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| Wilson Says FEMA will Begin Trigo Assessment on Tuesday |
May 05, 2008 |
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Albuquerque, N.M. – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials told Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s office today that a preliminary damage assessment will begin in New Mexico on Tuesday in the areas affected by the Trigo Fire.
Wilson wrote to FEMA Administrator David Paulison following a visit last Friday to the firefighters’ base camp in Mountainair. She urged Paulison to ensure a quick response to any requests for help from the State of New Mexico.
Wilson wrote in her letter to Paulison, “I ask that FEMA provide a rapid response if New Mexico requests additional assistance based upon the increase of the fire size and property damage.”
A preliminary damage assessment team is usually comprised of personnel from FEMA, the State's emergency management agency, county and local officials and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The team's work begins with reviewing the types of damage or emergency costs incurred by the units of government, and the impact to critical facilities, such as public utilities, hospitals, schools, and fire and police departments. They will also look at the effect on individuals and businesses, including the number damaged, the number of people displaced, and the threat to health and safety caused by the event. Additional data from the Red Cross or other local voluntary agencies may also be reviewed.
During the assessment the team will collect estimates of the expenses and damages.
This information can then be used by the Governor to support a federal declaration request, which must show that the cost of response efforts, such as emergency personnel overtime, other emergency services, and damage to citizens, is beyond state and local recovery capabilities. The information gathered during the assessment will help the Governor certify that the damage exceeds state and local resources.
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