President Approves Emergency Declaration for Massachusetts
Release Date: October 19, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-340
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director R. David Paulison announced that the President today declared an emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The emergency declaration allows Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local response efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on October 7, 2005, and continuing.
The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Bristol County.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.
Paulison, named Peter Martinasco as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
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: Thursday, 20-Oct-2005 08:17:32