DHS Funds Seismic Retrofit For Tumwater School
Release Date: March 11, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-069
Seattle, WA -- Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has approved an $875,535 Hazard Mitigation Grant for Tumwater School District #33. According to Ridge, the funds will be used to retrofit the Littlerock Elementary School Multipurpose Building to better withstand structural damage from future earthquakes.
"We know from damage sustained during the Nisqually Earthquake that the structure is susceptible to seismic stress," said Ridge. "This retrofit will strengthen the building and make children safer."
Acting Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown agrees. "If we needed a reminder that the Pacific Northwest is a seismically active region, the Nisqually Earthquake was that reminder. We all know it could have been much, much worse," said Brown. "No building can be made earthquake proof,' but hazard mitigation projects offer the peace of mind of providing school staff and school children alike, safer surroundings next time the earth moves."
Total project cost is $875,535, with FEMA providing $656,651, or 75 percent. The funds were made available through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) administered by the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD). Local jurisdictions apply for grant aid through a competitive process that demonstrates high-hazard disaster risk and provides a cost-effective mitigation project that greatly reduces or eliminates the hazard.
On March 1, 2003 FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for emergency preparedness and response. Regional offices are located in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Denton (Texas), Kansas City, Denver, San Francisco and Seattle.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19-Mar-2003 15:28:43