Metairie Hospital Receives Health Boost With FEMA Assistance 

Release Date: November 19, 2007
Release Number: 1603-747

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METAIRIE, LA. -- A full service hospital in Jefferson Parish recently received money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will go toward reimbursement of storm-generated repair costs.

East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie suffered significant damages during Hurricane Katrina. Rain seeped into the interior, which caused mold damage. High winds also tore off portions of the hospital’s roof. Approximately 95 percent of the repairs have been completed.

The hospital employs 3,000 people and has 448 beds. Despite the damages, emergency power allowed the hospital to remain open immediately following the storm. It offers several clinical services, including cardiovascular, cancer and orthopedic care.

"The FEMA funds certainly assist us," Vice President of Finance Jack Sullivan said. "The money that has come from FEMA has been a tremendous help."

The recent FEMA funds were for more than $1.9 million. A total of more than $11 million has been obligated to East Jefferson General Hospital.

When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case East Jefferson General Hospital, to work with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. 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 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. 

Last Modified: Monday, 19-Nov-2007 16:35:03