FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Rein Street Fire
Release Date: June 4, 2008
Release Number: R6-08-076
» More Information on Rein Street Fire
DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Rein Street Fire in Killeen following a request from the State of Texas Tuesday evening.
"The Rein Street Fire, in the Wagonwheel subdivision of Killeen, threatened 200 homes and caused 560 people to seek shelter in the Lion Park Recreation Center when the state requested federal aid," said William Peterson, FEMA regional administrator. "Two fire trucks were destroyed and another was damaged. Wildfires like one this demonstrate how critical it is for firefighters to receive the support they need to protect the public." Peterson encourages all Killeen area residents to monitor conditions carefully and heed safety instructions issued by local officials.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state, local and tribal government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.
Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
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.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 04-Jun-2008 12:54:37