FEMA Updates Search, Find, and Secure Columbia Accident Activities
Release Date: February 16, 2003
Release Number: 3171-25
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Lufkin, TX - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today a request from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) asking area citizens and landowners for continued help in locating Space Shuttle Columbia material.
"We are extremely thankful for the tremendous assistance that has come from countless sources in reporting shuttle material finds," said Dave Drachlis of NASA. "We're asking everyone's continued support of this extremely important effort by searching their property and reporting suspected Columbia materials to 866-446-6603. We are also asking people who previously reported material finds to call again if the material has not been picked-up," concluded Drachlis.
Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells gave the following incident update.
- The Southern Area Incident Command 'Blue Team' has set up a 'Base Camp' in Nacogdoches with 350 total personnel. Fourteen 20-person teams are conducting patterned searches. Seventy-two support personnel are on site.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that 77 percent of sites in Texas and 99 percent of sites in Louisiana where Shuttle material had been reported have been cleared.
- The total number of Forest Service searchers is expected to increase to 2,000 by February 20. Other federal, state and local emergency workers also supported Shuttle disaster operations. Twenty-four emergency workers assisted in search operations outside Texas and Louisiana.
- Navy divers are expected to begin full water recovery operations at Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Sabine River this week. Water searches are expected to take approximately 45 days.
- A shuttle main engine turbopump has been recovered close to Fort Polk, Louisiana. It was buried 14 feet below the ground's surface.
- As of last Saturday, the western boundary of the confirmed material field was just west of Fort Worth, Texas. Teams continue to investigate reports of material as far west as California. A search for material is underway in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque, based on witness reports of sonic booms and impact noise in that area.
- The first federal funds have been obligated, under the FEMA/Texas Public Assistance Program, to reimburse eligible applicants for shuttle material recovery expenses, and the activation expenses of emergency operations centers. Eligible overtime and material expenses for emergency response personnel are also included in the obligation.
Last Modified: Friday, 11-Apr-2003 13:49:55