GREENVILLE , S.C. -- A series of briefings has been scheduled to help communities in South Carolina 's seven storm disaster counties with requests for federal assistance in recovering from the December 15-16 ice storm damage.
The counties became eligible to seek assistance from the federal government when President Bush issued a major disaster declaration on Jan. 20 at the request of Gov. Mark Sanford. Under the Public Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pays 75 percent of the cost of helping local and state governments remove storm debris and repair or restore storm-damaged public property, including electric co-ops and for emergency response expenses such as overtime.
At the briefings FEMA and officials of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division will explain what assistance is available, how to file applications and what documentation is needed. The briefings are intended for local government officials and private, non-profit organizations that perform essential public services.
Public assistance does not include aid for individuals or private property owners. Here is the briefing schedule:
Friday, January 27
Counties participating: Greenville and Laurens
Location: Greenville County Council Chambers
301 University Ridge
Greenville County Square
Greenville , SC 29601
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Counties participating: Anderson , Oconee and Pickens
Location: Tri-County Technical College
Industrial & Business Development Center (IBDC) - Room 126
7900 Highway 76
Pendleton , SC 20670
Time: 2 p.m.
Monday, January 30
Counties participating: Spartanburg and Cherokee
Location: Spartanburg County Council Chambers
Administration Building--Main Level
366 North Church St.
Spartanburg , SC 29303
Time 9:30 a.m.
Friday, February 3
Midlands Area State Agencies
Location: SCEMD Headquarters
Governor's Situation Room
2779 Fish Hatchery Road
West Columbia , SC 29172
Time: 10 a.m.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state