, Coca-Cola, Home Depot and Vision Services, have contributed items such as insect repellent, bottled water and snacks.
Salvation Army teams in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana have distributed over 34,419 meals, 41,977 drinks, 26,275 snacks, 364 comfort kits, operated 25 mobile feeding units, 1 fixed feeding kitchen, provided emotional and spiritual care to 890 individuals, and have put in 7,377 hours of service.
Habitat for Humanity International reported local Habitats are checking on homes and conducting assessments in their communities and is engaged in dialog with Louisiana and Mississippi VOAD and local governments on clean-up efforts.
NECHAMA, a Jewish non-profit social service organization, has partnered with All Hands Volunteers along the coast to coordinate spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers to assist with debris removal and muck-outs.
United Way is standing up Volunteer Reception Centers to intake the unaffiliated volunteers from other states and tie them in with established organizations performing response and recovery operations.
Team Rubicon, an organization which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with emergency responders, has provided teams of volunteers to assist local authorities with road openings, debris removal, and logistics coordination.
Islamic Circle of North America had opened Masjid shelters and hosts located in Baton Rouge, LA; Lafayette, LA; Jackson, MS; and Beaumont, TX; with a total population of over 60 individuals. These shelters provided gender-segregated sleeping space, catered food to meet the dietary needs, congregational prayer space, and common knowledge of practicing Muslims, and vouchers for local hotel accommodations.

Louisiana

Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LA VOAD) continues to work with the mass feeding team to support the delivery of hot meals to Point of Distribution Sites (PODS). Operation Blessing, Southern Baptist Men, Convoy of Hope and many others are supporting the State’s effort.
As of September 1, 2012 Adventist Community Services mobile unit has served 1198 of clothing kits (which include socks, underwear, pants, and t-shirts), care kits, and blankets at the Jewella Shelter in Shreveport, LA.

Mississippi

Mississippi Southern Baptists (MSB) has two field kitchens supporting mobile feeding along the coast and has served in excess of 4,500 meals and snacks. Feeding is expected to continue through the end of this week. MSB also is assisting residents with chain saw and debris removal teams and is also assisting with a temporary roofing team applying plastic sheeting. Living Word Baptist Church has been assisting with muck outs and debris removal.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Camp Victor are providing volunteer housing for groups coming in to assist in response and recovery activities.

The activities of the voluntary agencies are far reaching and anyone interested in providing assistance to Isaac survivors may visit the National VOAD website at www.nvoad.org to learn more. Individuals’ support during this time goes a far way to helping these communities recover, and according to the National VOAD, there are several ways to help disaster survivors. They include:

Donation of Cash – A financial contribution to a recognized disaster relief organization is the most effective donation to make. When the public supports these voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster.
Volunteering – Volunteer with a recognized organization involved in disaster response and recovery. While newly recruited volunteers may not complete training in time to assist with the Isaac response, they will be prepared to help with the next disaster event.
Donation of Goods – Before taking action, confirm what is needed and donate in-kind goods that are specifically requested or needed by recognized organizations. Receiving and managing unsolicited donated goods often redirects voluntary agencies’ valuable resources away from the services required to meet the needs of disaster survivors.

In addition, the Louisiana Service Commission has established a web portal at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov to help with coordinating donations and volunteers. The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service has established a web portal at www.mcvs.org for volunteer opportunities and donation information. Cash is the preferred method of donation in order to ensure that disaster survivors get the services and supplies they need quickly.

Just as the federal government works closely with 50 plus National VOAD members, as well as many other voluntary, community, and faith-based organizations, each state also has its own organizes State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. For information on VOADs in affected states, please visit the following: Alabama; Florida; Mississippi; Louisiana.

(NOTE: this on-line version of the press release reflects an updated quote from Administrator Fugate.)

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In the Aftermath of Hurricane Isaac, the Support of Volunteers is Key

Louisiana Major Disaster Declaration Amended to Include Individual Assistance

WASHINGTON – Today, FEMA announced an amendment to the major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana to include the Individual Assistance Program.

Federal funding is available to affected individuals in Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and households recover from the effects of the disaster.

Individuals and households who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

For more information, visit: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit/recovery-directorate/assistance-individuals-and.

Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

On Wednesday, the President declared a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana for emergency work and hazard mitigation.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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.

Louisiana Major Disaster Declaration Amended to Include Individual Assistance

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