Emergency Aid Ordered for R.I. Storm Response

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster funds have been made available for Rhode Island to supplement emergency response efforts for the record snowfall that blanketed the state last month.

Michael Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the assistance was authorized under an emergency declaration issued by President Bush after a review of the agency’s analysis of the state’s request for federal relief. The declaration covers jurisdictions with record snowfall that occurred over the period of Jan. 22-23.

Following the President’s action, Brown designated the state’s five counties eligible for federal funding to pay part of the cost for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the snowstorm.

Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will reimburse state and local government agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs of equipment, contracts, and personnel overtime related to emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 72 -hour period. These are the crucial hours when work crews clear snow from emergency routes and roads to critical facilities to permit the passage of emergency vehicles. Related emergency measures such as sanding and salting will also be eligible for reimbursement.

Brown named James Russo of FEMA to coordinate the federal assistance in the affected areas.