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Building Safety Month: Take Action to Protect Your Home
CHICAGO – May is Building Safety Month, and this year’s campaign, “Safety for All: Building Codes in Action,” raises awareness about the importance of building codes to ensure safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn.
“Resilient communities require a commitment to strong building standards,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “We can all do our part. Start by verifying your local government has adopted up-to-date building safety codes and get proper permits before beginning any home repair or improvement projects.”
Disasters in the Midwest range from floods to severe storms, tornadoes and even earthquakes. Taking steps to reinforce your home can be essential to reducing the risks of damage those disasters could cause:
- Elevate and anchor utilities. Elevate and anchor your critical utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems to reduce the risk of flood waters damaging them.
- Waterproof your basement. Install a water alarm and maintain a working sump pump to protect your basement. Install a battery-operated backup pump in case of power failure. Consider also installing a back-flow valve, to push the flow of water & sewer backup away from your property.
- Secure outdoor items. Secure lawn furniture and any other loose outdoor items that may become windborne and cause injury or damage during high-wind events.
- Protect windows during high-wind events. Storm shutters prevent windows from breaking when there is windborne debris. You can also add shatter-resistant film or stormproof high-impact glass to reduce the risks of glass breaking.
- Fortify your roof. Re-adhere any loose shingles and consider impact-resistant shingles when installing a roof. Install roof strappings to anchor the roof framing to the wall framings so the wind can’t lift your roof off your house.
- Take advantage of insurance incentives. Many insurance policies offer financial incentives for risk reduction measures. For example, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) pays up to $1,000 each for loss avoidance measures and property moved to safety. Call your insurance agent for more information about benefits that may be available to you.
For more information about Building Safety Month or ways to increase awareness about building safety visit 2022 Building Safety Month - ICC (iccsafe.org). Learn even more about how to prepare before a disaster strikes, by visiting www.Ready.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 05/03/2022 - 14:23FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown
WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided over $2.3 billion to more than 351,000 people 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 369,000 people who died from COVID-19.
FEMA’s COVID-19 funeral assistance reached its one-year anniversary recently and has some notable achievements. The funeral assistance webpage, COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov, has had over 8.2 million views and has been translated into 13 languages. Informational graphics were translated into 29 languages. Thousands of letters, personal calls and auto-caller communications have been made to assist applicants. The average award is approximately $6,500, and the eligibility rate is nearly 97%.
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
11,340
$54,507,202.97
7,991
Alaska
444
$1,352,830.38
268
American Samoa
17
$33,801.77
Less than 10
Arizona
8,878
$29,563,514.85
5,967
Arkansas
5,299
$22,891,367.97
3,623
California
41,882
$188,215,608.58
29,321
Colorado
4,783
$17,523,024.89
3,201
Connecticut
4,815
$24,337,419.97
3,554
Delaware
1,528
$6,625,685.43
1,050
District Of Columbia
756
$3,372,868.41
501
Florida
33,147
$136,211,653.29
24,183
Georgia
20,182
$98,345,548.56
14,287
Guam
31
$135,055.19
19
Hawaii
687
$2,341,509.50
407
Idaho
1,792
$6,587,621.47
1,172
Illinois
19,624
$96,136,153.91
14,015
Indiana
10,321
$49,097,175.58
7,055
Iowa
4,236
$21,177,533.50
2,962
Kansas
4,504
$20,547,283.39
3,171
Kentucky
9,123
$45,628,516.57
6,317
Louisiana
8,462
$40,083,277.89
5,817
Maine
1,059
$3,370,311.93
626
Maryland
8,573
$41,135,067.29
6,123
Massachusetts
9,157
$43,144,865.47
6,269
Michigan
17,642
$76,766,420.10
12,468
Minnesota
5,347
$25,379,238.82
3,713
Mississippi
7,496
$33,553,702.17
4,965
Missouri
10,164
$45,629,008.34
7,284
Montana
1,260
$4,487,641.63
891
Nebraska
2,247
$10,535,851.17
1,528
Nevada
4,374
$15,293,360.32
2,826
New Hampshire
1,302
$5,304,945.80
882
New Jersey
16,156
$82,010,382.00
11,898
New Mexico
3,166
$10,443,924.71
1,975
New York
35,201
$179,287,766.47
26,156
North Carolina
16,680
$79,249,600.94
12,117
North Dakota
1,138
$6,136,738.88
826
Northern Mariana Islands
31
$59,378.99
10
Ohio
21,560
$101,251,456.74
15,619
Oklahoma
7,848
$34,870,244.51
5,521
Oregon
2,405
$6,764,504.24
1,465
Pennsylvania
23,362
$113,187,003.99
17,153
Puerto Rico
2,199
$5,218,317.01
1,371
Rhode Island
1,637
$8,037,094.60
1,176
South Carolina
11,186
$53,721,711.89
7,927
South Dakota
1,115
$5,667,989.74
788
Tennessee
14,129
$67,666,788.01
9,976
Texas
45,287
$217,042,015.21
33,387
U.S. Virgin Islands
77
$319,671.06
51
Utah
2,329
$10,734,214.70
1,564
Vermont
274
$1,113,255.96
199
Virginia
11,529
$53,216,320.79
8,033
Washington
4,304
$14,505,646.10
2,685
West Virginia
3,796
$17,411,878.35
2,549
Wisconsin
8,292
$38,113,075.40
5,754
Wyoming
776
$2,923,341.45
532
* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT Monday, May 2, 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 Mon, 05/02/2022 - 21:06FEMA Holds Comprehensive Exercise on Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami Response Plan
BOTHELL, Wash. - From May 3-5, FEMA Region 10 will host Cascadia Rising 2022: Rehearsal of Concept (ROC), a three-day discussion-based exercise at the Pierce County Readiness Center in Camp Murray, Washington, to evaluate FEMA’s coordinated response plan to a massive Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and resulting tsunami. Participants will include emergency management representatives from the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, tribal partners, FEMA, U.S. Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and Emergency Management British Columbia.
Over the three-day exercise, federal, state, and tribal partners will walk through the FEMA Region 10 CSZ Earthquake and Tsunami Response Plan using a large 35’x26’ map to display impacted areas and demonstrate resource allocation, staging, and movement in response to a CSZ event. These discussions will include questions around operational activities, logistics, resource management, and communications for response operations.
“We know it’s only a matter of time before the big one strikes. This exercise helps us coordinate directly with our local and regional partners to build a culture of preparedness across the region. The physical devastation will be significant, and the humanitarian impacts will be felt far beyond the earthquake zone,” stated FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn. “Now is the time to come together, question, and challenge our plan so that when one of the biggest natural disasters to strike our nation takes place, we are ready to act.”
This exercise builds on the Cascadia Rising 2016 Exercise and forms part of FEMA’s National Level Exercise 2022 which examines the ability of all levels of government, private industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to respond to and recover from a large rupture of the CSZ through a series of webinars, seminars, workshops, and exercises being held throughout the year.
Over 1,800 federal, tribal, state, local, private sector, NGOs, and scientific community partners were involved in the CSZ planning effort. The lessons learned from this ROC Exercise will be incorporated into both an updated CSZ Response Plan and into FEMA’s response operational procedures.
To learn more about the Cascadia Subduction Zone visit the USGS.
A portion of the map that will be used to show areas affected by a CSZ earthquake with markers indicating resource movement.
mary.j.edmon Mon, 05/02/2022 - 18:56Preble County Residents Invited to Attend Virtual Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a Virtual Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Preble County, Ohio, on May 10, 2022, from 5 – 7 p.m. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1-percent-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within areas of the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.
Experts at the virtual open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process in Preble County. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be reviewed at the meeting.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Preble County virtual Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: May 10, 2022, 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/93202813542?pwd=MzVJZTRSSFE2OEVwRTNGQXAyVEw1UT09 Meeting ID: 932 0281 3542, Passcode: preble
(301) 715 8592 (312) 626 6799 (646) 876 9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Mon, 05/02/2022 - 16:12FEMA Distributes More Than $677,000 in Disaster Assistance for Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslide Survivors
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has distributed more than $677,000 in disaster assistance to help survivors affected by the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred Feb. 4 - 6, 2022.
Nearly $329,000 has been distributed to individuals for housing assistance to cover expenses related to home repair and rehabilitation. In addition, more than $348,000 has been distributed for other needs assistance. Housing Assistance (HA) and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) are part of FEMA’s Individual Household Program.
ONA is available for necessary expenses and serious needs directly caused by the disaster, including: child-care expenses, medical and dental expenses, damages to essential household items (room furnishings, appliances); clothing; tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, schoolbooks, supplies), clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier), damage to an essential vehicle, moving and storage of essential household goods to prevent further damage, and returning property to the applicant’s primary residence.
Survivors from the affected municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. To get additional information, find the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc.
You may also apply with FEMA through your smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 05/02/2022 - 15:15
Disaster Recovery Centers Are Changing Operating Hours
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are changing operating hours beginning Sunday May 1, 2022. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) currently has five DRCs open to help survivors affected by the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred Feb. 4 - 6, 2022.
DRCs at Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week.
Pabellón Comercial Rafael Hernández Colón
Calle Méndez Vigo #349
(in front of Residencial El Dorado), Dorado
Centro Comunal Los Naranjos
Barrio Cabo Caribe
Comunidad Los Naranjos
Parcela 119-A, Vega Baja
Centro de Usos Múltiples - Luis Muñoz Marín
PR-647 Km 12.5,
Barrio Bajuras, Sector Machuchal, Vega Alta
Junta de Inscripción Permanente de Candelaria
RR-865
Barrio Candelaria, Toa Baja
Centro de Usos Múltiples
Carr. PR-5, Km 2.6
Sector Juana Matos, Cataño
Survivors from the affected municipalities can continue to visit DRCs during these hours and talk to FEMA specialist to apply for assistance, follow up or update their applications. Residents may also apply with FEMA through their smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
To get additional information, find the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc. For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Fri, 04/29/2022 - 20:11Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Fairfax County, VA
PHILADELPHIA - FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Fairfax County, Virginia. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period.
The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments.
The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around April 22, 2022. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.
- An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.
- Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
- If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.
The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
Submit appeals and comments by contacting Mr. Dipmani Kumar at Dipmani.Kumar@fairfaxcounty.gov. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: https://arcg.is/09vTC4.
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. 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 and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Fairfax County, VA Flood Mapping Milestones
- April 6, 2020 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
- April 30, 2021 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
- August 5, 2021 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
- April 22, 2022 –Appeal Period starts.
- May 2023 — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
charles.elison Fri, 04/29/2022 - 17:17FEMA Awards Nearly $2.2 Million To Maine Medical Center For Covid Testing Expenses
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.2 million to the State of Maine to reimburse Maine Medical Center in Portland for the cost of testing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2,171,014 Public Assistance grant will go to cover the cost of screening and providing COVID-19 tests for staff between May 2020 and October 2021. The 637-licensed-bed teaching hospital and flagship facility for MaineHealth contracted to set up a web-based program with a COVID-19 screening questionnaire which required employees to complete and pass to be permitted to enter any facility for the day.
Employees who failed the screening questionnaire were then directed to get a COVID-19 test. The grant also covers the cost of testing 22,267 employees who failed screening protocols at Maine Medical Center’s hospitals, primary care clinics, and ancillary service offices.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Maine Medical Center 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 $116 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Maine, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4522.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:45FEMA Awards More Than $3.3 Million To Connecticut For Covid Testing Expenses
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3.3 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the state for the costs of providing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,312,499 FEMA’s Public Assistance grant to the Connecticut Office of State Comptroller will reimburse it for testing a variety of vulnerable populations for COVID-19, including students at the Connecticut state universities, between April and June 2021.
The office contracted with SEMA4 Genomics and Griffin Hospital to provide 34,279 tests, and outbreak testing was conducted as needed.
“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 almost $396 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Connecticut, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4500.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:43FEMA Awards Almost $61.4 Million To Connecticut For Covid Personal Protective Equipment
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $61.4 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the state for purchasing, storing and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $61,376,306 FEMA’s Public Assistance grant to the Connecticut Department of Corrections will reimburse it for operating a system of warehouses and distribution centers around the state between March and September 2020 and purchasing large quantities of PPE.
The department contracted to lease two warehouse facilities and set up eight points of distribution in five regions across the state, and to purchase more than 96 million various PPE items including goggles, masks, face shields, respirators, gowns, gloves, and shoe coverings.
It also contracted for warehouse support in the form of staffing, warehouse equipment, material management, and tracking services to distribute PPE to other state entities, agencies, towns, and to those most vulnerable but unable to get the items themselves.
“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 almost $396 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Connecticut, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4500.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:40FEMA Awards More Than $7.3 Million To Yale New Haven Hospital For Covid Meals Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $7.3 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the Yale New Haven Hospital for the additional costs of preparing and distributing meals to patients and staff 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 recive a total of $7,344,662 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse the hospital for the additional cost of providing meals between January 2020 and December 2021.
Morrison Food Service, with whom the hospital had a pre-existing contract to stock, prepare, and distribute food at their facilities, pivoted their service to COVID patient meal preparation and distribution, cleaning of high-touch services in the meal preparation areas, and purchasing of disposable materials (e.g. paper-plates/Styrofoam containers/plastic silverware) for COVID patient meal delivery.
“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 almost $396 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Connecticut, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4500.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:38
FEMA Awards Nearly $2.2 Million To Boston Public Health Commission For Covid-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.2 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Boston Public Health Commission for the cost of testing residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2,181,415 Public Assistance grant will go to the Boston Public Health Commission for contracting with five health centers to provide community-based coronavirus testing between September and December 2020.
As of August 20, 2020 the city had reported over 15,000 confirmed cases and 746 deaths due to COVID-19, and the commission had to continue its regular operations in addition to conducting 53,373 tests in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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 $947 million in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4496
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:29
FEMA Awards More Than $3.4 Million To Stonehill College For Covid-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3.4 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Stonehill College for the cost of testing students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,410,558 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private Catholic college in Easton for the cost of providing 129,008 coronavirus tests between July 2020 and June 2021. The college also purchased handheld sprayers, disinfectant, temporary physical barriers, forehead thermometers, and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable masks and face shields.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Stonehill College 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 $947 million in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4496
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:26FEMA Awards Nearly $2.2 Million To Massachusetts To Keep Registry Of Motor Vehicles Open During Pandemic
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.2 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the state for the cost of keeping the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2,194,891 Public Assistance grant will go to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for emergency protective measures taken by the RMV between January and September 2020, including:
- Contracting for disinfecting and cleaning services at various RMV facilities, including driver testing vehicles;
- Purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks, face shields, and gloves;
- Purchasing safety equipment such as temperature scanners to monitor staff and customers, sneeze guard barriers, canopies for drive through protection, communication devices for drive up windows, and drop boxes for public document delivery; and
- Purchasing disinfecting supplies for facility cleaning, hand sanitizer, and dispensers.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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 $947 million in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4496
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:22
FEMA Awards Vermont Nearly $1.5 Million For Covid Emergency Meals Program
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.5 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the costs of providing emergency meals for residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,473,362 Public Assistance grant will go to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development for providing meal preparation and delivery service to high-risk populations under the the state’s emergency feeding program “Vermont Everyone Eats” between January and February 2022.
During that time the agency entered into an agreement with Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc. (SEVCA), which established and coordinated with state-wide subcontractors (Hubs) that oversaw restaurant engagement, production, and distribution of 117,869 meals to Vermonters experiencing food insecurity.
The program launched in August 2020 with $5 million from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund and has continued with additional funding through FEMA.
“FEMA is pleased to support Vermont’s innovative approach to assisting its most vulnerable populations,” said FEMA Region I Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “By involving the private sector in the preparation and distribution of meals, both those faced with food insecurity and those who work at restaurants are helped.”
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Vermont, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4532.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:20
FEMA Awards Vermont More Than $2 Million For Covid Response Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the costs of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2,025,369 Public Assistance grant will go to the Vermont Agency of Human Services for contracting with security and consultation providers between March 2020 and December 2021.
Those contracts were to provide security services at non-congregate sheltering locations and subject matter expertise and liaisons to the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), Department of Public Safety (DPS), Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) and other critical federal, state and local emergency response partners in the state’s development and implementation of COVID-19 emergency response plans.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Vermont 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.”
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Vermont, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4532.
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:18FEMA Awards Nearly $3.4 Million To The College Of The Holy Cross For Covid-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $3.4 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the College of the Holy Cross for the cost of testing students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,387,116 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private Jesuit college in Worcester for the cost of providing 96,487 coronavirus tests between January and June 2021.
The college worked with its healthcare provider, Evans Medical Foundation, to determine who was eligible to be tested and how often, as well as contracting to provide health monitoring for students and staff and purchasing materials such as face masks.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the College of the Holy Cross 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 $947 million in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4496
adrien.urbani Wed, 04/27/2022 - 14:05ICYMI -- FEMA Administrator Celebrates Earth Day with AmeriCorps and FEMA Corps
WASHINGTON -- On April 22, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith, community group Washington Parks & People Executive Director and President Steve Coleman, AmeriCorps and FEMA Corps team members for an Earth Day service project at Marvin Gaye Community Center in Washington, D.C.
During the event, the team planted trees, removed trash from the park and Watts Branch Stream, a local tributary of the Potomac River.
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) and Washington Parks & People Executive Director and President Steve Coleman remove trash from Watts Branch Stream during an Earth Day service project at Marvin Gaye Park April 22. (FEMA photo by Graham Haynes)
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (far left), AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith, Parks & People Executive Director and President Steve Coleman (far right) and FEMA Corps team members after the Earth Day service project at Marvin Gaye Park April 22. The team removed trash from the park and planted trees during the event. (FEMA photo by Graham Haynes)
The Marvin Gaye Community Center staff and volunteers practice resilience in everyday life, by maintaining a community garden that provides fresh produce for visitors and the community, removing invasive plant species and cleaning up litter from the stream.
To learn more about how FEMA is practicing resilience, including fighting against climate change, visit FEMA.gov.
mayshaunt.gary Mon, 04/25/2022 - 22:00Free Legal Help Available for Puerto Rico Severe Storms Survivors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Survivors of the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred Feb. 4 - 6, 2022 can now receive free legal assistance for certain disaster-related issues to help them through the recovery process. To be eligible for these services survivors must have been directly affected by the disaster and not have sufficient means to hire an attorney.
To learn about the available resources in your area, call the toll-free legal aid hotline Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 800-981-5342. This service is provided by the American Bar Association (ABA), Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico in collaboration with FEMA.
Some examples of legal disaster-related issues include:
• Handling insurance claims (life, medical, and property)
• Dealing with home repair contracts and contractors
• Help with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures
• Counseling on landlord/tenant issues or mortgage foreclosure problems
• Replacement of wills, deeds, titles, and other important legal documents destroyed or lost in the disaster
• Assistance with securing FEMA and other benefits available to disaster survivors
Survivors from the affected municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. To find the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc.
You may also apply with FEMA through your smart phone, home computer, or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 04/25/2022 - 16:07FEMA Comment Period Open for Certain Disaster Recovery Activities in Kansas Resulting from the December 2021 Severe Storms
Kansas City, Mo. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing that an Initial Public Notice (IPN) is now available for review and comment in connection with disaster recovery activities associated with the Dec. 15, 2021 severe storms and straight-line winds in Kansas.
Persons wanting to provide input on FEMA’s proposed activities have until May 6, 2022 to submit comments or questions in writing. A copy of this public notice is posted online.
Specifically, this IPN announces the agency’s intention to reimburse eligible local and state governmental entities, tribal nations and certain non-profits in Kansas for approved costs to repair or replace public facilities damaged by the Dec. 15, 2021 storms.
This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities located in, or may affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and critical actions within the 500-year floodplain.
FEMA is required by law to provide a public notice of its intent to provide federal assistance and grant opportunities via the Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), or Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs. The general public is not required to comment on the agency’s proposed activities, but comments received are taken into consideration as the agency evaluates the recovery activities’ impact to or by floodplains and wetlands, and effects to historic resources.
This may be the only public notice provided regarding these FEMA actions.
Questions and/or comments should be directed to Kate Stojsavljevic, Regional Environmental Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 7, 11224 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 or by emailing Kate.stojsavljevic@fema.dhs.gov.
mayshaunt.gary Thu, 04/21/2022 - 20:47Pages
