FEMA Officials Explain 'Public Assistance' Program 

Release Date: February 12, 2003
Release Number: 3171-18

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Lufkin, TX -- Recovery officials have begun a series of meetings to explain to local and state agency officials how to apply for federal reimbursement of eligible costs incurred in responding to the Space Shuttle Columbia loss.

The reimbursements are made through the federal/state Public Assistance Program. The Texas Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administer the program.

Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells said, "Local governments have been on the front line of this response and expended precious resources. We want to reimburse those costs as quickly as possible, and these briefings are the first step in that process. The reimbursement effort is underway."

The President's emergency declaration makes all eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures reimbursable under the program.

Among categories that may be eligible for reimbursement are: shuttle materials handling; measures to protect public health and safety; personnel, equipment and supplies costs; emergency medical care, activation of emergency operations centers and search operations.

Local governments in the following counties have been considered for assistance. Other counties may be considered later.

Anderson, Andrews, Angelina, Bell, Bowie, Cameron, Camp, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Comanche, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, El Paso, Franklin, Freestone, Grayson, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Leon, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Orange, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Somervell, Tarrant, Trinity, Upshur, Walker, Williamson, and Wood Counties for debris removal (Category A) and emergency protective measures (Category B) under the Public Assistance program.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 26-Mar-2003 09:15:24