Application Deadline For Hazard Mitigation Grants Extended
Release Date: May 2, 2005
Release Number: 1551-322
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Time is winding down for state agencies, local governments, and tribal and nonprofit organizations to apply for aid for disaster damage prevention in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.
June 14 is the deadline to apply for federal grants to reduce the loss of lives and property in future events, according to officials from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM). The original deadline for applications was April 15.
Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the states, makes funding available to local governments and certain other organizations to undertake projects designed to lessen the risk of damage from disasters.
"These grants enable public and private nonprofit organizations to minimize future property, infrastructure and economic losses from disasters," said Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Carwile, who directs FEMA disaster operations stemming from the four Florida hurricanes.
The HMGP provides 75 percent of the funds for approved projects. The remaining 25 percent must come from non-federal sources.
"In the past, these hazard mitigation grants have helped many Florida communities take steps to protect themselves from harm from future disasters," said Craig Fugate, state coordinating officer with Florida's State Emergency Response Team (SERT). "Thanks to the projects Florida organizations have undertaken, their facilities and people are safer from the impact of hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural events."
In order to expedite the grant process, the state of Florida and FEMA have agreed to review and approve grant applications jointly.
Since Hurricane Andrew, the state has received an estimated $160 million in funding under the HMGP. A total of $350 million has been designated for the grant program for last fall's hurricanes. That figure may rise to as much as $500 million due to the extended deadlines, according to FEMA mitigation experts. FEMA will begin announcing project approvals in May.
Eligible public and private nonprofit organizations may obtain application forms from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) website, www.floridadisaster.org/brm/hmgp.htm, or they may contact DEM directly for further information and forms at (850) 413-9884. Completed applications must be sent to the following address by the deadline:
Attn: Leroy Thompson
FEMA/State of Florida Joint Disaster Field Office
Mitigation Section
100 Sunport Lane
Orlando, Florida 32809
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida's state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT's mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impacts. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 02-May-2005 13:37:12