Homeland Security Awards Oregon $4 Million In Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants
Release Date: May 2, 2006
Release Number: R10-06-010
SALEM, Ore. -- Officials of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have announced two Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM) grant awards totaling $3,940,850 to Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) to fund a sub-grant for a project to protect the city of Portland from earthquake and fire hazards. According to Acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison, the program is supported by the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund to assist States, local governments and Indian Tribal governments in implementing cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive mitigation program. Funding mitigation activities reduces the risk to populations and structures, while reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations.
Oregon Emergency Management Director Ken Murphy shares Paulison's view. "We are very excited about this project being selected out of a nationally competitive grant program," said Oregon Emergency Management Director Ken Murphy. "The benefits to communities that received grants speak well of the partnerships that have developed between local governments, the state and FEMA."
FEMA's portion represents 75 percent of the total $5,308,190 project cost. The city is responsible for the remaining 25 percent cost share or $1,313,616. The grant covers two upgrade projects to reduce community vulnerabilities by:
- Strengthening conduit trestles at key locations to protect Portland's water supply ($4,053,724).
- Reducing fuel loads in wildland/urban interface areas at risk by wildfires ($1,254,466).
The PDM program was created through the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 as a "pre-disaster" source of funds to mitigate against natural hazards and to complement the post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-May-2006 12:53:35