FEMA: More Assistance On The Way
Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $806 million in Public Assistance grants to reimburse state, tribal and local governments and eligible private nonprofits for costs relating to emergency response, debris removal and repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities.
The most significant of recent grants is a $54.9 million reimbursement to the city Department of Environmental Protection for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) pilot program. This program initiates certain emergency protective measures by immediately restoring electric service, basic heat, hot water and making emergency exterior repairs to allow individuals to remain in their homes. More than 554 total public assistant grants have been approved so far.
Here are some of the recent reim- bursements:
– $54.9 million to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for the STEP program to reduce the demand for the establishment of other shelter options by providing individuals the opportunity to return to or remain in their homes.
– More than $784,000 to the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority for emergency cleanup and removal of damaged materials at Pier A and community center, along with providing security personnel at ball field during cleanup.
– $570,000 to the Long Beach Medical Center for temporary emergency electrical repairs to the emergency room, approximately 50 patient rooms and supporting services (i.e., radiology and labs) in order to make the critical facility operational.
– More than $712,000 to the New York City Department of Sanitation for repair and/or replacement of multiple fleet vehicles, including replacement of ancillary vehicle equipment (i.e., two-way radios).
– Nearly $272,000 to the City of Long Beach for repairs to a wastewater treatment plant and three associated pumping stations.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of eligible costs of emergency and permanent work. The remaining 25 percent is provided by non-federal funds. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.
To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit www.fema.gov/public-assistancelocal state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery. For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/sandyny, twitter.com/FEMASandy, facebook.com/FEMASandy and fema.gov/blog.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
