SAIPAN, CNMI – FEMA housing inspectors have begun assessing damaged homes of applicants who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage sustained in Typhoon Soudelor. The inspections began late on Wednesday, and applicants across Saipan will continue to be receiving inspection appointment calls in the coming days and weeks.

Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection, so registrants do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and consists of a general inspection of damaged areas of the home and a review of your records. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Unfortunately, disasters often bring out criminals who prey on the needs of disaster survivors – so beware of scams and scam artists.

“If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call your local law enforcement officials,” said Steve DeBlasio, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for the response.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

  • Photo identification.
  • Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (structural insurance, tax bill, mortgage payment book/utility bill).
  • Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
  • List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
  • All disaster-related damages to both real and personal property.

If you are unable to provide traditional proof of ownership/occupancy (such as tax bill, mortgage payment books, deed, title, insurance), you can get a signed letter by a local precinct representative to validate the physical location of a home/dwelling (a P.O. Box address is not sufficient).  Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • San Roque
    • Koblerville

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A FEMA HOUSING INSPECTION – Page 2

  • The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe
  • Shelters located at:
    • Kagman Community Center
    • Tanapag Headstart
    • Saipan Aging Center

Once filled out, please take the form to your local fire station. They will provide you with a contact number to reach your local precinct representative to validate.

If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive a letter or email outlining the decision about your claim.

Those who have suffered losses as a result of Typhoon Soudelor but have not yet applied for assistance are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Survivors can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.  Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

 

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FEMA Housing Inspections Underway – What to Expect

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – The Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are establishing a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for individuals who experience damage during the severe storms from May 8-29. The DRC will open Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 a.m. at the SuAnne Big Crow Recreational Center, 1 Positive Pl. – E HWY 82, Pine Ridge.

The DRC is set up for residents who would like to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it’s not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. The fastest way to register with FEMA is by phone or online. Those impacted can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or go online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov. The registration line is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until further notice. Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov. 

Even if residents previously registered with the tribe, with a voluntary agency, or provided damage reports they must still register with FEMA to access federal disaster assistance programs.

The DRC will be open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. until further notice.  Additional locations will be set up throughout the reservation.  A schedule and more details on these locations will be released at a later date.  In addition, The Oglala Sioux and FEMA will be providing transportation to and from the disaster recovery center from the Oglala District office every other hour starting Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the centers to answer questions about SBA’s federal low-interest disaster loans and help business owners and residents complete their application.

FEMA Mitigation specialists are scheduled to be on hand at the DRC to provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

See the original article here: 

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Pine Ridge

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Nine Mile 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 11:00 p.m. PDT on Aug. 13, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire had burned 10-12 structures, including primary residences, and was immediately threatening 660 homes in and around the communities of Nine Mile Ranches, Old Tressel, Canyon View and Rise Road near Oroville. Multiple facilities, including roads, bridges, power and natural gas lines, as well as several private businesses were also threatened. More than 400 people have been evacuated and a shelter has been established at Oroville 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.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Nine Mile Fire

Federal Grant Eases Taxpayer Funding of Replacements

New York, NY — Firefighters of the Harrison Township Fire District #1 will be receiving 30 state-of-the-art, self-contained breathing apparatuses as the result of an Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The AFG award totals $183,000 and was announced here today by Dale McShine, Director of Grants for Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the Region’s AFG program.  She said the federal share of the grant comes to $174,286.  The award will become effective today.

“The new SCBAs will replace 30 older models that are obsolete and will no longer be supported by their manufacturer. The new units will provide breathable air to the District’s 40 firefighters, the majority of whom are volunteer,” said Brian Bartholomew, the Fire District’s Business Administrator.

He said the District covers some 20 square miles with a population of roughly 14,000, adding that his District responded to some 370 fire calls last year.

“These SCBAs wear out over 15 to 25 years and need either to be totally replaced or are in need of parts, a responsibility that falls to the local taxpayers,” Bartholomew pointed out.  “So, this grant not only provides safe firefighting equipment that benefits both our residents and our firefighters, but also relieves our taxpayers.”

Bartholomew said that this AFG means that his District will have new, safe equipment for “a number of years, and that we won’t have to be repairing each SCBA on a piecemeal basis.”

FEMA’s Dale McShine said that in 2013, Assistance to Firefighters Grants provided funding of almost $22 million to the 192 fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New Jersey, New York, 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 at FEMA 212-680-3665 or 917-561-3223.

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.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, 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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Fire Department in NJ Gloucester County to Receive Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire burning in Baker County, Oregon.

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 Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 2:24 a.m. PDT on Aug. 13, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 145 homes in and around the communities of Stices Gulch, Black Mountain, Denny Creek and Rancheria Creek and had burned approximately 21,000 acres of federal, tribal, state and private land. Evacuation notices were issued to approximately 145 residences. There are multiple large fires burning uncontrolled within the state of Oregon. The Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire is at approximately 0 percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Oregon’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.

Originally from – 

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire

SAIPAN – Typhoon Soudelor survivors including those who are not U.S. citizens may be eligible through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance. If you are unsure of your eligibility, FEMA will walk you through the process when you call and register. 

The aid may be available to citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens. Qualified aliens include those with legal permanent residence (shown by Green Cards). Their status will not be jeopardized by requesting disaster assistance.

A parent or guardian who isn’t eligible may still register for assistance on behalf of a child under age 18 who is a citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. No information will be gathered on the adult’s status.

Anyone who is not eligible for monetary assistance from FEMA may still be eligible for some programs run by voluntary organizations and state and local governments.

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  Business owners can also contact the SBA Customer Service Center 1-800-659-2955 (SBA).

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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Continued: 

Survivors Who Are Not U.S. Citizens May Be Eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance

SAIPAN – A joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on August 12 in Susupe to help individuals and families affected by Typhoon Soudelor with the recovery process.

The DRC will open on Wednesday, August 12, at 12 p.m.:

Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center

Beach Rd, Susupe, Saipan MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands

Aug. 12 (opening day) hours of operation: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. 

Normal hours of operation: Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates.  Subject matter experts from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross will be available at the DRC.

While visiting the DRC is not required, an in-person visit following registration often proves extremely helpful to survivors in understanding the entire range of possible assistance for which they may be eligible. 

Recommended items to bring to the DRC:

  • Identification Card
  • Social Security Number
  • FEMA registration number (given when you register, this will be the number you’ll have to reference every time you interact with FEMA staff regarding your registration)
  • Insurance documents
  • Receipts of any repairs performed on homes or items purchased to recover from typhoon damages (not all will be eligible for reimbursement, but good to have just in case)
  • Any other documents that may further verify your occupancy or ownership of a home

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance before coming to the DRC by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  If survivors are unable to register prior to visiting the DRC, there will be a phone bank available for registration or helpline support.

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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Taken from – 

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Susupe

OKLAHOMA CITY – The remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) set up by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are closing this Friday, August 14 but FEMA help is still available for those in need.

Anyone who has not yet registered for disaster aid has until August 26 to do so. For the more than 10,000 Oklahomans who have registered, information and guidance is only a phone call or mouse click away.

“Residents and business owners across the state continue to work hard recovering from this year’s disaster, and some may continue to have questions about the disaster assistance process” said OEM Deputy Director and Oklahoma State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten. “It’s important for them to know where to turn to get their questions answered as the recovery centers close”.

The FEMA Help Line is 800-621-3362. Telephone operators are on duty from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Help is available on-line at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  Those who still need to register, update their information, or just ask disaster-related questions should contact FEMA using either method.

According to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer John Long, “Our commitment is to help everyone in Oklahoma get all eligible disaster assistance. We just need you to register and stay in touch with us.”

The same goes for those who have applied for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Homeowners, renters and businesses of any size have access to SBA’s low-interest loans to recover from damage and losses and other economic setbacks attributed to the May 5 through June 22 severe weather and flooding.

The number for the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center is 800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339). The website for disaster questions and information can be accessed at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Original link: 

Disaster Help is Available Even After Recovery Centers Close

NEW YORK, NY — The Borough of Deal’s Board of Commissioners are happy to report that the Deal Fire Company No. 2 will receive a $60,000 federal grant to replace out-of-date rescue equipment.  The Borough of Deal is located within Monmouth County, New Jersey.

The new extrication equipment will enable the town’s firefighters to rescue people trapped in a car after an accident or unable to move as a result of another calamity.  Extrication tools include hydraulically operated cutters and spreaders.  Cutters enable firefighters to cut through buckled car metal as a scissors would do to cloth, while spreaders widen cut metal to allow extrication of a pinned individual.  

The $60,376 award is an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and was announced here today by Dale McShine, Director of the Grants Division of the Region. The federal share of the grant totals $57,501.  The grant became effective July 31, 2015.

“This rescue capability is a key part of our fire company’s responsibility in Deal and in assisting our neighboring communities,” said Fire Chief John Anastasia.  “And we value this grant because it takes the place of our aging equipment and will allow us to do our job more safely and effectively,” he added.

FEMA’s Ms. McShine pointed out that in 2013, Assistance to Firefighter Grants provided funding of $21.9 million to 192 fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  “We know that these grants play major roles in the local communities that receive them,” she said, “and we are very pleased to be a part of this process.”

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

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.

 

Taken from:

New Rescue Equipment to Be Awarded to New Jersey Fire Company

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders who filed a claim as a result of Hurricane Sandy that there are four weeks remaining to request a review if they believe their claims were underpaid for any reason. FEMA set a Sept. 15, 2015 deadline for policyholders to request a review.

FEMA sent letters to approximately 142,000 NFIP policyholders who filed claims resulting from Hurricane Sandy, offering them an opportunity to have their files reviewed. To date, more than 10,000 policyholders have entered the process. Additional payments will be made to policyholders when warranted.

To be eligible for the review, policyholders must have experienced flood damage between Oct. 27, 2012 and Nov. 6, 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 866-337-4262 to request a review.

Alternately, policyholders can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form requesting a review. The downloaded form may be filled out and emailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov to start the review process.

For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262 to facilitate the filing of their claim review.  For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process.

Before contacting the claims center, policyholders are asked to have the policyholder’s name, their flood insurance carrier name, policy number that was in effect at the time of the loss, and the address of the damaged property.  For security purposes, you will be asked to provide some information to verify your identity.  Policyholders will be asked a series of questions to determine whether they qualify for review. Once qualified, they will be called by an adjuster to begin the review. The timing of this call may be affected by the volume of requests for review. Most reviews can be concluded within 90 days.

Files will be assigned to an NFIP-certified adjuster who will review the claim file. Adjusters will contact policyholders to guide them through the review process. Policyholders who have already requested their review can call 866-337-4262 if they have questions or need more information.

Establishing this review is just one step in the plan to ensure that the NFIP is customer-focused and helps policyholders recover from flooding in a fair, transparent and expeditious way. The Sandy claims review process is intended to be simple for the policyholder and does not require paid legal assistance. Additionally, there are several nonprofit service providers ready to offer free advice and answer questions policyholders may have. A list of these advocacy groups can be found on the claims review website at www.fema.gov/advocacy-groups-and-services-referral-list.

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.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

Read this article – 

Last Day to Submit Hurricane Sandy Claims for Review is Four Weeks Away

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