SPARCS: Suppression and Planning Actions for Restoring Communities and Species in the Southern California Ecoregion
Title: SPARCS: Suppression and Planning Actions for Restoring Communities and Species in the Southern California Ecoregion Date: February 14, 2025, at 2:00-2:30 pm Eastern/11:00 -11:30 am Pacific Speaker: Austin Parker, Biologist, USGS Western Ecological Science Center USGS Western Ecological Science Center biologists in Southern California can be found actively working the frontlines of wildfires as part of the SPARCS (Suppression & Planning Actions for Restoring Communities & Species) program. SPARCS creates proactive solutions by connecting local ecological and cultural resource experts with fire managers to identify concerns for active wildfire management in the Southern California ecoregion. With the increased risk
Food 4 Less/Foods Co. and Ralphs Team Up with County of Los Angeles, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration to Support Communities & Businesses Impacted by Wildfires
Food 4 Less/Foods Co. and Ralphs Team Up with County of Los Angeles, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration to Support Communities & Businesses Impacted by Wildfires Los Angeles, CA – Food 4 Less/Foods Co. and Ralphs Grocery Company are continuing their support for local communities impacted by wildfires through a new partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and County of Los Angeles. The partnership was developed to provide critical recovery resources for businesses, employees, and residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Resource stations will be set up at Ralphs and
Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA invest $15 million to help protect Western U.S. communities from wildfire
The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced today that approximately $15 million has been provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to construct and deploy a new suite of fire weather observing systems in high-risk locations in the Western United States to support wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring. The investments support four distinct but related components of a regional fire weather observing system that relies on different technologies and approaches with the goal of improving wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring from the regional to local scales. “Catastrophic wildfires threaten the lives and livelihoods of many communities across the country, which is
FEMA Announces 38 Communities Selected to Receive Technical Assistance for Exercises
FEMA Announces 38 Communities Selected to Receive Technical Assistance for Exercises WASHINGTON – Today, FEMA announced it will support 43 preparedness exercises across 38 state, local, tribal, and territorial governments through the National Exercise Program. Exercises play a vital role in building capacity in emergency preparedness and this support is provided at no-cost to the communities. Exercise experts from FEMA will work closely with each selected jurisdiction to design, conduct and evaluate their approved exercises. Each year, FEMA accepts requests for exercise support from state, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions. A well-designed exercise provides a low-risk environment to familiarize personnel with
FEMA Funding for Non-Profit Organizations Supports Disadvantaged Communities
FEMA Funding for Non-Profit Organizations Supports Disadvantaged Communities Guaynabo, PUERTO RICO ― The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded nearly $438,000 to three nonprofit organizations dedicated to revitalizing communities and supporting people in socially disadvantaged situations. These funds were aimed at restoring infrastructure at these organizations, damaged as a result of Hurricane María. “These restorations represent a lifeline for those who rely on these services. The obligation of funds helps restore facilities that provide key support for the emotional and economic development of these families,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero. On one hand, FEMA awarded nearly $228,000 to
FEMA Announces $25 Million to Help New York and Puerto Rico Communities Address Impacts from Growing Flooding Threats
FEMA Announces $25 Million to Help New York and Puerto Rico Communities Address Impacts from Growing Flooding Threats NEW YORK - As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce flooding impacts, FEMA announced that New York is eligible for up to $20 million and Puerto Rico is eligible for $5 million in funding to reduce flood risks. The funding is available through the Fiscal Year 2024 Swift Current funding opportunity , totaling $300 million, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Swift Current, a Flood Mitigation Assistance initiative, allows FEMA to expedite funding to help communities build resilience against future flooding events,” said
Over $10.8 Million in FEMA Funds Revitalize Potable Water Systems in Rural Communities
Over $10.8 Million in FEMA Funds Revitalize Potable Water Systems in Rural Communities One of the projects considers the construction of a potable water distribution network and meters in the Villa Esperanza community of Toa Alta. Villa Esperanza is a vulnerable community that was severely damaged by Hurricane María. “The needs for essential services vary in all communities and our commitment is to contribute to a reconstruction that addresses them. In the case of Villa Esperanza, the agency allocated funds for a renovated stormwater system that will help improve the quality of life and health of its residents,” said Federal
FEMA Releases over $83 million to Help Vermont Communities Rebuild
FEMA Releases over $83 million to Help Vermont Communities Rebuild FEMA has provided the state of Vermont with $83,600,591 in Public Assistance funding to help communities rebuild after the devastating storms and flooding that occurred in July 2023. FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses the state and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, for debris removal, emergency protective measures and restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities. Of the total Public Assistance funding obligated so far, $40,311,699 was allotted for debris removal and emergency work, which includes efforts to save lives and protect property, such as overtime for first responders, distribution of food and water