FEMA And OES Grant $2 Million For San Diego County's Wildfire Evacuation And Shelter Costs
Half a million evacuees stayed in Qualcomm, 46 other shelters
Release Date: March 28, 2008
Release Number: 1731-106
» More Information on California Wildfires
PASADENA, Calif. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) announced today the reimbursement of $2 million to the County of San Diego to help cover the costs of essential supplies used to house and care for evacuees at Qualcomm Stadium and 46 other shelters during last fall's wildfires in Southern California.
The county's Emergency Operations Center - together with Red Cross personnel, federal and state emergency workers, and volunteers from organizations and neighborhoods throughout the area - activated, staffed and provided supplies for more than 500,000 evacuees during the largest evacuation in California history.
In addition to Qualcomm Stadium, shelters were set up at 19 schools, 16 churches, six community centers, one casino (Rincon) and four other sites for varying lengths of time between Oct. 21 and Dec. 9, 2007.
Supplies put to use at the shelters included cots, blankets, generators, water, medical supplies, sanitation facilities, computers and refrigeration units. The grant will also help pay for buses used to transport hospital patients.
The grant is available under FEMA's Public Assistance program and the California Disaster Assistance Act. These programs reimburse state and local government agencies and certain non-profits for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.
FEMA will pay $1.6 million, California will pay $405,523, and the County of San Diego will bear the remaining $135,174 of emergency sheltering expenses.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 28-Mar-2008 14:53:28