FEMA
FEMA acting administrator David Richardson defended the agency’s response, denying claims of delays and calling the federal-state coordination a model for disaster response
A proposed federal budget would eliminate funding for over half of FEMA’s emergency and homeland security grant programs, for training, equipment and readiness efforts
Pennsylvania’s emergency director urged FEMA to reconsider policy changes that could raise aid thresholds and cost shares, risking future disaster relief for the state
The $8.6 million grant will pay the firefighters’ salaries for two years and delay a hard budget decision
The funds will support equipment acquisition, training, and staffing
The department will hire six 24-hour shift firefighters
The funds will go toward a new vehicle and equipment
The 16 departments will use the funds to buy new equipment and train their firefighters
Departments can register and post their volunteer opportunities; it also includes customizable ads and materials used to reach recruits
The department’s two thermal imaging cameras are about 15 years old and need to be replaced
The Yonkers City Fire Department and the Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps received funding through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program
The fire departments received a $189,050 FEMA grant and each company matched a $5,000 pledge to the project
If adopted, the cuts will impact fire grant programs and the United States Fire Administration
Chief Paul Perrotti, 47, is accused of using fire department money to pay for unauthorized personal expenses
The council voted unanimously to fund the positions until June 30 to allow time for the city to apply again for the FEMA grant
The grant money will buy an SCBA fill station, hoses, thermal imagers and flashlights
The new hydrants were created by retired firefighter George Sigelakis, who said he grew frustrated with hydrants that wouldn’t open or that didn’t have enough water pressure
Unlike other fire department hires, the applicants didn’t have to take a written exam or be physically certified before sitting down for interviews
Sandra Schiess, the first female fire chief in the Kansas City area, is leaving to become the federal disaster recovery coordinator for FEMA
