Release Date: June 4, 2007
Release Number: 1691/93-015
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SCARBOROUGH, Maine - When a disaster strikes, the initial response is focused on securing the safety and recovery of individuals and families. FEMA's Individuals and Households Program addresses those immediate needs - temporary housing, personal property damage and other disaster-related needs.
However, disasters often impact the community as a whole by inflicting damage upon critical infrastructure and public property, such as bridges and roads. Taking the lead role in helping communities recover is FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program by providing aid to state agencies, local governments, tribal nations and certain non-profit organizations. Without this vital program, communities might face the prospect of cutting public services or raising taxes to pay for necessary repairs.
Funding may be provided for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities that are the responsibility of the applicant, as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. The federal share of recovery costs is at least 75 percent. The remaining share is the responsibility of the state and local government or non-profit organization.
FEMA PA specialists provide valuable guidance to state and local officials and help navigate through the application process.
The PA Program may only provide assistance for projects that are located in a disaster-declared area and are the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant. The program cannot provide assistance for projects that are under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies, such as roads and bridges that are a part of the federal highway system or facilities located on federal lands like wildlife refuges and national parks.
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.
The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has statutory responsibility for statewide coordination of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. MEMA is a bureau of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
Last Modified: Monday, 04-Jun-2007 16:04:51