FEMA Obligates Over $2 Million For Blood Center In New Orleans
Release Date: November 2, 2006
Release Number: 1603-569
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that over $2.1 million has been obligated to assist The Blood Center in its efforts to restore its facility to pre-Katrina conditions.
The funds announced today will be used for work that includes permanent facility repairs, as well as reimbursement for temporary facilities and emergency services provided in the months following the disaster. Also included is replacement of contents for both the lab and administrative offices, including blood containers, lab supplies, nursing supplies, furniture and office equipment.
The 18,000-square-foot facility sustained over three feet of floodwater when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana last year. The center provides blood and blood components to most of the area’s hospitals and outpatient clinics, and collects approximately 100,000 pints of blood per year.
When projects are obligated by FEMA, the funds go into an account the state can draw money from through a simple transaction. The state generally receives the funds within 72 hours. It then disburses the money to the agency doing the project. The state may require additional documentation before it releases the money to the local applicant.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government buildings, roads and bridges, schools, water and sewer plants, recreational facilities owned by government agencies, some facilities owned by nonprofit agencies, and other publicly owned facilities. FEMA can set aside money to bring each project back to its pre-disaster function and capacity, and the state distributes the money. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
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: Thursday, 02-Nov-2006 12:39:19