FEMA Approves More Than $1 Million To Bury Power Lines To Guam Hospital 

Release Date: December 8, 2003
Release Number: R9-03-122

» 2003 Region IX News Releases

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today it has obligated $1.08 million to the Territory of Guam to bury electrical transmission lines to the Guam Memorial Hospital.

"FEMA recognizes the importance of taking preventive action to save lives and protect resources in the future," said Jeff Griffin, Regional Director, FEMA Region IX. "This project will protect the electrical service to the island's only civilian hospital and to surrounding clinics and help authorities restore power quickly after a typhoon."

Two typhoons struck Guam last year and caused more than $278 million in damages to the island. The hospital was on back-up power for several weeks and operated with very limited capabilities until power could be restored. Putting the power lines underground will help minimize the time it takes to restore power to the critical medical facility in the future.

FEMA normally provides 75 percent of eligible project costs with the remaining 25 percent coming from local resources. In this case, FEMA is paying 90 percent of the mitigation costs; the Guam Power Authority is contributing $120,000.

The federal money is made available under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program that provides money to lessen future impact disasters have on people and property. Program funds are based on a percentage of the total disaster assistance funds provided to Guam after last year's typhoons.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 09-Dec-2003 10:20:18