The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $3.5 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse it for the cost of providing vaccinations to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,494,771 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the cost of contracting to operate a statewide network of mobile vaccination sites between June and December 2022.

The contractor operated at 285 locations around the state and provided 73,455 vaccinations to individuals who met certain eligibility criteria. Services provided included screening patients, administering the vaccine, vaccine storage compliance, documenting procedures, and personal protective equipment protocol compliance.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Massachusetts with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – The remaining Disaster Recovery Centers will be permanently closing at the end of the day on Wednesday, Nov. 29. This date marks the end of the registration period for disaster assistance. 

Sites Permanently Closing:

• Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 32066, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Madison County: Suite 693G, 705 E Base St., Madison, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Taylor County Mobile Registration Intake Center: Taylor County Sports Complex, 1685 US-19 S, Perry, 32347, 
  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Help with disaster assistance will remain available via the FEMA Helpline, where FEMA representatives are available to answer questions on application status, the appeals process or other disaster-related inquiries. Survivors may contact the FEMA Helpline by calling 800-621-3362 or may also go online at disasterassistance.gov or use the FEMA mobile app for information on their applications. The phone line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, you may provide FEMA your phone number to utilize the service. 

 If you sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia and live in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee or Taylor counties, FEMA may be able to help. You may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. The deadline to apply is November 29, 2023.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Floridians who sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia have one week to apply for federal assistance. The deadline is Nov. 29, 2023.

If you sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia and live in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee or Taylor counties, FEMA may be able to help. You may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. 

Call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App for mobile devices. The telephone line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded over $40 million to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) to repair infrastructure and replace equipment damaged by Hurricane María that is intended to provide water management and services for several communities on the island. 

“These renovations will greatly improve the quality of life and health of many communities. Municipalities will be able to prevent or reduce sewage overflows along their roads and PRASA will have the resources to ensure that drinking water meets local and federal standards,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

FEMA allocated over $37 million to repair a trunk sewer that originates in Isabela, passes through Aguadilla, Moca and Aguada, and reaches Rincón. The Isabela-Aguada sanitary trunk sewer, which provides wastewater services to over 18,000 residents, is approximately 10 kilometers long, with pipes ranging from 21 to 54 inches in diameter.

This project will be carried out with a non-invasive technology known as Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP), which consists of covering the inside of the pipe with a polyester or fiberglass lining. “It is a method that does not require excavation, which minimizes the possible impact on traffic due to these works and extends its useful life for about 50 years,” said PRASA Executive President Doriel Pagán.

To date, PRASA has successfully used CIPP technology to repair other sanitary pipes in areas such as Guayama, Ponce, Carolina and Loíza.

Meanwhile, PRASA’s Caguas Central Laboratory also received an allocation of over $3 million to replace various analysis and testing equipment. This facility is the main water testing plant on the island and performs over 200,000 sampling tests each year for the benefit of the Authority’s 1.4 million customers.

“Continuous sampling allows us to calibrate the plant’s operation and thus be able to confirm compliance with all applicable federal and state drinking water laws and regulations,” Pagán said.

The equipment to be replaced includes an incubator, laboratory freezers, centrifuges and environmental chambers, among others. Its function is to analyze samples of both drinking water and sanitary sewage to validate the compliance of each treatment plant’s processes with regulatory parameters. 

This equipment benefits PRASA’s operation because it allows it to perform and expand the number of water quality tests performed at the corporation, which minimizes the need to resort to private laboratories. “We are already in the process of purchasing, installing and calibrating the specialized water quality analysis equipment,” said the executive president.

This obligation is part of the over $33.6 million that the agency has granted PRASA for the Central Laboratory, whose construction is in its final phase. For this project being developed in the city of Caguas, the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) has reimbursed over $20.6 million.

COR3 Executive Director Manuel A. Laboy Rivera explained that “the PRASA team that is leading the reconstruction and modernization of the aqueduct system is doing an excellent job, making way for the reconstruction of several of its facilities with FEMA funds.”

Laboy added that “many of these works have been carried out through the Working Capital Advance (WCA) pilot program, through which PRASA has received $241.1 million. Of this, over $10 million corresponds to six permanent works for which the public corporation has requested the second WCA advance for a total of 50 percent of the funds allocated by the federal agency for these projects.”

To date, FEMA has awarded nearly $31.5 billion for about 10,900 projects to address Puerto Rico’s recovery. Of this, over $3.6 billion were approved for PRASA through FEMA’s Accelerated Award Strategy (FAASt) to repair water distribution and treatment facilities throughout Puerto Rico.

For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339, fema.gov/disaster/4473 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

DENVER – FEMA has approved more than $4 million in Public Assistance funding for road repairs and debris removal costs related to the 2022 Montana floods. FEMA has approved roughly $37 million in Public Assistance funding for the 2022 Montana flooding recovery to date.

FEMA is providing $1,998,589.49 to Stillwater County for repairs to North Stillwater Road, which was washed out in multiple locations by the flooding. The repairs will consist of replacing fill and gravel at six different sites along the road. In addition, geotextiles will be placed in the roadbed and riprap will be placed along embankments to minimize potential flooding in the future.

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services has been awarded $2,029,500.00 for debris removal efforts in Carbon County. The funding will provide for clearing rock and gravel debris from 32 waterway sites in the county.

This FEMA funding represents 75 percent of the cost of the project with the remaining cost share the responsibility of the State of Montana and Stillwater County. 

The FEMA Public Assistance program provides funding to governmental agencies and certain private non-profits for eligible disaster response costs and to repair or replace damaged public infrastructure. For more information about the Public Assistance program, visit: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/program-overview.

DENVER – FEMA has approved more than $1.3 million to the Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative for repairs following the November 2022 winter storm. This assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued February 5, 2023. FEMA has now approved more than $1.8 million in Public Assistance grant funds to North Dakota for this disaster response.

The November 9-11 severe winter storm caused widespread damage to Dakota Valley Electric’s infrastructure. The FEMA funding will reimburse the cooperative for replacing 431 power poles, 210 cross arms, 31 transformers and affiliated repairs at locations across 3 counties. This work helped to restore electric service to Dakota Valley Electric members.

This project was federally funded at 75 percent of the eligible cost. 

The FEMA Public Assistance program provides funding to governmental agencies and certain private non-profits for eligible disaster response costs. For more information about the Public Assistance program, visit: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/program-overview.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $37 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse it for some of the administrative costs incurred responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will receive a total of $36,547,871 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse the cost of administering grants FEMA provided to the commonwealth for such expenses as COVID vaccinations and testing, non-congregate sheltering, and providing meals to vulnerable populations.

The direct and indirect administrative costs of activities included tracking, charging, and accounting for items related to eligible projects for this incident. The administrative costs are calculated as a percentage of the grants provided.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Massachusetts with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.5 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

CHICAGO - Cook County residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of September 17- 18, 2023, may now call or go online to register for disaster assistance from FEMA.  

If you have insurance coverage, first file a claim. If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, contact FEMA by going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. When calling the FEMA Helpline, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). 

Federal assistance may include temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.

Have the following information ready when you register with FEMA: 

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in your household, if you’re applying on their behalf).
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

 
When registering, one member of a household needs to comply with citizenship criteria. That means a minor child who is a citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen can have a parent or guardian who is not eligible apply for assistance on the child’s behalf.   

Getting help to those who need it most is our priority. Recovery teams will be out soon in the neighborhoods affected by the disaster to provide one-on-one support to individuals. Recovery centers will also be opening for individuals to get additional in-person help. For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. 

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 Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

WASHINGTON ­-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Hilary, Aug. 19-21, 2023. 

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal 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 Tropical Storm Hilary in Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Riverside and Siskiyou counties.

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

Andrew F. Grant has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on May 8, 2024, for Comal County, Texas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps. 

Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. 

By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.

Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.

• To use the live chat service, visit floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 877-FEMA MAP (877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.

There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.

WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that the agency has a new opportunity for emergency managers to apply to the 2024 class of the Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship. The fellowship is for executive-level leaders to explore conceptual frameworks in crisis leadership and address disruptive changes in emergency management.

The Vanguard Fellowship, launched in January 2022, brings together 25 executive leaders from federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, academic, philanthropic, non-profit and private sector entities for two week-long engagements to collaborate on new and emerging challenges facing crisis leaders. This is the program's sixth class. 

“Emergency management is a team sport and emergency managers rely on our networks to solve complex problems, respond quickly and support the needs of survivors and communities,” said Administrator Criswell. “The Vanguard Fellowship brings together the brightest minds in the field to share experiences, understand different perspectives, foster thought leadership and build connections needed to tackle the challenges of disaster preparedness, response and recovery. I encourage all emergency managers to apply to be part of our 2024 cohorts.”

Throughout the two-week fellowship, participants meet with influential experts both within and outside of emergency management to hear their crisis leadership stories and lessons learned, and to discuss and assess the challenges ahead. Through sharing their own stories and an examination of the challenges they each face, fellows form a lasting, meaningful network and forge supportive bonds with alumni that become a resource as they face evolving challenges into the future.

Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered for the 2024 cohort, applications must be received by Dec.15, 2023. 

To ensure a diversity of participation, the program takes a hybrid approach to filling each cohort, accepting self-nominations, alumni recommendations and direct recruitment of proven crisis leaders. Applications are evaluated on the depth and breadth of direct experience leading through a crisis from an executive-level emergency management position. Read additional information about the program and application requirements.

WASHINGTON ­– FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Illinois to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred Sept. 17-18, 2023. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cook County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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

Waddy Gonzalez has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has published “Achieving Equitable Recovery: A Post-Disaster Guide for Local Officials and Leaders,” a first of its kind framework to help rebuild communities in a more accessible, inclusive and equitable manner.  This document provides guidance for local leaders and officials to understand, prepare for and execute their leadership responsibilities to promote equity, create accountability, establish an inclusive recovery planning process and recover from disasters while rebuilding long-lasting inclusivity. 

“From day one of my tenure, I have asked our agency to put the needs of the diverse communities we serve first. This has meant finding new, creative ways to better support these communities as they recover and rebuild after a disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new guide offers fresh insights and strategies for local officials and leaders to ensure the work they are doing to rebuild their communities is done with inclusivity, accountability and equity top of mind.”

This guide supports local officials and leaders in their efforts to identify needs, establish critical partnerships, leverage new opportunities, conduct strategic public engagement and make a strong case for recovery in an equitable manner. The guide is organized around eight goals focused on approaches to engaging and identifying the needs of all community members and ensuring a more accessible, inclusive and equitable recovery planning process. 

This is just the latest example of how FEMA puts people first in its program and policies. In September, Administrator Criswell and NAACP President Derrick Johnson signed an agreement outlining ways in which the two organizations will work together to help people before, during and after disasters, building on the first agreement that was signed by the two organizations in 2013. Since the start of this Administration, FEMA made significant changes to the Individual Assistance application process, leading to over 158,000 survivors receiving assistance who would have previously been ineligible. This has resulted in more than $926 million in additional assistance for survivors. In FEMA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, the agency is committed to a goal of “Instilling Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management.” 

Earlier this year, FEMA hosted a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to provide an overview of the draft guide and gather feedback from whole community partners. Much of that feedback was incorporated in the final document.

Frankfort, Ky. – FEMA has approved $20,835,364 to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to reimburse the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) for the costs of emergency protective measures taken following the 2022 Eastern Kentucky Floods.

During the incident period, severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides deposited debris throughout Kentucky. This created an immediate threat to property, and the health and safety of the public. 

As a result, KYEM used contractors to remove debris throughout Eastern Kentucky. Approximately 813 tons of vegetative debris, 102,660 tons of construction and demolition debris, 1,764 tons of white goods debris and 298 tons of E-waste debris were removed from roads and public property, including right of ways.

Funding for this Public Assistance (PA) project is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. PA funds reimburse eligible applicants for the cost of debris removal; life-saving emergency protective measures; and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities like buildings, roads and utilities.

FEMA’s PA grant program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop project worksheets and scopes of work. Following approvals by FEMA and KYEM, FEMA obligates funding for the project.

FEMA’s PA program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

The federal share for this Public Assistance project is 100 percent of the eligible costs for work conducted during a continuous 30-day period of the Commonwealth’s choosing within the first 120 days of the disaster declaration.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Three Disaster Recovery Centers will be permanently closing this week, starting Monday, Nov. 20.

Sites Permanently Closing:

• Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, 32628, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, closing at the end of the day on Tuesday, Nov. 21 
• Hillsborough County: Desoto Park Trail Roundabout, 2617 Corrine St., Tampa, 33605, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, closing at the end of the day on Tuesday, Nov. 21
• Charlotte County: Mid County Regional Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte, 33952, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, closing at the end of the day on Tuesday, Nov. 21 

All Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 22 until Sunday, Nov. 26., in recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal hours of operation will resume on Monday, Nov. 27.

The below sites will reopen after the holiday break and operate until the last day to apply for disaster assistance on November 29,2023.

• Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 32066, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, closed Saturday and Sunday
• Madison County: Suite 693G, 705 E Base St., Madison, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Taylor County Mobile Registration Intake Center: Taylor County Sports Complex, 1685 US-19 S, Perry, 32347, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat

No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Residents are welcome to visit any open DRC and do not have to reside in that county.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities and have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.

It is not necessary to visit a center. Survivors can apply by calling 800-621-3362, going online at disasterassistance.gov, or using the FEMA mobile app. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Deadline to apply is November 29, 2023.                                     

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs. 

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

WASHINGTON ­-- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the U.S. Virgin Islands to supplement the territory’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from elevated levels of lead and copper in the water supply beginning on Oct. 25, 2023, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe on the island of St. Croix.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program will be provided for water, other necessary related items such as filters and testing and technical assistance necessary to identify and address immediate threats to public health and safety for 90 days from the start of the incident period. 

Ms. Lai Sun Yee has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

CHICAGO – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an immediate need to employ residents to work as temporary local hires to assist with disaster response and recovery efforts. Local hire employees are local residents who aid in the recovery of their community. FEMA encourages you to apply for this exciting opportunity!

Currently we are hiring for the following local hire position. The job announcement will expire on Nov. 23, 2023, so apply soon! To learn more about the types of positions and their roles in FEMA, please visit FEMA Cadres.

Morton Grove

• Interagency Recovery Coordination Community Planning Capacity Building Manager USAJOBS - Job Announcement

Most temporary local hires are employed through a streamlined hiring process. A local hire’s term of employment is up to 120 days, though it may be extended in 120-day increments. Visit the link above for additional information, including job responsibilities and compensation.

FEMA is an equal opportunity employer. Salaries are comparable to local pay rates.

Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for this position.
You must successfully pass a background investigation.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after Dec. 31, 1959.
Review job announcements for additional conditions of employment.

To see other FEMA career postings, visit fema.gov/careers.

For additional information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4728.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay).

CHICAGO – Ang tulong pederal sa mga residente ng Cook County na naapektuhan ng matinding bagyo at pagbaha noong Hunyo 29 – Hulyo 2 ay lumapas na ng $375 milyon. Itong halaga ay kinabibilangan ng mga gawad ng FEMA na higit sa $280 milyon na Pang-Indibidwal at Pansamabahayan na mga gawad para sa tulong sa pag-upa, pondo sa pagkukumpuni at pagpapalit, at iba pang mga gawad na tumutulong sa pagpalit ng personal na pag-aaari at magbigay ng bayad sa pag-imbak at pangangalaga ng bata. Bilang karagdagan sa mga gawad ng FEMA mayroong higit sa $96.6 milyon sa mababang-interes na pautang sa sakuna ng Small Business Administration (SBA o Administrasyon ng Maliliit na Negosyo) para sa mga may-ari ng bahay at negosyo.

Heto ang buod ng tulong sa sakuna ng FEMA mula noong Nobyembre 15:

• Higit sa $280 milyon ang inapruba para sa pinansyal at direktang serbisyo sa mga kwalipikadong nakaligtas na nagkaroon ng walang-seguro o may kakulangan sa seguro na pangangailangan at gastos na idinulot ng sakuna. Mula sa halagang iyon, $241 milyon ang para sa tulong sa pabahay. Kinabibilangan ito ng:
  • Mga pondo para sa pansamantalang tirahan, tulad ng tulong sa pag-upa o gastos sa hotel para sa mga nakaligtas na hindi kayang tumira sa kanilgn mga bahay dahil sa labis na pagkasira na idinulot ng pagbaha sa tag-init; 
  • Mga pondo para sa pagpapaayos ng isang bahay na tinirhan ng may-ari na gawin itong ligtas, tiyak, at matitirahan; 
  • Mga pondo para tumulong sa paglipat at pag-imbak ng mga gamit pangbahay o kinakailangang personal na ari-arian;
  • Tulong pinansyal para tumulong sa mga may-ari ng bahay sa paglilinis at kalinisan ng mga bahay na mayroong kaunting pinsala;
• Ang mga natitirang pondo ay ibinayad bilang: 
• Panggastos sa medikal at dental na nauugnay sa sakuna.
  • Tulong sa pangangalaga ng bata, limitado sa walong linggo. 

Mula noong Nobyembre 14, iginawad ng U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA o Administrasyon ng Maliliit na Negosyo) ang $88.3 milyon sa mababang-interes na pautang sa sakuna sa mga may-ari ng bahay na may mga bahay na nagtamo ng malawak at magastos na pinsala na kaysa sa masasaklaw ng isang gawad ng FEMA. Iginawad din ng SBA ang higit sa $8.2 millyon sa mga pautang sa sakuna upang tulungan ang mga negosyo na makabangon muli.

Habang natapos na ang panahon ng aplikasyon, ang mga nakaligtas na nag-apply para sa tulong ng FEMA ay dapat manatiling nakikipag-ugnayan sa FEMA. Kung mayroong pagbabago sa iyong numero ng telepono, kasalukuyang address sa koreo, impormasyon sa bangko o seguro, dapat mong ibigay-alam ito sa FEMA o maaari mong makaligtaan ang mga mahalagang tawag sa telepono o liham. Magkaroon ng kamalayan na ang mga tawag sa telepono mula sa FEMA ay maaaring magmukha na magmula sa mga hindi kilalang numero. Siguraduhin mo na nasa FEMA ang iyong kasalukuyang impormasyon sa pakikipag-ugnayan at sagutin mo ang telepono dahil maaaring tumawag ang FEMA para makakuha ng karagdagang impormasyon para sa iyong aplikasyon.

1. Maaari mo ring i-update ang iyong impormasyon sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa parehong paraan na maaari mong makuha ang sagot sa iyong mga katanungan:

• Pumunta sa online sa DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Gamitin ang app ng FEMA para sa mga smart na kasangkapan.
• Tumawag sa 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Ang mga libreng-toll na numero ay bukas mula 6 n.u. hanggang hatinggabi ng lokal na oras, araw-araw. Ang mga gumagamit ng serbisyo ng relay tulad ng teleponong may bidyo, InnoCaption o CapTel ay dapat magbigay sa FEMA ng kanilang tiyak na numero ng telepono na natalaga sa serbisyong iyon.

Kapag tinawagan ka, nasa espesyalista ng FEMA ang iyong numero ng pagrerehistro sa FEMA, numero ng telepono at address ng nasirang pag-aari. Maaari nilang hingin sa iyo ang unang apat na numero ng iyong numero sa pagpaparehistro sa FEMA. Hindi sila hihingi ng pera; libre ang pag-apply para sa tulong ng FEMA. Dahil maraming nakasalalay sa pagkakaroon ng wastong impormasyon, mahalaga na maaari kang matawagan ng FEMA. Magkaroon ng kamalayan na ang mga tawag sa telepono mula sa FEMA ay maaaring magmula sa mga hindi kilalang numero. Mangyaring siguraduhin na nasa FEMA ang iyong kasalukuyang impormasyon sa pakikipag-ugnayan. 

Kung nanghihinala ka tungkol sa isang tumatawag, tawagan mo ang Linya ng Tulong ng FEMA sa 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) upang tiyakin na sinusubukan kang maabot ng FEMA. Kung gumagamit ka ng serbisyo ng relay tulad ng serbisyo ng relay sa bidyo, serbisyo ng naka-caption na telepono o iba pa, ibigay mo sa FEMA ang iyong numero para sa serbisyong iyon. 

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Ang tulong sa pagkabawi mula sa sakuna ay magagamit nang walang pagsasaalang-alang sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, nasyonalidad, kasarian, edad, kapansanan, kasanayan sa Ingles, o pang-ekonomiyang katayuan. Ang makatwirang akomodasyon, kabilang ang pagsasalin ng wika at tagapagsalin ng American Sign Language (wikang pasenyas ng Amerika) gamit ang Serbisyong Relay ng Bidyo ay magagamit upang masigurado ang epektibong komunikasyon sa mga aplikanteng may limitasyon sa kasanayan sa Ingles, kapansanan, daanan at functional na pangangailangan. Kung ikaw o ang isang kakilala mo ay may diskriminasyon, tumawag sa FEMA nang libreng-toll sa 800-621-3362 (kabilang ang 711 o Relay ng Bidyo).

شيكاغو – تجاوزت المساعدات الفيدرالية المقدمة لسكان مقاطعة كوك المتضررين من العواصف والفيضانات الشديدة التي حدثت في الفترة من 29 يونيو/حزيران إلى 2 يوليو/تموز 375 مليون دولار. يتضمن هذا المبلغ منح الوكالة الفيدرالية لإدارة الطوارئ (FEMA) التي تزيد قيمتها عن 280 مليون دولار في شكل منح فردية وأسرية للمساعدة في الإيجار وتمويل التصليح والاستبدال ومنح الاحتياجات الأخرى التي تساعد في استبدال الممتلكات الشخصية وتوفير مدفوعات التخزين ورعاية الأطفال. بالإضافة إلى FEMA، هناك أكثر من 96.6 مليون دولار في شكل قروض منخفضة الفائدة لإدارة الأعمال الصغيرة (SBA) في حالات الكوارث لأصحاب المنازل والشركات.

فيما يلي لمحة سريعة عن المساعدة المقدمة من FEMA اعتبارا من 15 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني:

• تمت الموافقة على أكثر من 280 مليون دولار للخدمات المالية والمباشرة للناجين المؤهلين الذين كانت لديهم احتياجات ونفقات ضرورية غير مؤمن عليها أو غير مؤمن عليها بشكل كاف بسبب الكارثة. ومن هذا المبلغ، تم تخصيص 241 مليون دولار للمساعدة في مجال الإسكان. هذا يتضمن:

  • أموال للإسكان المؤقت، مثل المساعدة في الإيجار أو تكاليف الفندق للناجين الذين لا يستطيعون العيش في منازلهم بسبب الأضرار الجسيمة التي سببتها فيضانات الصيف،

  • أموال لإصلاح منزل يشغله مالكه مما يجعل المنزل آمنا ومأمونا وصالحا للسكن،

  • أموال للمساعدة في نقل وتخزين السلع المنزلية أو الممتلكات الشخصية اللازمة،

  • المساعدة المالية لمساعدة أصحاب المنازل في تنظيف وتعقيم المنازل التي لحقت بها أضرار طفيفة،

• تم صرف باقي الأموال على النحو التالي:

  • تكاليف طبية أو تكاليف طب أسنان منسوبة إلى الكارثة.

  • مساعدة في رعاية الأطفال، وتقتصر على ثمانية أسابيع.

اعتبارا من 14 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني، منحت SBA 88.3 مليون دولار في شكل قروض منخفضة الفائدة للكوارث لأصحاب منازل تعرضت منازلهم لأضرار واسعة النطاق ومكلفة أكثر مما يمكن تغطيته بمنحة من FEMA. منحت SBA أيضا أكثر من 8.2 مليون دولار من قروض الكوارث لمساعدة الشركات على الوقوف على أقدامها مرة أخرى.

مع أن فترة التقديم قد انتهت، يجب على الناجين الذين تقدموا بطلب للحصول على مساعدة من FEMA أن يداوموا على اتصال بـ FEMA. إذا كانت هناك تغييرات في رقم هاتفك أو عنوانك البريدي الحالي أو معلوماتك المصرفية أو التأمينية، فيجب عليك إخبار FEMA وإلا فقد تفوتك مكالمات هاتفية أو مراسلات مهمة. انتبه إلى أن مكالمات هاتفية من FEMA قد تبدو وكأنها تأتي من أرقام مجهولة. تأكد من أن FEMA لديها معلومات الاتصال الحالية الخاصة بك وقم بالرد على الهاتف، حيث قد تتصل FEMA للحصول على مزيد من المعلومات لتطبيقك.

يمكنك أيضا تحديث معلومات الاتصال الخاصة بك بنفس الطرق التي يمكنك من خلالها الإجابة على أسئلتك:

• انتقل عبر الإنترنت إلى DisasterAssistance.gov.

• استخدم تطبيق FEMA للأجهزة الذكية.

• اتصل بالرقم 3362-621-800 (7585-462-800 للمعوقين سمعا). الأرقام المجانية مفتوحة من الساعة 6 صباحا حتى منتصف الليل بالتوقيت المحلي طوال أيام الأسبوع. يجب على أولئك الذين يستخدمون خدمة ترحيل مثل هاتف الفيديو أو إنوكابشن، InnoCaption أو كابتل، CapTel تزويد FEMA برقم هاتفهم المحدد المخصص لتلك الخدمة.

عند الاتصال بك، سيحصل متخصصو FEMA على رقم تسجيل FEMA الخاص بك ورقم هاتفك وعنوان الممتلكات المتضررة. قد يطلبون منك الأرقام الأربعة الأولى من رقم تسجيل FEMA الخاص بك. لن يطلبوا مال. لا توجد رسوم للتقدم بطلب للحصول على مساعدة من FEMA. مع الاعتماد الكبير على الحصول على معلومات صحيحة، فمن المهم أن تتمكن FEMA من الاتصال بك. انتبه إلى أن المكالمات الهاتفية من FEMA قد تبدو وكأنها تأتي من أرقام مجهولة. الرجاء التأكد من أن FEMA لديها معلومات الاتصال الحالية الخاصة بك.

إذا كنت تشك في أحد المتصلين، فاتصل بخط مساعدة FEMA على الرقم800-621-3362  (للمعوقين سمعا 800-462-7585) للتحقق من أن FEMA هي من تحاول الوصول إليك. إذا كنت تستخدم خدمة ترحيل مثل خدمة ترحيل فيديو أو خدمة هاتف مزودة بتعليق أو غيرها، فامنح FEMA رقمك الخاص بهذه الخدمة.

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تتوفر المساعدة في حالات الكوارث بغض النظر عن العرق أو اللون أو الدين أو الجنسية أو الجنس أو العمر أو الإعاقة أو إتقان اللغة الإنجليزية أو الوضع الاقتصادي. ستتوفر التسهيلات المعقولة، بما في ذلك الترجمة والمترجمين الفوريين للغة الإشارة الأمريكية عبر خدمة ترحيل الفيديو لضمان التواصل الفعال مع المتقدمين ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية والإعاقات واحتياجات الوصول والوظيفية. إذا تعرضت أنت أو أي شخص تعرفه للتمييز، فاتصل بالوكالة الفيدرالية لإدارة الطوارئ (FEMA) على الرقم المجاني 800-621-3362   (ما في ذلك 711 أو خدمة الفيديو).

LAKE MARY, Fla. – All Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 22 through 
Sunday, Nov. 26 in recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday. Help will remain available by calling 800-621-3362. 

Normal hours of operation will resume on Monday, Nov. 27. 

Currently open sites:

• Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, 32628, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday 
• Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 32066, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, closed Saturday and Sunday
• Madison County: Suite 693G, 705 E Base St., Madison, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday

No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Residents are welcome to visit any open DRC and do not have to reside in that county.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.

It is not necessary to visit a center. Survivors can apply by calling 800-621-3362, going online at disasterassistance.gov, or using the FEMA mobile app. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Deadline to apply is November 29, 2023.