LAWMAKER:FEMA trailer maker knew of formaldehyde Nov 24, 2008
Lawmaker: FEMA trailer maker knew of formaldehyde - USATODAY.com ... Lawmaker: FEMA trailer maker knew of formaldehyde ... A U.S. House lawmaker says one of the largest makers of FEMA trailers knew of high levels of formaldehyde in the structures. (USA Today -- News)
Whos responsible for Seabrook's post-construction debris? Nov 24, 2008
Coastal residents were surprised when FEMA stopped paying for debris removal in late October ... FEMA, has yet to reimburse it ... They'll have to turn to their insurance companies, and then, FEMA.. (KHOU.com, TX)
VA Hospital plans worry neighborhood residents Nov 24, 2008
Officials with the state and LSU, which operated the former Charity Hospital that's been shuttered since Katrina, contend damage to the 70-year-old structure near the Superdome was so extensive that FEMA should pay for a complete replacement. FEMA disagrees. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Mendoza: City needs $40 million a year for roads Nov 23, 2008
Despite the federal money, the Public Works Department is requesting more than $40 million from the City Council to fix all the other streets not covered by FEMA money or grants. "We know that number need to be close to $40 million every year. Not just one time -- every single year," said Mendoza. (WWLTV.com, LA)
$1 million grant is for emergency radios Nov 22, 2008
The grant from FEMA is the maximum amount FEMA will fund in a given year, said Mark Cleck, deputy fire chief at West End ... FEMA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Mahoney wants to reconcile with wife Nov 22, 2008
For the indiduval who made that commit either male or female; I can only imagine that you re envious that it s not you ... Martin County needed FEMA money so they used a female engineering manager to have sex with Mahoney so that he would lobby on behalf of Martin County ... The county sweeps the Mahoney FEMA-gate scandal under the rug thus placing the scarlet letter on every female that works for Martin County. (The Palm Beach Post)
Ike debris still clutters the streets of San Leon Nov 22, 2008
"The county is having to finance partial amounts until or unless FEMA agrees to fund the 100%," said Garret Foskit with the Galveston County Nuisance Abatement ... But what FEMA doesn't cover, will fall entirely to the county. (KHOU.com, TX)
And then there were two? Nov 21, 2008
The federal disaster agency, Fema, says it has moved 95% of households out of the trailers. . (Yahoo News -- Presidential Election 2000)
Permanent home still eludes some post-Katrina Nov 21, 2008
Rockell Joseph, her husband, Rafeal, in background, and their six children have lived in a motel since their FEMA trailer park closed last month ... The Josephs are among nearly 300 families in Mississippi returned to hotels from mobile homes as FEMA moves to close the last of its emergency housing sites in the state ... "We're down now to working with some really difficult situations," says Eugene Brezany, spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which continues to pay the... (USA Today)
Politics: Obama looks at Napolitano for homeland spot Nov 21, 2008
If confirmed, she could oversee a fight to remove FEMA from the department, a position gaining some traction on Capitol Hill. Associated Press writers Liz Sidoti, Devlin Barrett, Sharon Theimer in Washington and Paul Davenport and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix contributed to this report. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES Nov 20, 2008
Presiding Commissioner Rauls and Commissioner Bradford met with FEMA and SEMA on October 28, 2008 with Becky Hunt, Madison County Emergency Preparedness Director. They also attended the Environmental Roundtable at the Madison County Health Department. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Web sites, numbers for Tea Fire information Nov 20, 2008
Santa Barbara is one of several California counties that will receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after they were declared major disaster areas due to the string of wildfires that burned through hundreds of homes. FEMA officials announced the assistance to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties Tuesday because of the widespread, devastating wildfires. (Santa Maria Times)
Workers' anxieties grow as UTMB begins layoffs (w/video) Nov 19, 2008
A special team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency assessed damages at UTMB, but FEMA has not disclosed the amount it was willing to reimburse. Department heads are expected to meet personally with those being fired, but many of those losing their jobs have been unable to return to work since the storm struck on Sept. 13 and will be notified by phone, e-mail or letter, UTMB spokeswoman Kristen Hensley said. (Houston Chronicle)
Obama interview draws record audience for '60 MINS'; Biggest audience in nine years... Nov 18, 2008
Obama interview sets '60 Minutes' viewership record--The Live Feed. Obama interview sets '60 Minutes' viewership record. (The Drudge Report)
Adrift since Katrina: Hundreds in hotels Nov 18, 2008
"It's not like I'm depending on FEMA to help me," she said ... The Josephs are among nearly 300 families returned to hotels as FEMA moves to close down the last of its emergency housing sites in Mississippi ... Rockell Joseph said they spent their savings two years ago to run utilities to a spot on some family land near McComb where they believed FEMA would allow them to place a mobile home. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Dept. of Labor probes blue-roof project Nov 17, 2008
McGuire blamed the lack of oversight on FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, primary contractors and subcontractors, which he said left his crew of 15 laborers scrambling to find side jobs to earn money to return home. McGuire said he is owned more than $10,000 for four weeks of work. (KHOU.com, TX)
Council shares new knowledge from conferences Nov 16, 2008
Schuman and building inspector Jack Neubauer attended an open house hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the month of October. The open house addressed current flood map revisions, which may put properties within newly established flood zones. (Millbrook Round Table, NY)
Flood Recovery Partners program ends area services Nov 16, 2008
The organization applied for and received a 60-day FEMA extension in September. Those needing additional services have been referred to other agencies, Allen said. (Winona Daily News, MN)
'Toxic trailers' Nov 14, 2008
Many survivors were placed in trailers supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) - the body charged with dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. However, many occupants say the trailers were made with toxic substances and made them sick - accusations denied by Fema ... "One morning we woke up and found our pet cockatiel lethargic and unable to hold his balance. It has been three years and many are still waiting for a home "We called the vet and he asked us where we were... (BBC News -- Americas)
Good and bad of GOP governors' plan Nov 14, 2008
"FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) should be a pass-through agency," pressed one governor. . (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Napolitano makes cut on Obama's short list Nov 14, 2008
Homeland Security Secretary: former congressman and 9/11 commission member Tim Roemer, New York police commissioner Raymond Kelly, Richard Clarke, the former U.S. anti-terrorism chief, and former FEMA director James Lee Witt. Secretary of State: U.S. Sen. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Toxic trailers sold to public as scrap Nov 14, 2008
As of Oct. 27, FEMA identified 10,000 units that could be designated as scrap and sold under federal law ... "I am deeply concerned about the well-being of those individuals who may unwittingly come to reside in these potentially contaminated trailers," Thompson wrote in a letter to the FEMA administrator Thursday ... Residents of FEMA-issued trailers reported frequent headaches, nosebleeds and other ailments. (WWLTV.com, LA)
WANT SOME GOVERNMENT MONEY? APPLY NOW! Nov 13, 2008
Read up on the Halliburton /FEMA detention camps, Operation Garden Plot and the Constitution Free Zone under Northcom ... Read up on the Halliburton /FEMA detention camps, Operation Garden Plot and the Constitution Free Zone under Northcom ... People that will not give up their guns will be sent to the RED and BLUE lines in the Halliburton/FEMA centers. (The Drudge Report)
FEMA address air-quality issues in mobile homes it issued to flood victims Nov 13, 2008
Bruce Braley requested in a letter that FEMA produce the original test results for each trailer in question and renewed a call that FEMA, or a reputable independent lab, retest these trailers to determine whether they are safe to live in. "FEMA has a pattern of health and safety problems with the trailers they issue, from unsafe levels of formaldehyde in previous disasters, to large amounts of mold found in some Iowa trailers, and now to reports of dangerous formaldehyde in even more Iowa... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Board delights in new flood plain maps Nov 13, 2008
The maps, which have been approved by the state Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will become official after a 90-day review period (March 26, 2009), according to Erik Evenson, of Menomonie s Cedar Corporation, the firm that assisted the village in securing the new maps. When the new maps are compared with the old maps, Evenson said, a lot of houses were taken out of the flood plain. (Menomonie Dunn County News, WI)
4 Investigates: Time well spent, recovery director's schedule Nov 13, 2008
He s talking to architects, engineers, planners, FEMA officials ... Blakely did seem to meet regularly with FEMA officials, and had countless appointments on the proposed LSU/VA hospital. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Man Sentenced In FEMA Trailer Refurbish Scheme Nov 13, 2008
HOUSTON -- A man who advertised a bogus investment plan to buy and refurbish FEMA trailers used after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is going to prison. A federal judge in Houston on Wednesday sentenced Christopher Brian McPherson to five years in prison. (Click2Houston, TX)
Preparing for the worst Nov 13, 2008
FEMA advises to keep emergency kits in designated places at home and the workplace. FEMA also advises to keep an emergency kit in the car. (The Daily Universe, UT)
Hundreds may be homeless in Galveston with FEMA vouchers ending Nov 12, 2008
Although FEMA officials could not say how many people no longer qualified for assistance, hotel owner Jana Wyatt estimated it would be several hundred ... Hanley s staff members spend most of their time now taking calls from people who don t know where to go for help, once FEMA has turned them down. (KHOU.com, TX)
Regents meet on UTMB personnel matters Nov 12, 2008
FEMA is expected to reimburse the medical branch part of that cost, if not all, within a year. This story is available through KHOU, Ch. (KHOU.com, TX)
Editor's Mailbag (Nov. 6) Nov 11, 2008
"FEMA generally takes a while to get anywhere. And, appearantly, so does Mayor "School Bus" Nagin and Governor Blanco. ". Barefoot wrote on Nov 10, 2008 4:40 PM:" >> FEMA generally takes a while to get anywhere.Hurricanes are not tornadoes, and New Orleans had about five days notice. ". (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Texas House panel studies response to hurricane Nov 11, 2008
In many cases, FEMA is denying people aid despite extensive damage to their houses, or taking too long to determine if a resident is eligible for aid, said Jackson Lee, who will be holding separate hearings on the issue. "It's not acceptable," Jackson Lee told the committee. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Might be a busy first 100 days... Nov 10, 2008
An administration that hired the most incompetent personnel to run some our of most important and sensitive cabinets positions (FEMA, Defense, Justice to name a few). And worst of all, an administration that has allowed the real culprit of 9/11 to stay on the loose and taunt us when ever the feeling strikes him. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Wanblee bouncing back from blizzard Nov 10, 2008
Pastor Gus Craven has also helped organized relief efforts and was frustrated by the lack of help - mainly that no organization - tribal, FEMA, Red Cross -- had yet set up an emergency command station to help people. Red Bird said they should have been able to rely on John Steele, the tribe's current president. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Disaster aid nears $39 million Nov 8, 2008
FEMA officials approved 3 ... In DeKalb County, 107 households were approved for aid, at a total of 335,671, according to FEMA.. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
FEMA Defends Decision To Not Use Vacant Trailers Nov 8, 2008
HOUSTON -- Local 2 Investigates showed how FEMA has tens of thousands of vacant travel trailers sitting unused. FEMA's top man defended the agency's decision not to use these trailers for victims of Hurricane Ike during a meeting with elected leaders on Friday ... FEMA Administrator David Paulison told Local 2 Investigates the agency would not use these trailers for victims of Hurricane Ike because of health concerns regarding the preservative formaldehyde. (Click2Houston, TX)
Letters from readers Nov 8, 2008
In doing so, it will have to endure a bit of a tax burden for a while I'm sure; but, it must stop relying on other countries for credit to support the budget - to finance our military, FEMA, infrastructure repair and other federally supported agencies and programs. We have recently experienced this method of credit involving foreign assistance; and, it has sunk us into such a tremendous debt, that it's very likely if we don't take charge of our finances soon, we will have to pass it on to our... (Florida Times-Union)
Names surface for posts Nov 8, 2008
James Lee Witt, former FEMA director. Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
And the winner is..... Nov 7, 2008
Bush threw out the baby with the bath water by relegating FEMA to second fiddle. He never understood that being president is hard work, not photo ops. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Frustrated Ike victims, mayor fed up with FEMA red tape Nov 7, 2008
He complained that most residents who applied for FEMA aid have yet to see a dime ... Many residents are still waiting for FEMA funds to help pay for repairs ... I would like FEMA and the government to do what my taxes have paid for, for years," Humphrey said. "If they can bail out the banks, they can help people. (KHOU.com, TX)
Capitalism and the Financial Crisis Nov 6, 2008
" You can decide whether we have in an unregulated laissez-faire economy. There are 15 cabinet departments, nine of which control various aspects of the U.S. economy. They are the Departments of: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Labor, Agriculture, Commerce, and Interior. In addition, there is the alphabet soup cluster of federal agencies such as: the IRS, the FRB and FDIC, the EPA, FDA, SEC, CFTC, NLRB, FTC, FCC, FERC, FEMA, FAA, CAA,... (Townhall.com)
LETTERS: NCT, Nov. 5, 2008 Nov 6, 2008
". I have told them and I am telling you now, the banner says "God bless our Troops and our President" and will remain that way regardless of who the President is until the troops come home.Clear enough? Get off your kick that any and all Conservatives are the enemy. By doing so you showcase your bigotry.Peace and Congrats Ms. M Equality wrote on Nov 5, 2008 4:08 PM:SOLUTION TO MARRIAGE ARGUMENT - get all 50 states to pass domestic partnership laws giving gay couples equivalent rights as a... (North County Times)
FEMA: La. storm victims can still apply for aid Nov 6, 2008
FEMA says registration deadlines were extended at the state's request to Dec. 3 for Gustav victims and Dec. 11 for Ike victims. FEMA says eligible applicants could get such help as temporary rental assistance or grants or loans to fix up or replace damaged property and belongings ... FEMA says 20 parishes have been designated federal disasters for Ike and 53 for Gustav. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Ike and Gustav's homeless out of answers Nov 6, 2008
The FEMA funds are spent ... The next step is for LRA to make that request to FEMA. Families must qualify under FEMA guidelines. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Senior Subjects: Looking for changes Nov 5, 2008
The Mail s Foreign Service Edition said that BPA mimics the female sex hormone estrogen and has been linked to birth defects in boys, heart disease in adults, and lower sperm counts and breast cancer in animals ... Isn t the whole point of the argument that we don t want a self- study from the bottle industry, from the banking industry, from Pharma or from FEMA. (Lincoln Journal, MA)
County adopts Hazard Mitigation Plan Nov 5, 2008
He said the delays were in part due to FEMA s lack of personnel and that Grand Gateway had a sharp learning curve when taking on the plans. According to FEMA, a Hazard Mitigation Plan is a process for states and communities to identify policies, activities and tools to implement mitigation actions. (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
Peter Monroe, Former President of the RTC Oversight Board, Endorses Senator Obama Nov 4, 2008
Florida, Texas, California, Louisiana and other states affected by natural disasters cannot afford to have a President that, when asked whether we should have a federal catastrophe insurance program, responded with the notion that we 'already have disaster insurance, we have FEMA.' Tell that to the Katrina victims whose houses were replaced with temporary, toxic mobile homes," he emphasized. Mr. Monroe stressed, "As President Clinton recently said to Floridians, we need to have a President who... (PR Newswire)
No open MRI for Memorial Medical Center Nov 4, 2008
Pfeifer said he had talked with FEMA officials who indicated costs for gasoline, room and board and overtime might be paid by FEMA. Because the county government also incurred expenses, Pfeifer said We ll do it as the county and reimburse you-all. Financial Officer Rhett Fricke reported a decrease to net assets of $244,381 for September, but that there is an increase to net assets for the year to date of $400,482. (Port Lavaca Wave, TX)
FEMA official admits slow response after Ike Nov 2, 2008
Deputy FEMA Administrator Harvey E. Johnson Jr. says he intends to improve the help the agency provides to Texans left damaged and homeless by the mid-September hurricane ... He s invited energy company officials into FEMA s Texas field offices to help provide electric power to mobile homes housing storm victims. (KHOU.com, TX)
Emergency Medical Services revenue up Nov 1, 2008
Emergency Medical Services boosted by FEMA contract - Denver Business Journal ... Emergency Medical Services boosted by FEMA contract ... Sanger noted that EMS completed its largest deployment in U.S. history for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike under a national FEMA contract. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
First responders train for disasters Nov 1, 2008
This means buy a tarp and lay in a supply of food and water and dont wait for FEMA to bring the emergency supplies, Honore said. Get businesses involved in emergency plans, especially those with trucks to haul supplies and backhoes that can open roads. (Nogales International, AZ)
Drew Industries Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results Oct 31, 2008
"On a bright note, the Company recently received an order to supply certain components for more than 2,500 park model homes being purchased by FEMA. This should result in incremental sales in excess of $5 million through early 2009. "Manufactured homes also continue to be the best solution for the nation's need for affordable housing, especially as many families adjust their lifestyles to match their current economic situation ... " Conference Call Drew will provide an online, real-time webcast... (PR Newswire)
Old cruise ship may be possible Ike shelter Oct 31, 2008
However, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in Austin said they had not received any formal request for funds linked to the ship and claimed a state agency did not follow protocol by sending a letter to Harvey Johnson, FEMA s deputy administrator and chief operating officer. Simon Chabel, a spokesman in FEMA s joint field office in Austin, said such a request must go through the state s department of emergency management and be made on a specific form ... We were identifying an... (KHOU.com, TX)
Galveston rents spike as housing dwindles Oct 31, 2008
Of the more than 100 units listed on the database, fewer than half were cheap enough for a tenant paying only with the FEMA rental reimbursement, which was recently increased to accommodate rising rent costs ... FEMA plans to review cases every two weeks to move residents into homes, said Barb Sturner, FEMA spokeswoman ... Two different FEMA programs the rental assistance program and the Disaster Housing Assistance program help displaced residents pay rent. (KHOU.com, TX)
4 Investigates: Who pays for where SDT dumps its trash? Oct 31, 2008
Also, although FEMA has cut back on its debris pickup, up until August, it was still being done in St. Bernard. It certainly supports the belief or at least the potential that there's more than St. Bernard parish being hauled, Taffaro said, and St. Bernard was probably paying for debris that wasn't St. Bernard-generated. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Jindal promises to build 3241 Oct 30, 2008
Jindal said he is trying to get FEMA to approve the use of hazard mitigation funds for such uses. Weve gotten it approved for generators, now were trying to enable use for communications as well, he said. (Bogalusa Daily News, LA)
Bradley: Hawks for real Oct 30, 2008
The one ESPN.com called a FEMA disaster zone. Maybe it s not so crummy. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
County OKs temporary FEMA housing in floodplain Oct 30, 2008
Doyle said if FEMA fails to remove the one- and three-bedroom houses by the May 31, 2010, deadline, then it would be easier for the county to do the job if the houses were on county property ... David Parks, a FEMA representative present at Wednesday s meeting in League City, said the agency looked at three sites on the peninsula for community housing ... Community housing, which is FEMA s definition of a trailer park, would house many families in one location. (KHOU.com, TX)
CNN rejected Obama ad; FOXNEWS not asked... Oct 29, 2008
You can keep your red states and your blood oil, because if McPAIN wins the next stage will be to put Americans into Fema concentration camps ... Posted by: No Fema Concentration Camps ... But because his campaign staffers are stabbing each other in the back, his female robot running mate can't talk to the media without him holding her hand, and he is a Bush lookalike, he is losing. (The Drudge Report)
Attorneys seek class action in FEMA trailers suit Oct 29, 2008
Thousands of people lived in FEMA trailers after the 2005 storms. Government tests on hundreds of occupied FEMA trailers found elevated levels of formaldehyde, a preservative commonly found in building materials that can cause breathing problems and is classified as a carcinogen ... The plaintiffs accuse trailer makers of using shoddy materials and methods to build tens of thousands of trailers and meet FEMA's unprecedented demand for emergency housing after the 2005 hurricanes. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Relationships and politics. Oct 28, 2008
The vast majority of unemployed people I know are single black females ... The vast majority of unemployed people I know are single black females ... As for my black friends, I only know two who are out of work, one female one male. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Chilly temperatures have Ike workers bundling up to keep warm Oct 28, 2008
They had been working as roofers with FEMA. But now those familiar blue tarps used for hurricane victims are now doubling as insulation for hurricane workers ... Russell Sullenberger's tent blew down, so his camping neighbor fashioned an insulating wind wall out of FEMA blue tarp. (KHOU.com, TX)
The dispute over a new hospital in New Orleans Oct 27, 2008
Adding to the rub: FEMA says the state didn't do enough to secure the building against further deterioration after the hurricane, a claim LSU disputes. Once a deal with FEMA is reached on its share, much of the remaining money to build a new hospital would come from a bond issue. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Squabbles put the hurt on plan to replace hospital Oct 27, 2008
However, FEMA estimated damage at $23 million after the storm and says the state did not take adequate measures to ensure against further decay as the structure remained vacant ... FEMA may increase its payment, said Jim Stark, the agency's assistant administrator for Gulf Coast recovery ... However, he doesn't expect FEMA's dollar contribution to approach the state's request. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Bradley's Buzz: It's a celebration! Oct 27, 2008
John Hollinger, who lives in Atlanta, picks them to finish 13th, claiming the bench is a FEMA disaster zone without you-know-who. For an even more revealing assessment, check out as parlayed by Ian Thomsen of SI.com. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
