Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

Agency officials walk past flooded mobile homes along Douglas County Sweetwater Creek, Georgia Emergency management agencies's focus turns to long-term recovery Two weeks after a federal major disaster declaration for parts of Georgia swamped by heavy rains and flooding, the emergency response is winding down and the focus of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has turned to long-term recovery. "The response of...

Students training at FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) Speech applauded the significant contribution made by the Center The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator, National Preparedness Directorate, Tim Manning, spoke at FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) graduation ceremony today in Anniston, Alabama where he recognized CDP's 500,000th graduate. "The training provided by the Center for...

Workers clearing debris in American Samoa - FEMA continues to respond and give federal support to the region Donations welcomed by partner agencies such as Red Cross The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is into its sixth day of response and federal support to American Samoa. FEMA and federal teams, through the Federal Coordinating Officer, continue to work closely with American Samoan Governor Togiola Tulafono and Delegate Eni F....

Firefighters who give emergency medical care should receive the H1N1 vaccination, say FEMA, USFA First responder agencies should receive treatment in first wave of vaccine With the first deliveries of the H1N1 vaccine already underway, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its mission to support first responders, joins the United States Fire Administration (USFA) in recommending that firefighters who provide emergency medical services (EMS...

An image from one of the public service advertisements unveiled during National Preparedness Month FEMA continues to encourage every American to be ready for emergencies As September comes to an end, so does the 6th annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), but FEMA continues efforts to ensure every American is prepared. NPM, sponsored by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, in conjunction with FEMA, is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to pre...

DHS Secretary Napolitano delivered a speech focusing on the need for shared responsibility Individual and community preparedness will help build readiness Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today marked the conclusion of National Preparedness Month by delivering a speech emphasizing America's shared responsibility for preparedness and stressing the important role that individuals play in building a national culture of readiness and resilience....

The OASIS Emergency Interoperability Summit  and NIEM Training Event will be held in conjunction Events will give attendees insight into interoperable solutions The DM Program will have a significant role at the OASIS Emergency Interoperability Summit, being held in conjunction with this year's National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) National Training Event in Baltimore, Maryland, September 29 - October 2, 2009. The purpose of the summit is to provide attendees wit...

A fire and rescue search team operating in severe flooding NVFC support fund designed to help first responders affected by severe weather incidents FEMA has announced that 17 counties in Georgia have received federal disaster designations due to the devastating floods and severe weather. When tragedies like this strike, we must remember that the firefighters and EMS personnel relied upon to respond are also victims. The National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Volunteer Fir...

FEMA community education specialists will take part in Lowe's Safety Saturday Event part of National Preparedness Month Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) community education specialists will be participating in Lowe's Safety Saturday. This information-sharing, public safety, preparedness event will be held Saturday, September 26, 10am - 2pm, in Augusta, ME. "Disasters can strike at anytime with or without warning," said FEMA Deputy Federal Preparedness Coordinator...

The application period for FY2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants begins on September 21, 2009 Primary goal of grants is to target high-risk populations The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted the FY2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program website. The application period is scheduled to begin on September 21, 2009 at 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications f...

The US Girl Scouts and DHS Citizen Corps have announced a new alliance, promoting community preparedness New initiative will bolster community preparedness Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Kathy Cloninger today unveiled a Girl Scout preparedness patch - designed to engage Girl Scouts and their families in personal preparedness for all emergencies-and announced a new affiliation between DHS Citizen Corps and the...

FEMA is urging students to remember to prepare for possible emergencies Readiness urged on students across the US As millions of students return to campus or arrive for the first time, FEMA reminds everyone of the need to be prepared for emergencies before they strike. By visiting ready.gov, students can learn a learn few simple steps they can take now to get ready. "Emergencies can happen any time, any where, even on campus," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "By gett...

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano introduces the ads in New York Ads designed to highlight National Preparedness Month across US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch a new series of Ready Campaign public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies, kicking off September's...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive order to waive fees and help victims of wildfires Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visits Oak Glen Fire III in San Bernardino County for Briefing.Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the Oak Glen Fire III in San Bernardino County to receive a briefing on the status of firefighting efforts statewide. The Governor also proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to fires that have burned hundreds of acres, forced an entire...

FEMA has approved the use of federal funds to help California fight fires Increased funding will improve state's firefighting resources The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the PV Fire in Rancho Palos Verdes. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managin...

National Preparedness Month 2009 aims to spread awareness of the need for shared preparedness National campaign designed to highlight need for shared preparedness Led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, National Preparedness Month is held each September and is designed to raise awareness and promote action surrounding emergency preparedness among citizens, businesses and communities. Gary Jones, Acting Regional Adminis...

The new U.S. Fire Administrator, Kelvin Cochran is officially sworn in by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano Experienced former Atlanta Fire Chief now officially in office U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran was sworn into office today by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2009 Fire Rescue International conference in Dallas, Texas. Cochran will oversee and...

Recipients of AFG awards this week include Texas, Arkansas fire depts Grants this week made available in Texas and Arkansas Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $580,595 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program to local fire departments and organizations in the state of Texas; and $69,853 to local fire departments and organizations in the state of Arkansas. Nationally, the fiscal year 2008 AFG...

Secretary Napolitano addressed first responders and emergency managers at Fire Rescue International DHS Secretary highlighted need for emergency preparedness Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered remarks today to 2,500 first responders and emergency managers at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2009 Fire Rescue International conference in Dallas, Texas, stressing preparedness as a shared responsibility between all level...

FEMA presented the first National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards during NCCP 2009 First national Citizen Corps Achievement Awards presented  On August 11th at the 2009 National Conference on Community Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the winners of the first National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards. Administered by FEMA and implemented locally, Citizen Corps is the grassroots movement to actively engage civic leaders and the pub...

FEMA has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Lockheed wildfire in California Grant will reimburse Lockheed, CA  firefighting costs The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an ap...

Kelvin Cochran's confirmation as USFA Administrator has been applauded by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate releases statement Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration. "As the Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as the former chief in Shreveport, LA, Chief Cochran brings extensive...

FEMA is urging residents of homes affected by recent US wildfires to take extra precautions FEMA issues advice and safety tips to guard against unseen dangers The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges residents and business owners to take extra precautions when returning after wildfire-caused evacuations. Dennis Hunsinger, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington warns that unseen dangers may linger long after the flames die dow...

FEMA has authorized the use of federal funds to aid firefighting in Union Valley Approximately 250 homes are under threat from the fire The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help Washington State fight the Union Valley fire burning in Chelan County. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger said the state's request for federal fire management assistance was approved aft...

Public Affairs Specialist Neily Chapman shows children a disaster kit during a FEMA classroom presentation Program educates children on preparing for and preventing disasters Nearly 2,000 children in Mississippi's lower six counties know a little more about preparedness thanks to the FEMA in the Classroom program. The Mississippi program developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency educates and involves children in disaster preparedness as a way to also engage pare...

FEMA community relations officers talk to OK citizens affected by wildfire Post-wildfire disaster assistance increases again Disaster assistance provided to those affected by Oklahoma wildfires now exceeds $2.9 million, state and federal emergency management officials announced today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration officials also urge residents to apply for assistance befo...

The 3rd Annual HAZUS Conference: "Connecting the Pieces for Mitigation" is open for registration Register today for the 3rd Annual HAZUS Conference: Connecting the Pieces for Mitigation! Space is limited... To provide our attendees with the best educational experience, this conference is limited to 200 attendees. Register now to reserve your spot and take advantage of the unparalleled learning and networking opportunities offered throughout this three-day event. Key co...

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, has met with US governors to discuss emergency preparedness Preparation for and first response to emergencies and disasters highlighted This week, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met with several of our nation's governors to discuss emergency preparedness and ensure that as many resources and plans as possible are in place prior to any potential emergency. "FEMA is...

Oklahoma residents have one month left to apply for wildfire disaster aid from FEMA and the U.S. SBA Deadline for Oklahoma wildfire victims to register for help from FEMA and the SBA Oklahoma residents have one month to register for wildfire disaster help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline for residents to apply for disaster assistance for damages or losses caused by April wildfires is Tuesday,...

OK Wildfire Disaster Recovery Centers are now transitioning to US SBA DisasterLoan Outreach Centers New home for wildfire disaster assistance and information The Disaster Recovery Centers in Midwest City and Ratliff City will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers beginning on Monday, July 20, State and Federal disaster officials announced today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Managem...