FEMA Obligates Funds to New Orleans Coroner's Office
Release Date: December 13, 2006
Release Number: 1603-583
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last year, the coroner's office found itself without a place to conduct business, thanks to over six feet of floodwater that remained in the facility for several weeks. Today, with the help of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the office has an interim home to conduct its responsibilities so vital to hurricane victims and their families.
With the help of FEMA-obligated money totaling more than $930,000 the New Orleans coroner's office has a temporary facility to use while a new office is being constructed. The temporary facility consists of several buildings, including two main buildings that total more than 21,000 square feet. A variety of toxicology and laboratory equipment was also purchased, including autopsy tables, temporary trailers, scales and refrigerators, as well as computers, printers, furniture, security cameras and miscellaneous medical supplies.
After the hurricane hit, the coroner's office had the daunting task of identifying the bodies of storm victims, in order to return them to their families. The money obligated today will also help fund the continued services of an anthropologist to assist the coroner's continuing identification of victims.
When projects are obligated by FEMA, the funds are transferred to the state. This allows the state to draw down the monies and distribute them to the local applicants. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursals are made.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government buildings, roads and bridges, schools, water and sewer plants, recreational facilities owned by government agencies, some facilities owned by nonprofit agencies, and other publicly owned facilities. FEMA can set aside money to bring each project back to its pre-disaster function and capacity, and the state distributes the money. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.
However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Dec-2006 10:33:38