Puerto Rico and FEMA Offer Infrastructure Assistance for Disaster Damaged Communities
Fecha de Publicación: 21 de octubre de 2008
Número de Publicación: 1798-002
» Puerto Rico Severas Tormentas e Inundaciones
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Puerto Rico and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery officials met Friday, October 17, 2008, with local municipalities, state agencies, state public corporations, and non-profit organizations in Ponce. The purpose of the meeting, called an "Applicants' Briefing," was to provide an overview of the Public Assistance Program for state and local governments and non-profit organizations who suffered infrastructure damage or loss due to the September 21 October 3 severe storms and flooding.
Through the Public Assistance Program, FEMA provides grants to reimburse the state and local governments and eligible private nonprofit agencies to repair or replace damaged roads and bridges, water-control facilities, public buildings and their contents, publicly owned utilities, and parks and recreation areas. It also includes funds for emergency services and eligible debris-removal costs related to the disaster. For eligible projects, FEMA reimburses applicants 75 percent of the cost. The state and the applicant are responsible for the remaining 25 percent.
The Applicants' Briefing is conducted by the Governor's Authorized Representative for all potential applicants. The briefing also provides specific information related to the disaster declaration and an overview of Public Assistance procedures.
Next week, Puerto Rico and FEMA will schedule Kick-Off Meetings with eligible applicants of the Public Assistance program.
The Kick-Off Meeting provides a much more detailed review of the program as it applies to a specific community or agency. This allows a Public Assistance Coordinator, assigned to each applicant, to concentrate on the eligibility and documentation requirements for reimbursement. The Public Assistance Coordinator will address issues, such as insurance, environmental protection, historic preservation, and hazard mitigation opportunities. The Public Assistance Coordinator and will work one-on-one with each applicant to identify the eligible scope of work.
Those agencies, municipalities, and/or non-profit entities who are interested in participating in the Public Assistance Program and could not attend the October 17 meeting can call (787) 783-8380 to apply for Public Assistance. The deadline to apply for Public Assistance is Saturday, November 8, 2008.
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.
Fecha de la última actualización: Martes, 21-Oct-2008 23:25:19