Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated over $786 million to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to replace nearly 1.5 million meters damaged by Hurricane María. These will have Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a two-way communications technology that collects detailed metering information for all of PREPA’s service areas.
AMI will improve the operation of the electric system, as well as the metrics and situational awareness of the Authority and customers to address security issues and irregular situations during future atmospheric events. The smart meters will also allow real-time reading so that customers can be aware of voltage quality.
“The funds are part of the allocations under FEMA’s Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAASt) for the Authority. These meters will provide greater transparency to customers about the service they receive. The infrastructure will also help the government meet its energy public policy goals, according to federal and local statutes,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.
The FEMA-approved project establishes that there will be a better detection of energy service interruptions, as well as a more accurate estimate of outage periods for affected customers. In addition, the smart meters will provide information to identify faults with hot sockets or fallen wires, for example, to dispatch assistance equipment, if necessary.
Furthermore, AMI technology will facilitate the integration of microgrid networks to restore power using alternate energy resources. By identifying service capacity in challenging areas, interconnection points can be provided for a better distribution of resources and thus reduce interruptions created by energy demand.
To date, FEMA has allocated nearly $31.6 billion for nearly 10,900 projects to address Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María. In September 2020, FEMA obligated nearly $9.5 billion to PREPA through the FAASt program for the repair of its energy infrastructure.
To date, FEMA has awarded over $1.2 billion for about 1,100 permanent construction projects in private, nonprofit facilities throughout Puerto Rico, including long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
CHICAGO – Hasta el jueves, 7 de diciembre la asistencia de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) para los residentes del condado Cook afectados por las inundaciones y tormentas sobrepasa los $10 millones.
A continuación, un resumen de la asistencia por desastre de FEMA hasta el 7 de diciembre:
Más de 3,000 familias han sido aprobados para recibir subvenciones de FEMA por un total de $10.5 millones, entre ellos:
$9.4millones en subvenciones para vivienda, incluyendo Asistencia de Alquiler a corto plazo y costos de reparación de viviendas.
$1.1 millones aprobados para otras necesidades esenciales relacionadas con el desastre, como gastos médicos, dentales y pérdida de bienes personales.
Se han completado casi 4,800 inspecciones de viviendas.
Hasta la fecha, 700 propietarios e inquilinos del condado Cook han recibido ayuda en uno de los dos centros de recuperación de FEMA.
Los equipos de Asistencia por Desastre de FEMA han visitado 5,800 viviendas y 150 empresas; han interactuado con casi 1,500 sobrevivientes y han inscrito a más de 125 familias en el programa de Asistencia Individual de FEMA.
El programa de Asistencia de desempleo por desastre está disponible
Para aquellos que perdieron su trabajo a causa del desastre ocurrido del 17 al 18 de septiembre, la Asistencia de desempleo por desastre (DUA, por sus siglas en inglés) está disponible. El Departamento de Seguridad Laboral de Illinois (IDES, por sus siglas en inglés) está aceptando solicitudes de asistencia de DUA de personas del condado Cook cuyo empleo o trabajo por cuenta propia se haya perdido o interrumpido debido a las inundaciones. Los solicitantes tienen derecho a recibir hasta 35 semanas de beneficios de DUA mientras su desempleo siga siendo consecuencia del desastre. La fecha límite para solicitar es el 27 de diciembre de 2023.
Puede realizar una solicitud al programa de Asistencia de desempleo por desastre:
Comunicándose con la línea de citas del centro de llamadas del IDES al: 217-558-0401.
Identifique que están llamando en relación con la inundación del Condado de Cook - Beneficios de DUA.
Programe una cita para visitar el American Job Center de Lawrence, Pilsen o Woodlawn para presentar una solicitud de beneficios de DUA.
Antes de solicitar DUA, los solicitantes deben solicitar las ayudas ordinarias del seguro de desempleo y ser declarados que son elegibles para recibirlas. IDES trabajará con las personas de forma individualizada para determinar la elegibilidad y el pago de los beneficios de DUA. Para más información, visite IDES acepta solicitudes de ayuda por desempleo tras las inundaciones en el condado de Cook (enlace en inglés).
Recordatorio: Solicite asistencia de FEMA
Se recomienda a los residentes del condado Cook con pérdidas no aseguradas o sin suficiente cobertura debido a las tormentas severas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre que soliciten asistencia federal si aún no lo han hecho.
Llamando a la Línea de Ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Hay operadores multilingües disponibles. Si utiliza el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), el servicio telefónico subtitulado u otros, deberá facilitar a FEMA el número de dicho servicio.
Visitando un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre. Los centros son puntos de atención integral para los sobrevivientes que necesitan asistencia personalizada. Los sobrevivientes pueden acudir a cualquier centro para recibir asistencia. Para conocer la ubicación de los centros y el horario actual, visite FEMA.gov/DRC.
Para más información sobre la recuperación del condado Cook, visite www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4749. La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia por desastre de FEMA es el 19 de enero de 2024.
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La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin importar la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés ni la situación económica. Acomodos razonables, incluso traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano mediante servicio de retransmisión de video, estarán disponibles para garantizar una comunicación efectiva con los solicitantes que no tengan un buen dominio del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido objeto de discriminación, llame a la línea libre de cargos de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si usted usa un sistema de retransmisión, como el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS), servicio telefónico con subtítulos u otros servicios, debe proveerle a FEMA el número para ese servicio
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell heralded 2024 as the agency’s “Year of Resilience” at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the first time a FEMA Administrator has attended COP, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to climate mitigation and adaptation, and collaborating with the international community to combat the effects of climate change.
“We are already feeling the influence of climate change on a global scale as severe weather becomes stronger and more frequent,” said Administrator Criswell. “FEMA is typically recognized as a response and recovery agency, but now more than ever, we are a resilience agency. FEMA’s Year of Resilience is an opportunity to share best resilience practices, advance new innovative ideas and protect even more Americans against disasters. This was my first COP and I was excited to make new connections as well as strengthen existing partnerships with international colleagues. I’m looking forward to bringing the best practices we’ve learned back to the American people.”
While at COP28, Administrator Criswell had the privilege of meeting with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi to discuss civil defense approaches in the UAE, the importance of readiness for complex crises and training standards for the emergency management workforce.
During her visit to the UAE, Administrator Criswell was also graciously welcomed by Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi. Administrator Criswell toured the UAE Civil Defense facilities and exchanged experiences on crisis management, including the importance of innovation and technology in support of management.
COP28 was a crucial opportunity for Administrator Criswell and FEMA leadership to meet with other global leaders championing climate resilience and adaptation. She also had the distinct honor of meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Alexandra Sdoukou in a high-level dialogue about shared priorities, including preparing for, responding to and recovering from frequent and severe disasters including wildfires. Other meetings included bilateral engagements with the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan and Chile among others.
The FEMA delegation also attended the historic establishment of the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP), an initiative bringing together government leaders representing Africa, Australia, Europe and North and South America to increase collaboration, knowledge-exchange and support among regions around the world with a Mediterranean climate experiencing drastic climate impacts.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) meets with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi (middle right) and colleagues to discuss new frameworks for civil protection and readiness for complex crises. (UAE Civil Defense Photo)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) meets with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi (middle right) and colleagues to discuss new frameworks for civil protection and readiness for complex crises. (UAE Civil Defense Photo)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right) and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) discuss the importance of resiliency in the face of worsening disasters during their brief meeting at COP28. (Dimitris Papamitsos, Official photographer to the Greek Prime Minister)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) and Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi (middle right) met with staff to discuss disaster resilience and shared COP28 goals. (UAE Civil Defense Photo)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) and Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi (middle right) met with staff to discuss disaster resilience and shared COP28 goals. (UAE Civil Defense Photo)
CHICAGO – As of Thursday, December 7, FEMA assistance to Cook County survivors affected by the Sept. 17 - 18 storms and flooding topped $10 million.
Here is a snapshot of FEMA disaster assistance as of December 7:
More than 3,000 households have been approved for FEMA grant funding totaling $10.5 million, including:
$9.4million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
$1.1 million approved for other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical, dental, and lost personal possessions.
Nearly 4,800 home inspections have been completed.
To-date, 700 Cook County homeowners and renters have been helped at two open FEMA recovery centers.
FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited nearly 5,800 homes and 150 businesses; they have interacted with almost 1,500 survivors and have registered 125 households for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
For those who lost work because of the Sept. 17-18 disaster, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is now accepting applications for DUA benefits from individuals in Cook County whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the flooding. Claimants are eligible to receive up to 35 weeks of DUA benefits as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Applications for DUA benefits must be filed by December 27, 2023.
To file a DUA benefits claim, individuals are encouraged to:
Contact the IDES call center appointment line at: 217-558-0401.
Identify they are calling related to the Cook County Flood – DUA Benefits.
Schedule an appointment to visit the Lawrence, Pilsen, or Woodlawn American Job Center to file a DUA benefits claim.
Reminder: Apply with FEMA Residents of Cook County with uninsured or under insured losses from the September 17 - 18 severe storms and flooding are encouraged to apply for federal assistance if they haven’t done so already.
Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
Visit a disaster recovery center. The centers serve as one-stop shops for survivors who need one-on-one help. Survivors can visit any center for assistance. To find center locations and current hours, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
For more information about Cook County’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is January 19, 2024.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
CHICAGO – Luego de los desastres, la actividad fraudulenta suele incrementar, los estafadores pueden intentar obtener su dinero o preguntarle sobre su información personal para intentar robar su identidad. Si su vivienda o propiedad personal sufrieron daños por las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre, tenga cuidado al compartir su información personal.
Recuerde, la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) y otros trabajadores federales y estatales de desastre nunca le solicitarán dinero ni exigirán un pago de cualquier tipo.
Solicitudes fraudulentas
Si un inspector de FEMA se presenta en su vivienda y usted no envió una solicitud de FEMA, su información puede haber sido utilizada sin su consentimiento para crear una solicitud de FEMA. Si esto sucede, infórmele al inspector que usted no solicitó asistencia de FEMA, para que pueda enviar una solicitud para detener el curso del procesamiento de la solicitud.
Si usted no solicitó asistencia, pero recibió una carta de FEMA, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión de video, teléfono con subtítulos u otro servicio, proporcione a FEMA su número de dicho servicio. La línea de ayuda enviará una solicitud para detener el posterior procesamiento de esa solicitud.
Otras estafas por desastre
Los equipos, inspectores de viviendas y otros funcionarios de FEMA trabajarán en las zonas afectadas por las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre. Siempre solicite ver una identificación. El personal de FEMA siempre tiene una credencial oficial de identificación.
Tenga cuidado con las llamadas telefónicas inesperadas o las visitas a su vivienda de personas que dicen trabajar para FEMA. Si tiene dudas, contacte a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362 para verificar.
Tome medidas Si considera que usted es víctima de una estafa, repórtelo de inmediato a la policía local.
Si conoce fraudes o estafas que involucren a las operaciones de ayuda por desastre de FEMA, puede reportar esto a FEMA:
La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin importar la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés ni la situación económica. Acomodos razonables, incluso traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano mediante servicio de retransmisión de video, estarán disponibles para garantizar una comunicación efectiva con los solicitantes que no tengan un buen dominio del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido objeto de discriminación, llame a la línea libre de cargos de FEMA al 800-621-3362.Si usted usa un sistema de retransmisión, como el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS), servicio telefónico con subtítulos u otros servicios, debe proveerle a FEMA el número para ese servicio.
CHICAGO – After disasters, fraudulent activity typically increases, and con artists may try to get money from you or ask for your personal information to try and steal your identity. If your home or personal property was damaged in the September 17 – 18 storms and flooding, be careful when giving out your personal information.
Remember, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other federal and state disaster workers will never ask for money and never require payment in any form.
Fraudulent Applications
If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance, so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.
If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. The Helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.
Other Disaster-Related Scams
FEMA crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas affected by the September 17 - 18 storms and flooding. Always ask to see I.D. FEMA personnel always have an official identification badge.
Be careful of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming they work for FEMA. If unsure whether a visit or call is legitimate, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify.
Take Action
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department.
If you have knowledge of fraud or scams involving FEMA’s disaster relief operations, report it to FEMA:
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
Many Florida residents believe they don't need to buy flood insurance. They don't live in a high-risk flood zone. But flooding can happen anywhere, often to the surprise of residents who thought they were covered for disaster. When flooding happens, the damage is typically not covered by most standard homeowners' insurance policies. One inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 of damage in a home.
Flooding in Florida is common. After Hurricane Idalia, more than 5,000 flood claims were filed through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with a total payout over $300 million to date, closing over 85% of the NFIP claims in the first 90 days after the event. In all, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education & Outreach has counseled over 11,000 survivors on the NFIP and other mitigation measures. The flood insurance program has more than 1.7 million policyholders across the state with total coverage exceeding $448 billion.
Residential and business property owners as well as renters can protect themselves from financial losses by having a flood insurance policy through the NFIP to insure buildings and/or their contents. Flood insurance coverage is available regardless of federal disaster declarations. There is a 30-day waiting period before new policies go into effect, so don't wait to obtain a policy.
In Florida, 468 communities participate in the NFIP; 10 communities do not. Residents can purchase a flood insurance policy if their community participates in the NFIP, no matter their flood risk. Coverage is available for residential and commercial buildings and the contents therein:
Up to $250,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for single-to-four family residential structures.
Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for five-or-more family residential structures.
Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for businesses.
As part of its disaster assistance, FEMA has provided Group Flood Insurance Policies (GFIP) to homeowners and renters after Hurricane Idalia. The group policies are 36-month NFIP insurance certificates for disaster survivors who live in a high-risk flood zone, sustain flood damage, do not have flood insurance, and receive FEMA disaster assistance. When a GFIP certificate expires, the survivor is responsible for obtaining and maintaining flood insurance. Failure to maintain flood insurance will affect their eligibility for future disaster assistance.
To purchase a policy, contact your insurance company or agent. In addition to the NFIP, flood insurance is also available from some private insurance providers. For an agent referral, call 800-427-4661 or visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance.
FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX)
Specialists at the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) Customer Care Center can help you with questions about flood mapping and insurance. The FMIX provides the full range of information you need to make informed decisions about both insurance and risk to protect the life you’ve built. The FMIX also connects customers with technical experts specializing in subjects like modeling, GIS mapping, insurance underwriting and claims, and the Hazus loss-estimation software.
WASHINGTON -- FEMA released the 12th annual National Preparedness Report, which provides an overview of the nation’s current disaster risk and capability landscape and outlines progress toward achieving the national preparedness goal of a secure and resilient country. This year’s report continues to highlight the reality of rising costs, frequency and severity of disasters due to climate change as a challenge being faced across all levels of government.
From analyzing 2022 data and looking at trends over decades, FEMA identified preparedness for ongoing community-level risk factors from large-scale disasters and cyber threats, gaps in individual and household preparedness and the lack of building code adoption as key areas for improvement to increase national resilience.
“As the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to meet its mandate of identifying and mitigating our country’s security vulnerabilities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.“The annual National Preparedness Report helps us do exactly that. In outlining the current disaster risk and capability landscape, this report will guide critical Department work in the years ahead -- from equipping communities with the resources and information necessary to prepare for modern homeland security threats, to improving our Departmental disaster response and recovery efforts. I am grateful to FEMA and the many regional, state and local stakeholders whose continued partnership and leadership are essential to our shared goal of building a more secure, more resilient America.”
For over a decade, FEMA has been reporting on the state of national preparedness to identify the risks and opportunities that inform emergency management decision-making. This report offers practical insights into preparedness and capabilities at the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial levels as well as the individual household level to inform decisions about program priorities and resource allocations that increase community resilience.
“The 2023 National Preparedness report makes one thing clear: We all have a part to play when it comes to making sure our communities are prepared for when disaster strikes," said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. "At FEMA, we've been working hard to target our preparedness efforts to make the biggest impact at the individual level. From our Ready Campaign's focus on older adult preparedness to grants designed to help update building codes, I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done with our partners to fill some of the gaps identified in this year's report and increase our nation's resilience."
What does the 2023 report say about the state of the nation’s preparedness?
Lack of Standardized Building Code Adoption: The inconsistent adoption of building codes is one of the most significant factors that compound risk and increase costs from natural hazards. Two out of three communities in the United States need to incorporate the latest building codes.
High Community-Level Risk: Communities identified cyberattacks, pandemics and floods as most likely to occur and cyberattacks, pandemics and earthquakes as most stressful for one or more capabilities. Long-term housing, relocation assistance and community sheltering capabilities continue to be a challenge in higher-risk areas throughout the nation.
Ongoing Individual and Household Preparedness Gaps: The 2022 National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness found that 43% of households surveyed indicated that they intend to prepare in the future but have not started yet and 14% of survey participants indicated they did not intend to prepare.
To respond to these challenges, FEMA has undertaken a series of initiatives to ensure the nation is better prepared when disaster strikes.
In Oct. 2023, FEMA made $1.8 billion available for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance grant programs designed to help communities increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including activities that incorporate eligible building code adoption. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, FEMA set aside $25 million for federally recognized tribes and $2 million for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories that are committed to building code activities.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) plays a vital role in ensuring continuity of operations during conditions such as cyberattacks, severe weather or incidents caused by human error. In Nov. 2023, CISA and FEMA launched two large efforts to increase cyber preparedness:
The new Shields Ready Campaign empowers the critical infrastructure community to prepare for, adapt to, withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions caused by changing conditions. Shields Ready builds on CISA’s Shields Up Campaign, which helps critical infrastructure stakeholders take specific, time-sensitive actions that reduce risk during cyberattacks, physical security threats or natural disasters.
FEMA and CISA also released the first-ever Cyber Incidents Planning Guidance for Emergency Managers, which provides a roadmap for emergency managers across the nation to plan for swift and effective solutions to address the consequences of a cyber incident.
This year as part FEMA’s Ready Campaign focused on individual preparedness, FEMA launched the first ever #SummerReady and #WinterReady initiatives to promote preparedness and resilience against extreme heat and cold. As part of the 2023 National Preparedness Month, FEMA focused on empowering older adults and their caregivers to increase their preparedness while encouraging them to spread preparedness in their communities. FEMA also released the Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults and signed an MOU with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers as part of the ongoing commitment to increasing preparedness for this large part of the U.S. population.
Building community-wide resilience sets the foundation for successful response and recovery efforts. Governments need to work with non-governmental partners and the private sector to ensure holistic preparedness and a full understanding of both the impacts of disasters and the capabilities needed to manage them. This year’s report provides concrete recommendations that partners and stakeholders across the whole community can take to increase the nation’s resilience.
The National Preparedness Report was established in Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-8, signed on March 30, 2011, which required the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to the President the first national preparedness report based on the National Preparedness Goal.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $8.3 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse it for the cost of providing vaccinations and preventative treatment to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $8,251,189 in Public Assistance grants will reimburse the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the costs of contracting to both operate a statewide network of mobile vaccination sites and to provide in-home vaccinations and treatments to homebound patients between July 2022 and May 2023.
One grant of $3,553,090 will cover the cost of contracting with CDR Health Care to provide 24 Registered Nurses for 6,659 hours, and 31 Certified Nursing Assistant/Licensed Practical Nurses for 7,948 hours, as well as costs such as meals, hotel, per diem, wages and mileage.
Those nurses performed telephone outreach, scheduled vaccinations, and provided vaccinator staffing to administer 3,457 vaccinations and 74 therapeutic preventive treatments.
A second grant of $4,698,099 will provide reimbursement for contracting with several firms to operate vaccination sites at 419 locations around the state and provide 19,444 vaccinations to individuals who met certain eligibility criteria.
Services provided included screening patients, administering the vaccine, vaccine storage compliance, documenting procedures, and personal protective equipment protocol compliance.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Massachusetts with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $3.7 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Babson College for the cost of steps taken to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,695,999 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private business school in Wellesley for the costs of contracting for cleaning services and purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) between June 2020 and June 2022.
The college purchased of 134,450 face masks, 896 face shields/goggles, 566,300 gloves, and 700 N95 masks that were distributed among the students, staff, faculty, temporary nurse practitioners, and authorized visitors and vendors while on the campus.
In addition, Babson College also purchased thermometers, at-home antigen COVID testing kits, anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and dispensers, disposable coveralls, alcohol & Lysol wipes, and Kleenex, and hired contracted temporary custodial help for the cleaning and disinfection of campus buildings such as the COVID testing sites, administrative buildings, dining areas, and common areas.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Babson College with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
FEMA NEWS
