I refuse to accept FEMAs response.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Late Tuesday Craig Fugate Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied Governor Rick Perrys request for a Major Disaster Declaration to assist Texas with resources for the ongoing wild fire destruction devastating the state. In response Congressman Mike Conaway (Texas-11) and other members of the Texas Congressional Delegation immediately contacted FEMA representatives requesting specific information & answers regarding the rejection.
I am deeply troubled FEMA has denied the Governors request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration said Congressman Conaway. Over the last several months wild fires have wreaked havoc across our state burning more than 2.2 million acres an area roughly the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined."
Since November 2010 Texas has responded to more than 9000 fires with damages to more than 400 homes across the state. In Response FEMA has only provided assistance for 22 of those fires 0.24 percent through their Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) program. According to the Governors office the FMAGs only covered 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of the 22 fires."
Our state and local fire fighters and first responders have done a tremendous job responding to the wild fires; however the cost of resources necessary to assist their efforts have driven state and local budgets to unsustainable levels. The Governors office has reported that some counties have been forced to spend nearly an entire decades worth of reserves to sustain their efforts. Without federal assistance these communities will suffer immense challenges and obstacles as they attempt to rebuild and recover from this disaster.
I refuse to accept FEMAs response and have joined my colleagues in the Texas Congressional delegation in asking FEMA:
- What was the threshold for Direct Federal Assistance and why did Texas not meet that threshold?
- What was the per capita threshold for Public Assistance Category B and why was that not met?
- What specific information would need to be received by FEMA in the event of an appeal in order to reach a different outcome?"
