FEMA Approves $28 Million More to FDNY for Search / Rescue Equipment and Labor Costs: Public Assistance Grants Reimburse for Costs Associated with World Trade Center Attack
Release Date: September 4, 2002
Release Number: 1391-147
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| New York, NY, September 4, 2002 -- A member of the New York Fire Department shows a thermal imaging camera to U.S. Fire Administrator David Paulison and New York Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. Paulison announced that FEMA will provide an additional $28 million to reimburse FDNY for equipment lost in the World Trade Center collapse and overtime wages. |
New York, NY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved an additional $28 million today to the state of New York to assist the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) with emergency response activities in the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) attack.
FEMA's $28,059,144 Public Assistance grants include:
- $10.8 million to reimburse the FDNY for a variety of equipment and supplies used in response and recovery operations, as well as the replacement of rescue equipment lost when more than 90 FDNY vehicles were destroyed by falling debris at the WTC site. Equipment lost included self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), air cylinders, Hurst tools-known as "jaws of life"-hoses, lights, and thermal-imaging cameras and accessories.
The funding also covers the replacement of "quartermaster items," which include bunker gear, gloves, helmets and other rescue apparel used in the response and recovery operation. Supplies purchased to repair and replace individual SCBA units throughout the entire search and rescue operation were also paid for by FEMA in this grant.
- $17.2 million to reimburse the FDNY for the thousands of man-hours needed to provide emergency coverage for all mandatory posts and stations. On Sept. 11, 343 members of the FDNY perished in the WTC collapse, and numerous others sustained line-of-duty injuries, requiring them to take medical leave. The resulting void meant the remaining members of the department performed overtime duty to back-fill the vacated posts. The FDNY mobilized and reassigned thousands of firefighters from all divisions to ensure New York City had the proper amount of fire coverage at all times
With these latest grants, total FEMA funding approved for the FDNY for emergency response and recovery work exceeds $241 million.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said, "President Bush committed the resources of the federal government to help New York City recover, and this grant goes to the brave men who were on the very front lines of the response and recovery operation. We want to ensure that New York's Bravest get what they need to save lives and protect property."
"The people of New York are immeasurably grateful for the bravery, as well as the long, hard hours expended by the men and women of the Fire Department of New York," said New York State Emergency Management Office Director Edward F. Jacoby, Jr. "This grant, funded through the FEMA/New York State Public Assistance program, recognizes the FDNY's vast responsibilities and strengthens the ability of the department to respond to any future situation."
" September 11th incurred numerous losses within the FDNY," said New York Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. "The support of the federal government has played an enormous role in the rebuilding of the New York City Fire Department ensuring that we are constantly able to provide the highest level of fire protection at all times."
Following his disaster declaration after the Sept. 11 tragedy, President Bush authorized FEMA to pay for 100 percent of the Public Assistance program costs for response and recovery efforts. Public Assistance reimburses government agencies and certain non-profits providing a government-like service for eligible disaster-related damages and costs not covered by insurance.
Among the categories eligible for reimbursement are debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or restoration of damaged public facilities.
Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 16:26:06