FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant For Georgia's Harveytown Fire; Fifth Fmag To Georgia This Fire Season
Release Date: June 1, 2007
Release Number: R4-07-109
ATLANTA, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse costs to Georgia to fight the Harveytown Fire in Bryan County.
Georgia requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) late yesterday afternoon. The blaze started Sunday, but jumped containment yesterday and now threatens about 240 residences in the City of Pembroke. About 140 people were affected by a mandatory evacuation order issued yesterday.
In granting the state’s request for assistance, Phil May, Regional Administrator for FEMA’s Region IV, said, “This fire is a good example of how current weather conditions can allow a small fire to become a threat to a city overnight. FEMA will continue to help states fight these fires. This is the fifth fire management grant to Georgia this season, and the eleventh in our region.”
Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
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: Friday, 01-Jun-2007 15:59:41