FEMA Money Authorized For Velma Complex Fires
Release Date: November 30, 2005
Release Number: R6-05-096
» More Information on Velma Complex Fire
DENTON, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help Oklahoma fight the Velma Complex Fires burning in Carter County.
R. David Paulison, Acting Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the state’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fires had burned an estimated 1,000 acres and poses a threat to the communities of Velma and Fox.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s 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 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.
Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Dec-2005 15:28:46