FEMA Disaster Specialists to Provide Mitigation Workshops at Home Improvement Stores in Portland and Biddeford 

Release Date: May 18, 2007
Release Number: 1691/93-009

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SCARBOROUGH, Maine - Two free disaster assistance workshops will take place at Lowe's home improvement stores in Portland and Biddeford next Monday and Tuesday. The workshops are open to the public and designed to provide information to residents on homeowner mitigation and on state and federal disaster assistance following the April flooding. They will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at:

Offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with Lowe's, the workshops feature mitigation experts who will provide information on steps individuals and homeowners can take to protect homes from future storm and flood damage. In addition, a member of FEMA's Individual Assistance team will also be available to help answer more specific questions from individuals who registered for disaster assistance.

The FEMA disaster experts will provide beneficial mitigation tips and disaster assistance information to homeowners, building contractors, architects and others who are interested. Homeowners can learn some simple inexpensive building techniques or strategies that could save costly repairs in the event of a disaster.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the workshop to be held Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lowe's, 1058 Brighton Avenue in Portland and at 220 Mariner Way in Biddeford.

A study by The National Institute of Building Science's Multi-hazard Mitigation Council found that, although risk from natural disasters cannot be eliminated completely, every $1 spent on mitigation measures can save as much as $4 in response and recovery costs.

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.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has statutory responsibility for statewide coordination of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. MEMA is a bureau of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-May-2007 16:36:33