| The Region III Report The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III Information Source Philadelphia, PA, December 2003 The Virginias suffer more storms The relentless weather of 2003 has made it a challenging year for Region III. The recent declarations of Virginia and West Virginia have set the total number of disasters to 12  second only to the record set in 1996. Shortly after West Virginia's recovery from the effects of Hurricane Isabel, the state was inundated once again with severe storms beginning on November 11. High winds increased damages and caused power outages for nearly 22,000 residents, some of whom were not restored until November 17. Several roads remain closed due to storm impact. Nearly 2,000 primary homes and 550 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Federal disaster aid was made available on November 21 to help West Virginians recover from damage caused by the storms. A total of 34 counties have been designated to receive federal assistance. More than 6,000 teleregistrations have been taken and $9 million in housing funds has been dispersed to date. While still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Isabel, Virginia also suffered a series of storms on November 18-19. These severe storms swept through southwestern portions of the Commonwealth, dumping as much as 8 inches of rain. The flooding damaged approximately 400 homes and 20 businesses. On December 9, President Bush made funds available to help Virginia residents and business owners meet the costs of damage caused by those storms. Individual Assistance is available to Buchanan, Giles, Smyth and Tazewell counties and the cities of Galax and Bland. Nearly $360,000 in housing funds have been distributed. (caption) Calhoun County, W. Va., Nov. 11, 2003 The Cutlip Creek overflows its banks, washing out Rosedale Road. The Calhoun Chronicle/Lisa L. Hayes-Minney (caption)Damascus, Va., Nov. 19, 2003 Postal worker Jerry Cornett watches as water continues to rises around the post office. Bristol Herald Courier/David Crigger CRS Task Force meets in Philadelphia (caption)Philadelphia, Oct. 28, 2003 CRS Task Force members (from left) Chairman Richard Decker, Lisa Holland Jones, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, FIM Program Specialist Bret Gates and Pete Rabbom, California Division of Water Resources. FEMA News Photo by Susan Greatorex The Community Rating System (CRS) Task Force met in Philadelphia to finalize the revision of the CRS manual for current and prospective participants by December 2004. Pennsylvania National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coordinator Kerry Wilson, of the state's Department of Community and Economic Development, and Tom Bresenhan, of the Susquehanna Economic Development Agency-Council of Governments, were invited to participate. "The manual is the policy guidance tool for communities participating in the NFIP Community Rating System," said Bret Gates, CRS Program Manager in FEMA's Mitigation Division in Washington. CRS provides discounts on flood insurance to municipalities that voluntarily take steps beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP to reduce flood risks. Such activities include flood preparedness, flood damage reduction, mapping and regulations, and increasing public awareness. Changes in community status are announced October 1 and May 1 of each year. In Region III, the following communities earned ratings enabling a 10 percent discount: Bel Air, Md.; Bloomsburg, Lewisburg, Milton and Upper St. Clair, Pa.; and Chincoteague and Fairfax County, Va. The task force acts as a national advisory group to FEMA, comprised of local, state and federal officials as well as insurance industry representatives. Insurance consultant Richard Decker is chairman. The group meets three times a year, rotating among FEMA's 10 regions, thereby including participation and input from regional staff. For more information about the Community Rating System, contact Region III CRS Coordinator Gene Marrone at 215-931-5656. The Region III Report Page 2 December 2003 In Brief... 2004 Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Congress appropriated $153 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program grant awards for fiscal year 2004. This program, chaired by FEMA, will support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country to help feed and shelter the Nation's hungry and homeless. EFS funds supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. Total awards for Region III states: Delaware, $292,673; District of Columbia, $365,325; Maryland, $1,896,808; Pennsylvania, $6,322,321; Virginia, $2,109,872; and West Virginia, $862,309. Interoperability Grants: Grants from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice have been awarded to develop projects demonstrating the use of equipment and technology that will increase interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical services. Region III recipients: Rehoboth Beach, Del., $2.4 million; Worcester County, Md.; $5.6 million; Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the University of Virginia, $6 million; Harrison County, W. Va., $5.7 million. ONP Speaks: Region III Director of National Preparedness Robert Welch spoke at several special events about National Preparedness issues. As the keynote speaker at the Delaware Nurses Association's Fall Convention on November 14, he spoke to approximately 300 nurses regarding "Emergency Preparedness and Response for Health Care Providers." On November 10, Welch participated in "Funding West Virginia Homeland Security Needs" a panel discussion organized by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. He answered questions regarding First Responder Grants and addressed changes in the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. If you would like additional information on the news briefs, please call the External Affairs Office at 215-931-5614/5716. News From Our State Partners Virginia receives EOC grant The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that nearly $74 million in grant funds has been allocated to 19 states and territories for EOC improvements and construction. Among the awardees is the Commonwealth of Virginia, receiving $5,137,452. The new center will improve the flexibility, security and interoperability of Virginia's emergency preparedness and management. Construction is already underway near the current facility grounds of the Virginia State Police Headquarters. "The new EOC will give us room to do our job. During Isabel, there was not enough room for the staff we needed," said Bob Spieldenner, Public Information Officer of Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "We had eight people in an office that normally holds two. Additional staff had to be housed in a room without the necessary infrastructure. FEMA staff was housed in a different building altogether." But it's not just about size. The installation of upgraded computer and telecommunication systems will allow more efficient coordination of information. New directors for MEMA and DCEMA Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced the appointment of John W. Droneburg, III, as the new Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Droneburg will officially assume his duties on January 5, 2004. The District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency Director, Peter LaPorte, resigned from his post December 12. Barbara Childs-Pair is serving as the Acting Director. Happy Holidays! H The Region III Report Page 3 December 2003 RISC meets in Philadelphia (caption)Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 13, 2003 USMC Colonel Dick Kokko speaks at the 2003 RISC meeting. The Response and Recovery Division hosted the semi-annual Regional Interagency Steering Committee conference held at the Regional Office on November 12 and 13. In the wake of Hurricane Isabel, approximately 70 representatives from the 12 Emergency Support Functions (ESF)  primary and secondary agencies, the Department of Defense and Civil Air Patrol attended the meeting, which focused primarily on early disaster response issues. Topics during the meeting included the role and responsibilities of the Department of Energy in response operations and the capabilities of the National Urban Search and Rescue task forces. Other information was presented regarding medical assets available during a disaster, national pharmaceutical stockpiles and Department of Defense capabilities. The conference concluded with individual presentations from each primary ESF agency on their actions during the Hurricane Isabel response. The New Seal  What you need to know Are you in the planning stages of developing a product that will bear the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seal? All publications, products and materials produced by FEMA should use the DHS seal with the FEMA wordmark. All usage of the seal should adhere to DHS guidelines. Usage of the seal on a publication, presentation, video or other product should be cleared through Public Affairs during product development. If you are planning to include the DHS seal and FEMA wordmark in your project, please complete Part A of the Public Communication Checklist at http://online.fema.net seal_usage_approval_form.doc. Submit the form to her or, when appropriate, to an open Disaster Field Office public affairs officer. If you you are unable to access the checklist, call Region III PAO Niki Edwards at 215-931-5614. To avoid possible misuses, please:  Do not change the arrangement of the preferred signature lockup  The FEMA wordmark to the right of the DHS seal.  Do not change the arrangement of the alternate signature lockup  The FEMA wordmark underneath the DHS seal.  Do not change the color of the wordmark or seal.  Do not re-typeset or outline the wordmark.  Do not place the seal within a shape.  Do not distort the seal or wordmark. Any questions regarding the use or application of the Homeland Security seal and FEMA wordmark, including use by outside organizations, should be directed to niki.edwards1@dhs.gov. On the move... Pamela James-Willis has accepted the Emergency Management Program Specialist position in Individual Assistance. Administrative Clerk Tina Lai will move to the Office of National Preparedness Division as a Technological Hazards Program Assistant on December 29. Financial Management Specialist Jennifer Stockton has accepted a position with the National Park Service. Her last day was December 10. The Region III Report Page 4 December 2003 Region receives nearly $65 million in firefighter grants Region III states have received nearly $65 million in 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant awards, more than any other region to date. Pictured left, Fire Program Specialist Lori Bainbridge presents a $97,983 check to the Funkstown Fire Department in Maryland on December 12. To the right, the Wilmington Fire Department ceremoniously accepts a grant of over $173,000. Grant announcements will continue into 2004. The Region III Report is a vehicle for FEMA to share information with its federal, state and local partners and staff. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, send your e-mail address and/or changes to melissa.janssen@dhs.gov. Send suggestions and story ideas to Niki Edwards at r3report@fema.gov. | |
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