FEMA Approves $1.3 Million Grant for Christiana Hospital to Minimize Flood Damage 

Release Date: August 2, 2007
Release Number: R3-07-011

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that more than $1.3 million was approved for Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

This federal funding, issued under FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM) program, will be used to implement measures that will reduce the potential for recurring damages from flooding. Flood mitigation improvements are proposed around the service and medical building to minimize future damages to the building structure and protect critical electrical equipment that provides power and emergency backup power to the hospital.

"Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness and management. Funding these types of plans and projects reduces risks to lives and property," said Jonathan Sarubbi, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. "Mitigation saves our nation $4 for every dollar spent. This program encourages local leaders to look ahead and plan against what could be catastrophic events."

Authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act, the goal of the PDM program is to reduce the overall risk to people and property from future disasters, while also reducing reliance on funding from disaster declarations. FEMA's PDM grant program provides funding, on a competitive basis, to states, territories, Indian tribal governments, local governments and communities for implementing cost-effective hazard mitigation planning and projects before disasters occur.

PDM funding is subject to congressional appropriations. Most projects are eligible for a 75 percent federal share with a 25 percent non-federal match, but small, impoverished communities may be eligible for up to a 90 percent federal cost-share.

In this instance, FEMA will pay $1,381,369 – 75 percent of the project costs, which total $1,841,825. The state or local applicants will provide non-federal funds to pay the remaining 25 percent.

The PDM Program, first authorized in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and first funded by President Bush in his FY 2003 budget, provides funding for mitigation plans and the implementation of cost-effective and feasible projects, such as buyouts of flood-prone buildings, construction of safe rooms, elevations of homes located in the floodplain or making structures more earthquake resistant, prior to disaster events. All funding is contingent on completion by the applicant of required pre-award activities such as verification of non-federal matching funds, compliance with environmental and historic preservations regulations, etc.

Additional PDM information is available at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pdm/index.shtm.

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: Thursday, 02-Aug-2007 14:20:09