FEMA And Congressional Staff Brief Local Community And Tribal Officials On Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act
Release Date: July 27, 2000
Release Number: HQ-00-104b
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   Photo of FEMA and staff members from the New Mexico congressional delegation. |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and staff members from the New Mexico congressional delegation met in Washington today with local community and tribal officials to discuss the work being done to implement the Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act. President Clinton signed the Act on July 13 and FEMA is working on publishing interim final regulations within 45 days to establish a quick and customer-friendly claims process.
"Working with community and tribal leaders helps ensure those impacted by the Cerro Grande Fire will better understand how to file claims," said FEMA Director James L. Witt "As the claims process and regulations are developed, we also must have an understanding of what is important to the communities and how best to go about meeting their needs."
FEMA officials and staff from the congressional offices of Senators Domenici and Bingaman, and Representative Udall, met to gain input and gather comments from community leaders regarding FEMA's implementation of the new regulations. Officials representing areas affected by the Cerro Grande Fire included individuals from Los Alamos County, Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, and Santa Clara Pueblo. Also participating in the meeting was the chief of staff from Governor Johnson's office.
"Today's meeting was the first step in a new outreach effort," said Witt. " I hope those who came to Washington will carry what they learned about the new compensation program back home and share it."
Topics discussed included the following:
The status of FEMA's work regarding the Fire Assistance Act
- FEMA is drafting regulations that will appear in the Federal Register and will serve as interim final regulations. They must be ready within 45 days from the signing of the Act, and will establish a claims process and set up a claims office. The deadline date for completion of the regulations has been set as August 28, 2000. At which time they will be made available for public comment. August 28 will also serve as the date when FEMA will establish the claims office in New Mexico.
Who is eligible to apply for compensation?
- Through the Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act the government is compensating the victims injured as a result of the fire. The Act defines those injured as "individuals, regardless of citizenship or alien status; or an Indian tribe, corporation, tribal corporation, partnership, company, association, insurer, county, township, city, State, school district, or other non-federal entity." The types of injury to be compensated include, personal, real or economic damage.
What should those with insurance policies do?
- Individuals will still be able to file a claim with FEMA if they have already settled with their insurance company. Under the new law, compensation for losses not covered by insurance can be covered.
How long is the claims process going to take?
- Under law, payments will be made no later than 180 days after the date on which a claim is submitted.
Last Modified: Monday, 29-Dec-2003 12:23:20