FEMA Approves Grant Of Almost $234,000 For Safe Rooms In New Coffeyville Public School
Release Date: January 31, 2003
Release Number: R7-03-05
» 2003 Region VII News Releases
Kansas City, MO -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a grant of $233,746 to help construct safe rooms in the new Coffeyville, Kansas, Community Elementary School. The FEMA grant is the federal contribution; total cost of the Safe Room project is estimated to be $311,661. The local community will contribute $77,915 as the non-federal match requirement.
The funds would come through the agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. "Our goal in hazard mitigation is to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property damage resulting from natural and human-caused hazards," said Dick Hainje, director of FEMA's regional office in Kansas City, Missouri. "Safe Rooms are a wise investment for residents of Tornado Alley."
Safe rooms are designed to protect children and teachers from severe storms that produce high winds and deadly tornadoes common to this area of the state. The city's new elementary school, opening in August, 2004, will house more than 900 pre-K through sixth grade students and more that 150 teachers and staff, making it the largest elementary school in the state. The tornado shelters will be located in three areas throughout the new school.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides 75 percent of the funds for approved projects that lessen or eliminate the loss of lives and property in future disasters. The remaining 25 percent must come from non-federal sources.
These federal funds were made available following the severe winter ice storm that resulted in a Presidential disaster declaration for the state of Kansas in 2002. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are based on a percentage of the estimated federal funds spent on the Public and Individual Assistance programs for each disaster. The state of Kansas, through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, will administer and disperse the federal funds. The state determines which projects will be forwarded to FEMA for consideration and funding.
For more information on the design and construction of Community Shelters visit www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/. For information on residential Safe Room construction, the FEMA booklet, "Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House" (publication #320) is available free by calling 1-888-565-3896.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Apr-2003 11:25:16