RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

WASHINGTON — On July 26, FEMA commemorates the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and FEMA’s efforts to incorporate it into our mission. The ADA guides FEMA’s commitment to improving services and programs so that they are equitably available to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. 

“We have made significant updates to survivor assistance. These changes drastically improve our ability to meaningfully help people with disabilities,” said Administrator Criswell. “This is part of the work we are doing to reach communities disproportionately impacted by disasters more effectively to empower them to rebuild their lives.”

When the ADA legislation passed in 1990, it added to the protections afforded to people with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which provided civil rights legislation that protects people with disabilities from discrimination by federal agencies and federally funded programs. It ensures that FEMA, including members of the workforce with disabilities, community and disability stakeholders and governmental partners at every level have a strong foundation to work together so that disaster survivors with disabilities have equitable access to services and programs, while preserving their independence. 

“The ADA goes beyond ensuring fairness, dignity and access for people with disabilities by accelerating recovery for survivors who rely on medications, medical devices, service animals and personal care services to function,” said FEMA Disability Coordinator and Office of Disability Integration and Coordination

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

BOTHELL, Wash. –  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Retreat Fire burning in Yakima County, Washington. 

The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:27 a.m. PT. He determined that the Retreat Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the fourth FMAG declared in 2024 to help fight Washington wildfires. 

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the City of Tieton, community of Cowiche, and Town of Naches. The fire also threatened multiple state highways, local cemeteries, churches, schools, recreation areas, local cultural and historical hunting and gathering grounds of the Yakama Nation, power lines, the Rimrock Dam and the Yakima Tieton Irrigation District. 

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

BOTHELL, Wash. –  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Gwen Fire burning in the Nez Perce Reservation and in Nez Perce and Latah counties, Idaho. 

The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:23 a.m. PT. He determined that the Gwen Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the second FMAG declared in 2024 to help fight Idaho wildfires. 

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Juliaetta, Myrtle, Arrow Junction and Lenore and the city of Lapwai. The fire also threatened private and nonprofit public utilities and critical community infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public businesses and recreational areas. 

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

MADISON, Miss. – Homeowners and renters in Hancock, Hinds, Humphreys, Madison, Neshoba and Scott counties who were affected by the April 8-11, 2024, severe storms have two weeks left to apply for assistance. 

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance the following ways:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Go online to DisasterAssistance.govDownload the FEMA mobile app  

FEMA assistance may cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is non-taxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, or other benefits. 

Survivors have until August 9, 2024, to apply for assistance. 

For the latest information on recovery from the April tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4790. On X/Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA and FEMA Region 4@femaregion4.

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.