Federal-State-Local Public Assistance for Wildfires Expanded in Three Counties
Release Date: November 28, 2008
Release Number: 1810-014
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PASADENA, Calif. -- Disaster assistance for local governments of Los Angeles, Orange and Santa Barbara counties that suffered wildfire damage has been expanded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Besides the initial federal, state and local assistance for community wildfire-related debris removal and emergency protective services, Los Angeles, Orange and Santa Barbara counties may be eligible to receive aid for the repair, restoration and replacement of damaged public facilities: roads and bridges; water facilities; public buildings and equipment; public utilities, and recreational and other public facilities, FEMA officials said.
"Funding for these civic restoration projects is shared jointly: 75 percent federal and 25 percent state and local sources," said Mark Neveau, federal coordinating officer.
Under the FEMA public assistance program, eligible applicants include: state government agencies and departments, local governments - county, city, town and districts and certain private nonprofit organizations providing educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and other governmental-like services.
"A key part of the recovery process is helping communities repair and restore their damaged public facilities," said State Coordinating Officer Tom Maruyama.
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties are designated for federal and state individual assistance. Individual Assistance includes housing assistance for damages related to the wildfires and U.S. Small Business low-interest disaster loans. Riverside County also receives public assistance for debris removal and emergency protective serves.
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: Monday, 01-Dec-2008 08:33:21