FEMA, AARP Release New Resources to Help Local Communities Protect Older Adults Before, During and After Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON -- As the United States enters peak hurricane season, FEMA and AARP have released new resources to help local officials and emergency managers protect older adults in their communities before, during and after natural disasters and support communities in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.

The “Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Older Adults,” released by FEMA and AARP, highlights how natural hazards uniquely affect older adults and provides recommendations for how emergency managers, planners, local officials and community members can include older adults in community efforts to lower their risks. The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit features strategies to help local, state and community leaders and advocates reduce the risk and impacts of disasters on older adults.

“Adults aged 65 and older are a growing demographic who are often disproportionately impacted by severe weather. These disparities can be compounded by other factors, such as low income or chronic illness, producing inequitable results for this vulnerable population when it comes to disaster preparedness,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Effective mitigation planning requires that we consider the needs of all populations, and FEMA’s partnership with AARP on these guides will help community planners ensure our older communities are more resilient in the face of hurricanes and other natural disasters.”

“By 2034, adults ages 65 and over will outnumber those under 18 in the United States for the first time. This has profound implications during natural disasters and extreme weather events,” said Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer at AARP. “State and local leaders and emergency officials must be better equipped and prepared to ensure that older adults are kept safe and their needs are met when a disaster strikes.”

A growing body of evidence shows that older adults are disproportionately impacted by the types of weather-related emergencies and natural disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Individuals who have chronic illnesses, functional limitations or disabilities are especially vulnerable, as evidenced by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. Not only are older people at a higher risk of death from infectious diseases and disasters, but the long-term effects on those who survive often undermine their physical and mental health, economic security and overall wellbeing.

Although many communities support older adults in preparation for disasters, expanded mitigation planning can help reduce the loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters before they happen. Mitigation actions and strategies that make cities, towns and neighborhoods safer for older adults can benefit all residents and increase community resilience overall.

The guide and tool kit are the result of a multi-year collaboration between AARP and FEMA to identify and provide resources, spark ideas and encourage organizations to better engage older Americans in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery operations. This long-term, strategic alliance aims to advance accessible, safe and livable communities for people of all ages.

To view and download the “Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Older Adults,” visit FEMA.gov. To view, download or request a print copy of the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit, visit AARP.org/DisasterResilience.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 07/13/2022 - 16:48

Kaufman County, Texas Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Jan. 12, 2023, for Kaufman 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 http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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 https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Carmen.Castro Tue, 07/12/2022 - 14:25

FEMA is Hiring – Join New Mexico Wildfire Recovery Team

SANTA FE, New Mexico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an immediate need to employ residents of New Mexico as temporary local hires to assist with disaster response and recovery efforts. Local hire employees are local residents who aid in the recovery of the community and help their fellow citizens in the recovery process. Apply for this exciting opportunity!

Do you like working outside ensuring materials get to where they are needed? Do you like coordinating with non-profit agencies to locate resources for residents in need? Maybe you prefer overseeing grants to ensure neighbors and communities are being helped. There are various jobs available to aid with community recovery needs, mostly in Santa Fe, that may match your skill set.

Available positions include:

Logistics Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664117800. Application period closes July 14 or when 100 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.

Mitigation Grants Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664056000. Application period closes July 14 or when 200 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.

Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664322300. Application period closes July 15 or when 100 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.

Most temporary local hires are employed through a streamlined hiring process. A local hire’s term of employment is 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.

To address many of the common myths and rumors during the New Mexico wildfires, FEMA activated a rumor/myth webpage. You can access it online at fema.gov/nm-rumors.

For the latest information on the wildfires, visit fema.gov/disaster/4652. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

thomas.wise Mon, 07/11/2022 - 22:00

FEMA Welcomes New Emergency Management Exchange Selectees

WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks welcomed the first group of participants in the new FEMA Emergency Management Exchange program.

First announced by Administrator Deanne Criswell in March, the new program offers state, tribal, local and territorial emergency managers and government officials the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with FEMA senior leadership. The program also provides a new avenue to strengthen FEMA’s partnerships with state, territory, tribal and local emergency managers to increase community resilience against disasters.

“Today, FEMA welcomes four talented and dedicated public servants to join us on a new collaboration we expect will produce tremendous results,” said Deputy Administrator Hooks. “The willingness of these emergency managers to join us here presents us with opportunities to learn from each other, share best practices and break down barriers, enabling us to better serve communities across our nation.”  

The Emergency Management Exchange brings FEMA closer to our stakeholders and highlights the agency’s focus on strengthening the emergency management workforce, a key goal of the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan.

The selected participants were nominated by their home organizations and bring a variety of experiences to their pre-identified exchange assignment.

FEMA is pleased to welcome the following government partners to join us for the 2022 Emergency Management Exchange.

• Chas Eby, Deputy Executive Director, Maryland Department of Emergency Management will work to help deliver disaster recovery assistance to survivors and communities in the Recovery Directorate assignment.
• Delanie Edmunds, Emergency Planner, Idaho Office of Emergency Management will support the mobilization and direction of emergency response resources and capabilities in the Response Directorate assignment.
• Alexandra Gallo, California Strategic Growth Council, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research will work on climate adaptation policy, programming and public information and services in the Resilience: Climate assignment.
• Paige Nutter, Hazard Mitigation Coordinator, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will help to improve disaster outcomes for underserved communities and ensure equitable delivery of FEMA’s programs and services in the Resilience: Equity assignment.

This Emergency Management Exchange will run from July to December 2022, with a future session planned from January to June 2023, where FEMA will send four of its federal employees to participating non-federal governmental programs.

To learn more about the emergency management exchange or the work assignments, visit the Emergency Manager Exchange web page.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:26

FEMA Awards State Of Rhode Island Nearly $31 Million For COVID Testing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $31 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state health department for the costs of providing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $30,998,531 Public Assistance grant will go to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for contracting with laboratory partners ACCU Reference Medical Lab, Dominion Diagnostics and East Side Clinical Laboratory to complete a total of 426,413 COVID-19 tests between April 2020 and May 2021.

RIDOH also provided medical supplies and other materials which were used at the Rhode Island State Health Laboratory, mobile test sites, and the community-based testing sites like the Convention Center in Providence and in grocery stores throughout the state. RIDOH deducted $2.5 million from its costs for estimated medical payments it received from insurance companies for the processing of the COVID-19 tests.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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

These grants brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to more than $499 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:16

FEMA Awards Almost $4.1 Million to State of New Hampshire for COVID Testing

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $4.1 million to the State of New Hampshire to reimburse the state for the cost of providing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $4,080,860 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will reimburse it for contracting to provide 22,988 COVID-19 tests between October and December 2021. The state contracted with Clear ChoiceMD MSO, LLC to set up testing sites at four Clear ChoiceMD Urgent Care locations in Nashua, Claremont, Manchester, and Newington. These were walk-in sites serving the general public.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of New Hampshire with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $137 million in Public Assistance grants to New Hampshire to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:14

FEMA Awards Nearly $1.6 Million to City of Portland for COVID Sheltering Expenses

BOSTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.6 million to the City of Portland to reimburse the cost of using hotel rooms to isolate vulnerable homeless shelter populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,588,241 Public Assistance grant will go to the city to cover the cost of providing hotel rooms as non-congregate shelter to populations who needed to be isolated from general shelter populations between October 2020 and May 2021.

Approximately 1,022 individuals and 163 families were housed in hotels including brands such as Howard Johnson, Comfort Inn, and Motel 6 as part of the effort to protect persons in congregate shelter facilities from infection.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the City of Portland with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $142 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:11

FEMA Awards Nearly $2.1 Million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for COVID-19 Testing

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $2.1 million to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute to reimburse the university for the cost of contracting to test students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,072,983 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private science and engineering university in Worcester for the cost of diagnostic testing between August and December 2021.

Using contracts with the Clinical Research Sequencing Platform, (Broad Institutes, Inc. Harvard & Massachusetts Institute of Technology) WPI tested approximately 176,290 students and employees so that those infected with COVID-19 could be removed quickly from campus and interactive activities, thus preventing outbreaks.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Worcester Polytechnic Institute with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

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

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:09

FEMA Awards More Than $29 Million To State of Connecticut For COVID Testing

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $29 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the state for the cost of providing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $29,085,642 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the Connecticut State Comptroller’s Office will reimburse it for contracting to provide 381,181 COVID-19 tests between April and June 2021. The Comptroller’s Office contracted the following vendors to conduct COVID testing: CIC Health, SEMA4 Genomics, Griffen Hospital, Minute Clinic/CVS, Quest Diagnostics, Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and Physician One Urgent Care Hospital.

The populations tested included high risk community residents, National Guard members, nursing home residents, Department of Corrections inmates, and state employees working at state facilities.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Connecticut with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $452 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:08

FEMA Awards More Than $8.1 Million to Brandeis University for COVID-19 Testing

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $8.1 million to Brandeis University to reimburse the university for the cost of contracting to test students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FEMA Public Assistance grants totaling $8,170,280  will reimburse the private research university in Waltham for the cost of testing 404,152 students and employees at the campus between July 2020 and February 2022.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Brandeis University with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

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

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:01

FEMA Awards Almost $6.8 Million to Yale New Haven Hospital for Covid Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $6.8 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse Yale New Haven Hospital for the additional costs of operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The private, not-for-profit 1,541-bed teaching hospital with multiple campuses is a subsidiary of Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation, and will receive a total of $6,786,208 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse the hospital for the additional cost of operating between January 2020 and November 2021.

The expenses incurred included purchasing additional medical equipment and ventilators for the treatment of COVID-19 patients; hiring additional medical care staff and supporting services; purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection services and supplies; and the cost of converting some hospital facility space into treatment areas.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Yale New Haven Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $452 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

 

adrien.urbani Mon, 07/11/2022 - 20:50

What to Expect After You Register with FEMA

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma homeowners and renters in the seven counties who sustained damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding May 2-8 may call or go online to register for disaster assistance from FEMA.

The seven counties include Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa.

Residents can apply with FEMA by visiting disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Helpline hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

If you report your home is not livable, sanitary and safe when you register, FEMA may perform an inspection of the damaged property, including the interior of your home. FEMA inspectors will contact you to meet at the address where the damage was reported. The inspector’s phone number may be from out of state, or show up on your caller ID as unavailable, so be sure to answer the phone. If the call goes to voicemail, the inspector will leave a call-back number, or you may receive a text message if no other contact is able to be made.

You will need to show the inspector your photo ID. You will not be asked to provide your social security number or bank account information. There is no cost for a FEMA inspection.

After your home inspection is completed, a record of the disaster-caused damage is given to FEMA. You may also receive a follow-up call for a quality control inspection. From that record your eligibility for disaster assistance will be determined. If you qualify for a grant, the funds will be issued 7 to 10 days after your application. A letter will also be sent explaining the assistance you qualified for.

Reasonable accommodations, including translation and ASL interpreters are available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency or with access and functional needs. You may invite a designated party, such as a household member, relative or friend, to assist in communicating with the inspector.

All FEMA inspectors can be identified by their official federal photo ID badge. If you are in any doubt when receiving a call or an inspection visit from someone stating they are FEMA personnel, do not give out any information, but call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CDT to verify the call or visit is legitimate.

If you suspect someone is committing fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or your local police department.

Carmen.Castro Mon, 07/11/2022 - 20:49

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Minnesota

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding May 8-13, 2022.

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 protective measures, including direct federal assistance under Public Assistance, in Aitkin, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Morrison, Nobles, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties.

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

Brian F. Schiller 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.

amy.ashbridge Fri, 07/08/2022 - 21:41

FEMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Peak 2022 Hurricane Season, Shares Critical Preparedness Tools

The agency also announced key resources to help people before, during and after disaster, including a new FEMA webpage for the public to protect themselves and their property from the nation’s No. 1 disaster -- flooding

WASHINGTON -- Heading into what is projected to be an above-average hurricane season, FEMA urges residents to prepare before the height of hurricane season. 

“My message to the public is this: identify your risks, have a plan and act today. The best way to help yourself, your family and your community recover after a disaster is by taking steps now, before it’s too late,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Remember, just because your area was not touched by a hurricane in the past few years, does not mean it will be spared this time around. I encourage everyone to download our new and improved FEMA mobile app and start making a plan today. But most importantly, pay attention to your local officials and emergency managers for guidance on when and if to evacuate.”

FEMA recently announced an update to its mobile app -- in English and Spanish -- to help users take charge of disasters. The app is available for download on iOS or Android. Watch our FEMA App video and visit the FEMA App webpage for additional information.

Disasters can be expensive, but preparedness doesn’t need to be. Everyone can take several steps now with little to no cost that will help prepare for tropical systems. FEMA also has several resources available to help anyone who wants to design or update their preparedness plans:

• Anyone can visit Ready.gov, or the Spanish version Listo.gov, today for helpful tips and resources in their preparedness actions.
• The Ready.gov/hurricane page also gives specific guidance to prepare for tropical systems.
• FEMA’s Ready Campaign recently published a low and no-cost preparedness webpage with tips to help preparedness for a variety of disasters and emergencies, including:
  • Building your emergency supply kit over time, starting with items you may already have in your home -- like a flashlight, extra batteries, copies of important documents, water and non-perishable food.
  • Talking with family or members of your household about where you will go if told to evacuate.
  • Storing important documents and items like passports, birth certificates, maps and electronics in a flood-safe place, like a high shelf or upper floor in resealable water-tight plastic bags to help waterproof them.

Additionally, furthering FEMA’s commitment to providing accessible disaster information, the agency updated its Text-to-Shelter feature this year. When there’s an evacuation order issued, users can text “shelter” and their ZIP code to 43362 for a list of nearby shelter locations.

If you have insurance, now is the time to review your policies. Not all policies are the same, so review them to understand what coverage you have. Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance.

A new FEMA webpage is now available as a one-stop shop to the public about how to protect themselves and their property from the nation’s No. 1 disaster -- flooding. The webpage includes free resources and information to learn about, understand and take action to reduce flood risk.

The FEMA Map Service Center allows visitors to enter a street address to learn more about flood risks their community. Other information includes resources about flood maps, flood zones, flood risk and flood insurance.

There are other multiple resources describing actions the public can take now to protect their property from hazards.

Earlier this year, the agency’s “Before, During and After” podcast sat down with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham at the National Hurricane Conference. You can listen to the podcast or download a transcript to learn how the agencies collaborate to share vital weather and preparedness information during a storm.

mayshaunt.gary Thu, 07/07/2022 - 16:33

FEMA Approves Another $5.4 Million for South Dakota COVID-19 Response

DENVER – FEMA has approved $5.4 million in additional Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in South Dakota. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued April 4, 2020. FEMA has provided more than $6.6 million for the South Dakota COVID-19 response to date with this additional funding.

FEMA awarded the grant funds to Sanford Medical Clinic as reimbursement for the cost of emergency protective measures necessary to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the health and safety of health care workers and the public in South Dakota. Eligible costs include the purchase of personal protective equipment including face shields, gowns, hand sanitizer, and masks as well as pulse oximeters and the rental of specialized medical equipment to support patients directly affected by COVID-19 at a primary facility.

This award covers the cost of materials used by Sanford in the COVID-19 fight from January 20, 2020, to April 1, 2021.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow state and local governments to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, tribal and local officials work to assist their communities during this response.  

To fully support this essential work, the President authorized provision of FEMA Public Assistance at 100 percent federal funding through July 1, 2022. Beginning July 2, 2022, the federal cost share for COVID-19 projects will be 90 percent of the eligible cost.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

# # #

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

Follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion8

 

jamie.casterton Tue, 07/05/2022 - 20:03

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $2.6 billion to over 410,000 individuals and families to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. This assistance helped pay for the funerals of more than 419,000 people who died from COVID-19.

Eligibility determinations are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation. The determinations are not driven by state/locations.

“Applications” in the chart below reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.

Please find state-specific information below:

State / Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

Alabama

11,683

$63,376,535.73

9,323

Alaska

475

$1,651,278.49

336

American Samoa

29

$53,075.52

Less than 10

Arizona

9,232

$35,119,364.31

7,089

Arkansas

5,473

$27,407,218.18

4,390

California

43,473

$215,194,384.39

33,620

Colorado

5,012

$21,026,284.60

3,882

Connecticut

5,020

$27,885,967.38

4,076

Delaware

1,597

$8,008,158.20

1,262

District of Columbia

775

$3,852,103.40

579

Florida

34,180

$152,785,237.61

27,273

Georgia

20,842

$113,450,092.23

16,583

Guam

32

$138,673.19

19

Hawaii

735

$3,114,477.74

542

Idaho

1,882

$8,211,379.50

1,500

Illinois

20,321

$113,391,511.63

16,506

Indiana

10,708

$59,430,269.98

8,574

Iowa

4,383

$25,513,106.37

3,576

Kansas

4,701

$24,873,101.25

3,828

Kentucky

9,594

$55,228,392.11

7,678

Louisiana

8,718

$46,664,254.26

6,769

Maine

1,135

$4,710,274.91

879

Maryland

8,896

$47,600,109.52

7,085

Massachusetts

9,592

$52,252,106.48

7,667

Michigan

18,398

$92,010,323.70

14,971

Minnesota

5,607

$31,137,462.60

4,577

Mississippi

7,787

$40,972,555.20

6,053

Missouri

10,538

$53,166,177.15

8,526

Montana

1,324

$5,364,510.73

1,063

Nebraska

2,331

$13,148,484.57

1,903

Nevada

4,565

$18,453,997.47

3,479

New Hampshire

1,373

$6,564,338.27

1,098

New Jersey

16,765

$93,250,948.57

13,525

New Mexico

3,338

$13,321,281.16

2,519

New York

36,550

$198,118,340.07

28,914

North Carolina

17,319

$90,745,335.56

13,923

North Dakota

1,192

$7,205,444.50

966

Northern Mariana Islands

33

$82,231.99

14

Ohio

22,403

$119,231,049.28

18,390

Oklahoma

8,192

$41,231,555.20

6,586

Oregon

2,537

$8,595,403.53

1,923

Pennsylvania

24,467

$132,719,787.51

20,092

Puerto Rico

2,377

$6,805,795.38

1,742

Rhode Island

1,690

$9,395,061.14

1,372

South Carolina

11,575

$63,035,619.04

9,362

South Dakota

1,159

$6,700,246.89

937

Tennessee

14,711

$79,913,128.93

11,882

Texas

46,886

$243,144,860.29

37,454

U.S. Virgin Islands

79

$373,499.51

60

Utah

2,421

$13,112,355.23

1,924

Vermont

299

$1,287,456.39

232

Virginia

12,037

$64,021,322.20

9,692

Washington

4,541

$17,848,657.15

3,359

West Virginia

4,024

$21,711,923.91

3,190

Wisconsin

8,596

$46,532,859.04

7,021

Wyoming

809

$3,567,334.65

653

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.

Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.

 

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 07/05/2022 - 19:51

FEMA Awards State Of Rhode Island More Than $3 Million For Temporary COVID Hospitals

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state for the costs of setting up temporary hospital facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,076,350 Public Assistance grant will go to the Rhode Island Department of Administration for contracting to set up and operate three alternative hospital sites totaling nearly 1,400 hospital beds to provide medical treatment to COVID-19 patients between July and October 2021.

The three sites – the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, the former Citizens Bank Call Center in Cranston, and the former Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Quonset – cared for approximately 4,300 patients.

The state contracted for security, cleaning, waste removal, utilities; transportation of equipment and furniture, and decommissioning costs.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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

These grants brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $475 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Sat, 07/02/2022 - 00:22

FEMA Awards State Of Rhode Island Nearly $7.7 Million For COVID Testing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $7.7 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state health department for the costs of providing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $7,666,294 Public Assistance grant will go to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for contracting with laboratory partners ACCU Reference Medical Lab, Dominion Diagnostics and East Side Clinical Laboratory to complete a total of 81,632 COVID-19 tests during July 2021.

RIDOH also provided medical supplies which were used at the Rhode Island State Health Laboratory, mobile test sites, and the community-based testing sites. Supplies included laboratory supplies, testing supplies, testing kits, and specimen collection materials.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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

These grants brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $475 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Sat, 07/02/2022 - 00:21

FEMA Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to Central Maine Medical Center for COVID Staffing Expenses

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.3 million to the Central Maine Medical Center to reimburse the cost of contracting for temporary staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,267,123 Public Assistance grant will go to the 250-bed, level 2 trauma center in Lewiston to cover the cost of 57 additional temporary medical staff working 6,929 hours between Februay 2021 and February 2022.

Central Maine Medical Center was able to set up universal screening measures for staff and visitors to check for COVID-19 symptoms, as well as care for those patients who had COVID-19.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Maine with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $137 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

 

adrien.urbani Sat, 07/02/2022 - 00:20

FEMA Awards More Than $3.7 Million to State of Maine for COVID Sheltering Expenses

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3.7 million to the State of Maine to reimburse the cost of using hotel rooms to isolate vulnerable homeless shelter populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,705,896 Public Assistance grant will go to the Maine Department for Health and Human Services to cover the cost of providing hotel rooms as non-congregate shelter to populations who needed to be isolated from general shelter populations between October 2020 and May 2021.

Approximately 1,022 individuals and 163 families were housed in hotels including brands such as Howard Johnson, Comfort Inn, and Motel 6 as part of the effort to protect persons in congregate shelter facilities from infection.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Maine with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided almost $138 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

 

adrien.urbani Sat, 07/02/2022 - 00:16