THOMPSON ANNOUNCES FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR VALLEY FIRE VICTIMS
FEDERAL DOLLARS APPROVED TO HELP FAMILIES REBUILD AND REPAIR DAMAGED HOMES AND PROPERTY
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of California triggering the release of federal funds to help people recover from the Valley Fire that occurred September 12, 2015, and is continuing. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) funds will be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance.
"These much needed funds will help families in our community begin the rebuilding and recovery process," said Thompson. "So many people lost so much that can never be replaced but this assistance will go a long way towards helping folks return their lives to normal. I thank President Obama and FEMA for making this money available so quickly."
Individuals can register with FEMA the following ways:
- Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.
- Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Hazard Mitigation (HM) Funds were also made available. These funds provide assistance to the state for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Yesterday, Thompson wrote to the White House, urging the President to approve IA. Today, upon returning to Washington, D.C. Thompson had conversations with the White House and Regional Administrator for FEMA Region IX Robert J. Fenton, Jr. about the need to quickly expedite the approval of IA.
The Valley Fire, which started on September 12, 2015 has burned nearly 76,000 acres and is currently 75 percent contained. 1,238 homes have been destroyed. 68 commercial properties and 642 outbuildings have been destroyed. Thousands of people have been displaced.
FEMA previously approved the State of California's request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Valley Fire. The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP) allows for the "mitigation, management, and control" of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
The FEMA grant will cover 75 percent of the costs for various fire suppression, safety and recovery needs. Eligible costs include:
- Costs for equipment and supplies
- Costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control, arson investigation);
- Costs for State emergency operations center
- Costs for the pre-positioning of Federal, out-of-State, and international resources for up to 21 days
- Cost of personal comfort and safety items for firefighter health and safety
- Costs for field camps and meals
- Costs for mobilization and demobilization costs
- Costs for the temporary repair of damage cause by firefighting activities
- Costs for the mitigation, management, and control of declared fires burning on co-mingled Federal land, when such costs are not reimbursable by another Federal agency.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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