The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
FEMA Defends Ending Texas Wildfire Assistance
AUSTIN, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency defended its decision to refuse more assistance for Texas in the wake of devastating wildfires, saying Wednesday that the state has already received sufficient U.S. government help.
Late Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry criticized the White House after learning that his April 16 request for a federal major disaster declaration and additional help had been rejected. Wildfires since November have blackened at least 2.2 million acres and damaged or destroyed more than 400 homes across the state, the governor said.
The federal government has already provided Texas with grants for response activities, FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen told The Associated Press in a statement.
"FEMA has been in close contact with the state since the fires occurred, and based on the information they provided, it was determined that there was not a need for additional support at this time," Racusen said. "Over the past few months, FEMA has awarded over 20 fire management grants to the state, which provide targeted funding to help with firefighting efforts, including 16 in April alone."
FEMA will continue to work closely with the state and local emergency management officials, Racusen said.
Perry said the state will consider all its options, including an appeal. FEMA says Texas has 30 days to appeal.
"I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve," Perry said.
Two firefighters died in separate incidents in April. Elias Macias Jaquez, who volunteered with the Cactus department, suffered severe burns. Gregory Mack Simmons, who was an Eastland firefighter, was killed after apparently being hit by a vehicle while in a smoke-filled area.
More than 200 Texas counties have outdoor burn bans as scattered wildfires continue. West Texas remains critically dry, according to the Texas Forest Service.
___
Online:
http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/DecBan.png
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Late Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry criticized the White House after learning that his April 16 request for a federal major disaster declaration and additional help had been rejected. Wildfires since November have blackened at least 2.2 million acres and damaged or destroyed more than 400 homes across the state, the governor said.
The federal government has already provided Texas with grants for response activities, FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen told The Associated Press in a statement.
"FEMA has been in close contact with the state since the fires occurred, and based on the information they provided, it was determined that there was not a need for additional support at this time," Racusen said. "Over the past few months, FEMA has awarded over 20 fire management grants to the state, which provide targeted funding to help with firefighting efforts, including 16 in April alone."
FEMA will continue to work closely with the state and local emergency management officials, Racusen said.
Perry said the state will consider all its options, including an appeal. FEMA says Texas has 30 days to appeal.
"I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve," Perry said.
Two firefighters died in separate incidents in April. Elias Macias Jaquez, who volunteered with the Cactus department, suffered severe burns. Gregory Mack Simmons, who was an Eastland firefighter, was killed after apparently being hit by a vehicle while in a smoke-filled area.
More than 200 Texas counties have outdoor burn bans as scattered wildfires continue. West Texas remains critically dry, according to the Texas Forest Service.
___
Online:
http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/DecBan.png
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
Texas Gov. Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax "tea party" Wednesday with his stance against the federal government
Perry told the crowd...that officials in Washington have abandoned the country's founding principles of limited government.
Perry repeated his running theme that Texas' economy is in relatively good shape compared with other states...
Perry rejected $550 million in federal economic stimulus money slated to help Texas' unemployment trust fund.
He[Perry]said the federal government has become oppressive in its size and interference with states.
With regard to being denied MORE FEMA funds;
Gov. Rick Perry criticized the White House after learning that his April 16 request for a federal major disaster declaration and additional help had been rejected.
Even though;
"Over the past few months, FEMA has awarded over 20 fire management grants to the state [Texas], which provide targeted funding to help with firefighting efforts, including 16 in April alone."
Perry further commented;
"I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve."
Summary - Republican Governor Rick Perry is UPSET that the same federal government that he rails against for the Federal Budget, Spending, Deficit, TARP and other economic stimuli, and which has ALREADY sent Texas 20 grants, WON'T SEND TEXAS ANY MORE MONEY!
How does one balance blaming the federal government (democrats) for all of the economic woes of this country and being out of control, while loudly complaining that the same oppressive, over sized, out-of-control, interfering federal government won't send him more money?
I guess one needs two faces for that kind of outrageous expectation.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/15/gov-rick-perry-texas-coul_...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/29/perry-laments-lack-...
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
Interesting Jack,
In another FFN article about Obama touring the tornado destruction in the south a member commented about the administartion and how TX isn't getting any FEMA aid.
Yep, goes to show the mantra, cut spending, cut costs and so forth "as long as it doesn't affect me".
-
-
John,
I'm absolutely amazed that a governor can make such two-faced statements and nobody calls him on it. How in the hell can you on one hand decry government spending, over sized government and infringement on state's rights and THEN publicly whine that the same damn gubmint yous just been a bad mouthin, ain't a sendin' ya no dough? If there's a patron saints for (texas) politicians it has to be Janus.
-
Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
-
I must say I'm embarrassed by the Texas governor's tirade. It's a shame the folks who lost their homes recently and the small volunteer fire departments that fought the good fight are caught in the middle. The Strawn (TX) VFD has aging trucks out of service and no money to fix them after the Possum Kingdom Fire. They spent $3200.00 of their own money on fuel alone and --- you guessed it --- no reimbursement.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
