Federal Government Responds to Devastating Greensburg Tornado
Release Date: May 8, 2007
Release Number: HQ-07-098
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Washington, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working hand-in-hand with its partners in local, state and federal government as it coordinates the federal response to the devastating tornado that struck Greensburg, Kansas last Friday night. President Bush signed a federal disaster declaration hours after the state submitted its request on Saturday and federal aid was immediately made available.
"The coordination that youve seen at the local, state and federal level is something that Im very pleased with," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison, who traveled to the area Monday. "The New FEMA that youre seeing is leaning forward and moving resources even before we receive a formal request. Then, when the state requests assistance, FEMA can act immediately."
In the first 72 hours after the storm hit, FEMA:
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Responded to state request for Urban Search & Rescue assistance with the deployment of US&R Task Force from Nebraska. The 100 person Task Force was on the ground the same day it was requested.
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Deployed Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) in the form of 13 small Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicles (MEOVs) and one large MEOV to Greensburg for communications and command and control support. The larger MEOV is serving as the Unified Command Post.
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Brought in to the state three trailer loads of water (totaling 48,600 Lit), one trailer load of tarps (2,500), one trailer load of MREs (21,312 meals) and one trailer-size home repair kit providing various roofing supplies, tools and equipment. The state has requested the use of one trailer of water (enough to support 5,000 people for one day) and the available tarps.
- Coordinated with federal partners to provide communications and related equipment including:
- 2 Portable KU Band Satellite Set.
- VHF Radio Communications Trunking System with 75 foot tower and 300 units.
- QUALCOMM wireless cell phone system with 100 units.
- 15 portable satellite phones.
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Deployed three Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs). FEMA disaster assistance personnel are registering victims for federal disaster assistance. 362 registrations have been completed and 3 families have already received their financial assistance.
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Activated an Emergency Housing Team to identify temporary housing requirements and plan the movement of housing units into the affected area. Over 100 home inspectors have arrived and are conducting inspections so that residents can receive housing assistance.
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Began moving trailers and mobile homes. 5 have already arrived in Greensburg with 20 more on the way. 15 additional mobile homes and trailers are being prepared for deployment should they be needed, with 6 of those equipped for persons with disabilities.
- Begun moving mobile office space to be used by local, state and federal officials during on-going recovery efforts.
FEMAs priorities for the next 24 hours are: Search and Rescue, debris removal, enhancing volunteer coordination, bringing in mental health professionals, opening a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Haviland, KS, securing a site for a Joint Field Office and securing office space for the city of Greensburg.
In addition, numerous other federal agencies have begun to provide assistance under the National Response Plan (NRP) in their roles under the NRPs Emergency Support Functions (ESF).
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The Department of Homeland Security/National Communications System (ESF 2) is working with the state and local officials to reestablish communications infrastructure, advising local government as necessary, and providing needed technical assistance.
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The Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Patrol is providing additional law enforcement to protect federal assets.
- The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has staff in FEMA disaster assistance centers answering questions and setting appointments with disaster victims to personally meet with them, as well as issue and accept loan applications.
- SBA has dedicated loan case management teams ready to receive applications from this disaster. They are prepared to turn around loan applications in a matter of days.
- SBAs Kansas district office will coordinate at the local level with businesses to ensure that traditional SBA services such as guaranteed loans for business, business counseling and training, government procurement assistance, and advocacy are carried out.
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The US Army Corps of Engineers (ESF 3) has provided a management team for critical facility restoration planning is on-site providing technical assistance to state and local government.
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The US Forest Service (ESF 4) has established and is managing the base camp that provides food and shelter used by on-site emergency workers.
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The Government Services Agency (ESF 7) is supporting logistical elements of establishing a potential Joint Field Office.
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The Economic Development Administration (ESF 14) is developing rapid response reports that provide recommendations on restoration of economic environment.
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The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (ESF 6) authorized the state to redirect Community Development Block Grant and HOME program funds to address critical needs, including housing for victims and future repairs and replacement of damaged housing. HUD also granted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured homes.
- As part of the Federal Coordination of National Guard activities, assets from other state units are deploying to support Kansas, including:
- Aviation: 6 ea UH-60 Blackhawk's prepped to deploy for SAR.
- Power Generation to Macksville, Stafford County.
- Deployable communications package with voice, data, video and radio interoperability.
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The US Postal Service is prepared to move a mobile post office to the region as needed.
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The US Social Security Administration and the US Veterans Administration are on-hand at a disaster assistance center in Kansas with change of address forms and other needed paperwork to insure benefits, medications and other needed assistance is delivered to those displaced by the storm.
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has two On-Scene Coordinators, with response and command post vehicles to assess potential hazardous material releases.
- FEMA and the State will determine whether there is a need for EPA assistance under the National Response Plan for Oil and Hazardous Materials (ESF 10).
- The US Army Corps of Engineers will determine whether EPA support is needed for Public Works and Engineering (ESF 3) to address either debris or water infrastructure damage.
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: Wednesday, 09-May-2007 10:40:23