Public Assistance Applicants' Briefing To Be Held Wednesday 

Release Date: November 13, 2006
Release Number: 1664-009

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HONOLULU, Hawaii -- An applicants’ briefing for Maui County concerning the Federal Public Assistance Program is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, state and federal disaster recovery officials announced today.

The briefing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Maui County Emergency Operations Center, 200 South High Street, Wailuku.

Representatives of state, county, and certain private, nonprofit organizations that may be eligible for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Public Assistance program are encouraged to attend. For further information, call Bob Collum at (808) 970-7285.

The major disaster declaration signed by President Bush on October 17 for the earthquake on October 15 made funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private, nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.

Private, non-profit organizations eligible to receive Public Assistance funds are those that provide a public service. Examples include medical facilities and day centers for children or elderly individuals

A November 7 amendment to the presidential declaration made the counties of Maui and Honolulu eligible for additional categories of Public Assistance. These categories authorize funds for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities and parks, and other recreational facilities.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 13-Nov-2006 19:24:14