Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Responds To California Wildfires

(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 23, 2007 ) Oakland — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is committed to working side by side with California officials in providing them with the appropriate federal resources.Safety of the firefighters, individuals and families in the impacted areas is of utmost concern. To date, FEMA has responded to the state’s emergency needs during this challenging time in the following ways:• Within hours after the State requested them, FEMA approved seven requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants. Under those grants, FEMA pays for 75 percent of the state’s eligible fire-fighting costs. Some of those eligible costs include cost for equipment, supplies, and emergency work like evacuations, shelters, and traffic control.• FEMA has put on alert an Emergency Response Team to assist California if requested.• FEMA opened its Regional Response Coordination Center on a 24/7 basis to support state operations. The interagency center is comprised of federal agencies including Department of Transportation, United States Forest Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Health and Human Services, and The Department of Homeland Security’s Infrastructure Protection.• FEMA has sent a liaison to the State Operations Center in Sacramento to work with the state’s response and recovery staff to compile information on the fires and ensure that any requests are expedited and the right resources are sent to the right places. A FEMA liaison is also coordinating response efforts with the California Wild Land Fire Services in Riverside, Ca. As the situation develops, the State will assess its needs and FEMA stands ready to respond with its resources.FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. RIX-NR-07-46Contact: FEMA Public Affairs (510) 627-7079

Joseph Nchor

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