(EMAILWIRE.COM, June 27, 2008 ) OAKLAND, Ca. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has committed $1,312,744 to assist the California Highway Patrol (CHP) with costs related to its response to the Southern California wild land fires in October 2007.

The California Highway Patrol dispatched a contingency of resources to all of the affected areas and maintained a presence there until the incidents were controlled. During the fire siege, the CHP conducted such emergency activities as control of ingress and egress, assistance with evacuations, traffic control, patrol of evacuated areas, and the dissemination of emergency information. The CHP also staffed their emergency operations center on a 24-hour basis during the incident.

Total dollars committed to this grant equal $1,750,325. FEMA provides 75 percent of the total under its Public Assistance Grant program. Of the remaining costs, the state of California will cover 18.75 percent with the CHP responsible for the balance.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursements to state and local government agencies and certain non-profits for eligible disaster-related expenses associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. Debris removal includes sample testing for hazardous debris, hazardous ash and tree removal and monitoring of debris loading, hauling and disposal.

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FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Contact Information:
Homeland Security
Kelly Hudson
Tel: (510) 627-7006
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