Fifth Extension Approved for Transitional Sheltering Assistance

At the state’s request, FEMA has approved a fifth extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program. TSA pays for eligible floodevacuees to stay in participatinghotels and motels. 

Individuals and families whoare still  being  assessed regarding their  housing  needs  may continue to be eligible for TSA through Dec. 14 (checkout Dec. 15). The previous checkout date was Dec. 1.

 ·    TSA allows eligible individualsand families to stay temporarily inparticipating hotels, with FEMA andthe statepaying foreligibleroom costsand taxes.

 ·    A personal phone callnotifies applicants ifthey are eligible for thisperiod of assistanceending Dec. 14.

 ·    A total of 23 households stayed in hotels and motels last night underTSA.

Individuals and families who are not eligible for the program may be considered  for additional FEMA rental assistance.

 ·    Applicants may need to providerental agreement information.

 

For questions, contact the FEMAhelpline by phone, 800-621-3362, from5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days aweek.  Multilingual phone operatorsare available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish andOption 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY)800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call

800-621-3362.

 

 

 

DHSEM Update: November 26

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update

This update includes information on:

• Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) Awards
• Waste Tire Fire Prevention Fund Grant for Fire Agencies
• Safety and Security Plans for Class 3 Hazardous Materials Transported by Rail
• Comment Period Open until December 2 for Recovery Policy and Donated Resources
• FEMA and Parnters Release Post Disaster Reunification of Children Framework
• Continuity Guidance Circular 2 Revision
• FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Period Closes December 6
• Kudos and Congratulations
• Mike Gavin, City of Fort Collins Emergency Manager
• Letter of Gratitude from the Boulder County Commissioners for Flood Assistance
• Job, Internship and Volunteer Announcement
• Educational Resources 
• Wireless Emergency Alerts Save Lives in Disasters
•  Be Red Cross Ready
• After Action Reports:  Why We Do Them
• Emergency Management & Planning Degree and Certificate Programs
• Flood Information and Updates
• Northern Colorado Flood Recovery Assistance and Resource Fair on December 16
• Colorado Community Recovery Symposium Resources
• Crisis Counseling Program Locations
• Training Information
• FEMA Training Opportunities
• Wildfire Academy Course: L952/S403 All-Hazards PIO Course
• Training Announcement from the Office of Preparedness

Gov. Hickenlooper, CDOT celebrate final highway opening following September floods

Gov. John Hickenlooper today joined the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to reopen State Highway (SH) 7 between Raymond and Lyons. The highway is the last of 27 highways damaged or destroyed by the September floods to reopen.

“This is an extraordinary day for Colorado as we celebrate the completion of all temporary repairs on our state highway system ahead of schedule,” Hickenlooper said. “CDOT, its contractors and local partners should all be proud of this tremendous accomplishment that repaired roads and reconnected communities.”

To complete the temporary repairs along SH 7, 60 pieces of equipment were utilized to help crews move approximately 171,000 cubic yards of reclaimed onsite materials, which would fill 17,000 single dump trucks; to replace or repair 27 culverts totaling nearly 1,300 linear feet, which is equal in length to nearly 4.3 football fields; to place approximately 27,000 tons of aggregate road base and 14,600 tons of asphalt; and to install 9,312 linear feet of concrete barrier for the safety of the traveling public.

While SH 7 is now open to all traffic, it is important for motorists to remember that the repairs are temporary and the speed limit has been reduced in areas. The permanent repairs will begin in spring 2014.

# # #

About ColoradoUnited

Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed Jerre Stead, executive chairman of Englewood-based IHS Inc., to be the state’s Chief Recovery Officer. The Recovery Team is focused on making Colorado more innovative, safer and resilient in its infrastructure, community and environment. Go to www.ColoradoUnited.com for more information.

Job Announcement: Office of Preparedness Training Specialist

The Office of Preparedness is seeking a training specialist. The position closes on December 6, 2013 at 5 p.m. The position announcement and application information are posted on the state employment website.

Position Duties Include:

• Provides rural training support through local capacity building, effective education, outreach and gap analyses specific to rural areas, evaluating efficiency and effectiveness in rural areas, review of course content for accuracy as well as relevancy, creating resources and educational tools to support training & exercise planning workshops as necessary in rural areas; conduct training needs assessments, schedule courses, advertise courses, manage applications and the enrollment process, coordinate instructors, instruction materials, and provide facility and lodging logistics to ensure a positive learning experience and repeat attendance of both state and federal training programs.

• Develops effective marketing strategies as well as the development of state, local, federal, and tribal partnerships.

• Works with the Training and Exercise Section to develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance customer service and service delivery to state and local government. Advises Training and Exercise Team in integration of EMI with NDPC and other all-hazards and Homeland Security training and exercise objectives. Develops cost-effective strategies to draw necessary training to rural areas; represent rural interests in development of online and distance learning strategies; ensures course delivery and logistics align with rural needs.

• Provides guidance to the Southwest, San Luis Valley and West All-Hazards Regions by conducting training gap analyses as necessary to enhance service delivery and enhance local and state capabilities to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond and recover from an all-hazards incident. In cooperation with the all-hazards regions and state agencies, identifies gaps in training following exercises or actual events and recommend corrective action to close the gaps. Assists in annual state training and exercise planning workshop (TEPW). Integrates technology where appropriate to enhance learning and promote greater access to state training. Facilitate the registration process of state-sponsored course deliveries using the CO-Train portal. Coordinates delivery and record-keeping of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training courses delivered to state and local government to ensure NIMS compliance. Provides guidance in the development of a system for assessing instructor performance.

• Serves as the DHSEM Point of Contact with the Incident Management Teams that operate out of Colorado and the State and Regional Wildland Fire/Incident Management Academies; ensures alignment of information as it impacts cross-agency training and exercises.

• Assists state incident management teams in coordinating team exercises, when requested. Identifies and promotes shadowing opportunities for incident management team personnel in need of incident experience.

• When requested develops position-specific training plans for IMT personnel; coordinate out of state travel for IMT personnel in Colorado; coordinate delivery of IMT conferences or workshops; provide IMT support during activation to better discern team needs and gaps; assist IMT's with after action reviews and development of corrective action plans using HSEEP criteria;

• Develops and administers the Division personal training plan program.

• Responds as needed during times of National, State, Regional or locally declared emergencies where a request has been received by the DHSEM to provide disaster response services.

• This position may be required to report to the State Emergency Operations Center or another state or local jurisdiction to respond to local jurisdictions’ requests for resources and disaster-related support.

FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan deadline is one week away

Colorado residents and business owners with damage from September’s severe weather have only one week left to register for help from FEMA. There is also only one week left to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The deadline for both is Dec. 2, 2013,for those with physical losses. 

Filling out the SBA loan application is an important step toward recovery. No one has to accept a disaster loan, but completing and returning the application may open the door to other forms of assistance, such as additional FEMA grants. 

Small businesses and most private nonprofits without physical losses have until June 16, 2014 to apply for Economic Injury Loans only.

You can register with FEMA and have questions answered by calling the Helpline - 800-621-3362 - from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type    m.fema.gov in the browser.

You also can also have FEMA and SBA questions answered by a specialist at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Disaster Recovery Center in Larimer County Will Close

The Loveland Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Larimer County will permanently close at 3 p.m., MST, on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

LARIMER COUNTY 

Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology

815 14th St. SW.

Loveland, CO 80537

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMAbefore going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

 

Disaster Recovery Centers will be Closed on Thanksgiving Day

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will close at 3 p.m., MST, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.

All five DRCs - Boulder, Estes Park, Evans, Longmont and Lyons - will reopen at 9 a.m., MST, on Friday, Nov. 29.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Survivors with losses from the September storms and flooding will save time by registering for help from FEMA beforegoing to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

 

Colorado Community Recovery Symposium Agenda #CORecovery

Colorado

Community Recovery Symposium:

November 22, 2013

Embassy Suites Loveland Conference Center

4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, Colorado, 80538

~ Symposium Objectives ~

                                                                                                              

§  Assist local government officials in understanding the process of post-disaster long term recovery planning for community and economic recovery.

§  Learn from other local long-term recovery efforts.

§  Facilitate a discussion on stream recovery issues that enables participants to develop a strategic approach to these decisions.

§  Define future training and technical assistance needs.

~ AGENDA ~

8:30-9:00         Registration

9:00-9:30         Welcome and Introductions

·        Chantal Unfug, Colorado Department of Local Affairs

·        Jerre Stead, Colorado Recovery Office

9:30-10:15       “We Lived It”: Presentations from community leaders that have firsthand experience in navigating long-term disaster recovery

·        Jane Cage, Volunteer Chairman of the Joplin Citizens Advisory Recovery Team (CART)

·        Kelly Arnold, Town Manager of Windsor, CO

·        Rebecca Ellis, Vermont State representative and chair of the Waterbury Select Board

·        Bob Dixson, Mayor of Greensburg, KS

10:15-10:30     Networking Activity

10:30-10:45     **Break**

10:45-11:30     Peer Panel Discussion and Q&A

11:30-12:00     Vision for Recovery: Planning & Tools

·        Iain Hyde, Colorado Office of Emergency Management

·        Tim Gelston, FEMA Community Planning and Capacity Building

12:00-1:15       Lunch & State of Recovery Update

·        Marilyn Gally, Iain Hyde, Colorado Office of Emergency Management

·        Dan Alexander, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator

1:15-1:30         **Break**

1:30-3:00         Stream Recovery Forum

·        River Science and Master Planning

o   Tom Browning, Colorado Water Conservation Board

o   Chris Sturm, Colorado Water Conservation Board

·        Collaborative Planning & Partnerships

o   Jeff Cage, Crane Associates, LLC

·        Implementing a Stream Recovery Strategy

o   Iain Hyde, Office of Emergency Management

o   Chris Sturm, Colorado Water Conservation Board

·        Stream Recovery Panel Discussion and Q & A

3:00-3:15         Conclusion

·        Iain Hyde, Office of Emergency Management

3:15-4:30         Open House: Learn about resources from agencies and organizations and ask community-specific questions of subject matter experts

The hosts of this event would like to thank the Embassy Suites—Loveland Conference Center, as well as Revolution Advisors and Steer Davies Gleave for their donation of event space and refreshments.

Morgan County Disaster Recovery Center Will Close

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Brush, Morgan County, will close at 3 p.m. MST on Saturday, Nov. 23.

MORGAN COUNTY
Morgan County Fairgrounds
750 Ellsworth St.
Brush, CO 80723

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

Gov. Hickenlooper announces all damaged highways will reopen before Thanksgiving

With this week’s opening of U.S. 34 and next week’s planned opening of State Highway 7, all highways damaged by the September flooding will reopen days ahead of the Dec. 1 goal.

“The united effort of the Colorado Department of Transportation and its road repair partners has been remarkable,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said. “After the flooding, we faced the daunting task of restoring 485 miles of damaged or destroyed highways. CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, the National Guard and local governments have worked round the clock to reconnect Colorado communities.”

SH 7 between Lyons and Allenspark will reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. This will be the last of the 27 highways damaged or destroyed to reopen.

Even as roadways open, workers from Office of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies continue to collaborate to address the needs of Coloradans impacted by the flooding. Specifically:

Of the 18,000 people forced to leave their homes due to the flooding, 24 families remain in temporary housing while more permanent solutions can be found.

As of Nov. 18, FEMA had approved $54.4 million in Individual Assistance—helping more than 15,600 Coloradans impacted by the flooding. Individual Assistance provides grants for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs. People eligible for assistance need to submit applications before the Dec. 2 deadline via www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

As of Nov. 18, the FEMA Public Assistance program had committed $16.7 million for flood recovery projects such as debris removal, emergency protective measures and repair of public-owned infrastructure in the 20 counties eligible for Public Assistance. Deadline for applications is Nov. 30.

As of Nov. 18, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had approved $71.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to 1,491 homeowners and 198 businesses. SBA loans are available for businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations that have experienced physical or economic injury due to the flooding. Deadline for applications is Dec. 2.

National Flood Insurance payments of $43.5 million have been provided to more than 1,500 claims.

More than 3,000 flood survivors have received counseling services and another 24,000 have received crisis support information through eight Community Mental Health Centers that received a Crisis Counseling Program Grant to provide group and individual crisis counseling to people impacted by the flood.

SBA Announces Revisions to Locations and Service Hours for Colorado Disaster Offices

Matt Varilek, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), today announced revisions to locations and hours of service at its Colorado disaster offices.

SBA customer service representatives and counselors from the Colorado Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) will continue to provide one-on-one service to residents and businesses affected by the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred from September 11 – 30, 2013.

Residents and business owners can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Aurora Central Library - Community Room
14949 East Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closes Saturday, November 23 at 1 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives and SBDC counselors will continue to be available at the following locations to meet one on-one with residents and business owners to explain how SBA’s disaster loan program can help them with their recovery, explain the application process, help each applicant apply online and close their approved disaster loans.

Business Recovery Center

LARIMER COUNTY

Business Recovery Center
The Stanley Hotel
333 East Wonderview Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
(use the Steamer Cafe entrance on the East-side, lower level)
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Centers

BOULDER COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Premier Members Federal Credit Union
5495 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

BOULDER COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Twin Peaks Mall
1250 South Hover Road
Longmont, CO 80501
(use parking-lot entrance near Guaranty Bank)
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

BOULDER COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Foothills Baptist Church
12650 North Foothills Highway
Lyons, CO 80540
Opens Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m.
Mondays & Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursdays & Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23 only, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

LARIMER COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Rocky Mountain Park Inn
Conference Center
101 South St. Vrain Ave. Ballroom D
Estes Park, CO 80517
(use the north parking-lot entrance)
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

LARIMER COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Rocky Mountain Integration &
Technology Center
815 14th Street SW
Loveland, CO 80537
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

MORGAN COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Morgan County Fairgrounds
750 Ellsworth Street
Brush, CO 80723
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WELD COUNTY

Disaster Recovery Center
Village Centre at the Landings
3613 23rd Avenue
Evans, CO 80620
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“SBA’s low-interest, Federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace their property damaged or destroyed by the disaster. So far, SBA has approved over $59 million in disaster loans to residents and nearly $12.1 million for businesses,” Varilek said.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.937 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call(800) 877-8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.