Federal Government Moves On Wide Front To Help Western New York
Release Date: October 19, 2006
Release Number: 3268-001
» More Information on New York Snowstorm
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Federal government is working on a wide front to assist state and local agencies in Western New York to recover from the surprise October snowstorm, according to Federal Coordinating Officer Peter Martinasco of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Among the initiatives underway are:
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FEMA has tasked the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to install generators to help public oriented agencies in aiding those displaced or impacted by the storm. USACE has installed 10 generators ranging from 35 KW to 150 KW at facilities including food pantries, soup kitchens, nursing homes, a State Police facility, and a local emergency operations center. The first generator was installed at 2:00 a.m. on October 17.
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FEMA has also tasked the USACE to form a Debris Management Oversight Team to assist in the preparation and execution of debris removal contracts and resolve any issues that may arise from the field.
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Seven teams of State and FEMA staff are visiting the four declared counties of Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans to assess whether damages and losses would lead to further need for federal assistance. Teams started their work yesterday.
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The U. S. Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is working with the New York State Department of Labor Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to ensure safety and health practices among workers responding to the disaster. Ten teams of state and federal safety and health professionals are visiting work sites around the four county declared area to advise on best work safety and health practices.
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FEMA liaisons are visiting local officials in the four counties to ascertain if they have questions about aid procedures and policies.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 20-Oct-2006 11:02:47