MEMA APPLICANTS INFO for Historical Commissions, Historical Societies, libraries, museums, and other non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving historic structures*

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will conduct an Applicant Briefing on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the MEMA Region Office, 1002 Suffield Street, Agawam, MA 01001. This briefing will explain the reimbursement process for receiving federal funds for eligible expenses incurred by municipalities and certain non-profit organizations as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes. This briefing will explain, in detail, the reimbursement process and the documentation necessary to receive funds. The meeting will explain how to complete Request for Assistance forms.
FEMA Public Assistance Program funding might be available to communities and certain non-profits for emergency work, including debris removal and emergency protective measures, as well as the repair or replacement of tornado-damaged facilities.

This will be the only Public Assistance Program applicant briefing, so please send a representative, if at all possible. This is an important opportunity to get your questions answered. It is essential that representatives of Historical Commissions, Historical Societies, libraries, museums, and other non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving historic structures keep in close touch with your town officials and FEMA and MEMA staff throughout the disaster recovery process. Your input will be critical in making sure that your community’s historic sites and structures get the proper attention and repairs. Please feel free to forward this notice to other non-profit organizations or municipal departments in your community. Organizations have 30 days from the date the federal disaster declaration was made (June 15) to apply for assistance.
Further information about the FEMA Public Assistance Program is available on-line here: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm
If you have any questions regarding these briefings, please contact Lorraine Eddy at (617) 347-0001 or lorraine.eddy@state.ma.us.

MEMA APPLICANT INFO FOR HOMEOWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND OTHER PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS
*NOTE – These meetings will NOT discuss the Individual Assistance Program, which assists homeowners, businesses, and other private property owners. Property owners in those categories should register with FEMA online at disasterassistance.gov , by telephone at (800) 621-3362, or in person at one of the Disaster Recovery Centers. Further information is available online at http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm.

We have compiled a list of agencies and organizations‘ contact information which have info regarding natural disasters.

Preservation Massachusetts would like to assist homeowners in finding information for the planning and project phases of construction after a natural disaster.
Please contact our office with any questions at 617-723-3383.

PM has compiled helpful informational resources to assist property owners with their daunting challenges of rebuilding after the June 1st storms in the western Massachusetts areas. The restoration project of an historic home presents unique challenges which need to be met by unique professionals.

How do I begin my construction project?
Start by having a plan and asking the right questions. This can be an overwhelming process. Take a look at our WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MY CONTRACTOR FOR MY HISTORIC HOME resource. This resource addresses the importance of an appropriate professional, the questions which should be asked and the information the professional should provide.

Where do you begin to look for preservation professionals?
Check out our Consultants Directory for preservation professionals.
We have complied preservation directories which have professionals listed who have experience working on historic properties. As always, Preservation Massachusetts cannot endorse or guarantee the skill set or work of these professionals; rather we are meaning only to serve as a conduit to these directories. This compilation is to serve as a starting point for your search for professionals to complete work on your property. It is up to the home owner to do their homework. (See our Contractor Resource).

Where can I find informational resources for my historic home?
If you are looking for a list of professionals, Secretary of Interior Standards, online disaster resources, and funding sources we have an informational resources sheet on these issues.

Where do I find information on fixing historic wood windows?
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a great tip sheet on repairing historic wood windows.

PM E-Alert:
Update on efforts to assist tornado damaged communities in western and central Massachusetts.

On Wednesday June 1, several communities in Western and Central Massachusetts were hard hit by tornadoes. Many towns, including Monson and Springfield, sustained incredible structural damage, including many historic resources, structures and landscapes.

Preservation Massachusetts convened our statewide preservation coalition and a group of state and federal agencies on a conference call to discuss how to aid these affected communities in relief efforts. It was clear that there is a great need to assess the extent of damage to their historic resources and slowing down the rush to demolish damaged buildings.

Preservation Massachusetts has committed to assisting these communities however best we can and here is an update of our activities and progress to date.

Our Western Massachusetts Circuit Rider, Michele Barker, has been extremely active, contacting historic commissions and other groups and organizations in affected towns, and touring damaged communities to get an idea of damage extent. She has also been extremely busy utilizing her local contacts to find point people to assist with volunteer efforts and find out where the greatest need for assistance is and identifying where PM and other resources, tools can be of use now and in coming weeks and months. If you are in an affected community and need support for historic resources, contact Michele via email! (mpbarker@preservationmass.org)

PM has placed a “Call for Volunteers” to aid in assessing damage to historic resources in the affected communities that will be useful to state and federal agencies as they organize aid and on the ground efforts. The response was incredible, over 80 professionals, from all over New England offered their assistance! PM is working hard on logistics to get these great volunteers in the field by next week! If you are willing to volunteer or want to help, contact Erin Kelly via email! (ekelly@preservationmass.org)

PM President Jim Igoe, Assistant Director Erin Kelly, along with representatives from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation visited Monson and Springfield, two of the hardest hit communities on June 13. See pictures of the damage on our Flickr site!

PM will utilize our website and Facebook page as a platform for information sharing, valuable links, tools and ways you can help. Be sure to check them out!

On Wednesday, June 15 President Obama declared a disaster in Massachusetts, allowing FEMA and other federal aid to begin flowing into these damaged communities. PM will assist in serving as a conduit of information for the affected communities and others as it becomes available to us. Be sure to check our website and e-news blasts!

Preservation is not just about buildings; it is about community and it is about people. We are committed to helping as much as we can to bring resources and assistance to the people of these towns to help them restore, rehabilitate and rebuild their communities and historic resources!

Preservation Massachusetts will continue to work collaboratively with our preservation partners across the state, the local communities and the many state and federal agencies that are mobilized across the affected area. If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information, please contact our office at 617-723-3383.

Release Date: June 19, 2011
DR1994-MA
FEMA News Desk: 413-787-4335
MEMA Peter Judge: 508-820-2002
Recovery News

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Springfield and West Springfield
Seven More Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Monday & Tuesday

Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced today that seven more Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will officially open on Monday and Tuesday this week in Hampden and Worcester Counties in Massachusetts. Two DRCs already opened this past Saturday in Springfield and West Springfield, and seven more DRCs will open on Monday in Agawam, Brimfield, Sturbridge and Wilbraham, and on Tuesday in Monson, Southbridge and Westfield. These nine DRCs will connect disaster survivors with state and federal specialists to help survivors start their recoveries.

At the DRCs, those affected by the June 1st storms can meet with specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, representatitives from several state agencies under the Offices of Health and Human Services, Housing and Economic Development and Labor and Workforce Development will be available at the DRCs to provide state assistance where available. Catholic Charities, along with other vital federal and state voluntary agencies, will also be represented at the DRCs to help coordinate donations and volunteer inquiries.

Please note that, before visiting a DRC, those seeking assistance are strongly urged to first register with FEMA for assistance. Registration may be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or in Spanish at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/?langcode+ES, by smartphone through m.FEMA.gov, or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration HelpLine at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585, or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362. Multi-language assistance is available. Telephone registration is available from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.

Following, please find the locations that will be open, from 8 am to 7 pm, seven days a week until further notice:
DRCs that opened on Saturday, June 18, 2011 -

Springfield: West Springfield:
Technology Park J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building
One Federal Street, Building #104 26 Central Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105 West Springfield, Massachusetts 01089
Page 2.

DRCs Opening on Monday, June 20, 2011 –

Agawam:
MEMA Emergency Operations Center
1002 Suffield Street
Agawam, Massachusetts 01001

Brimfield:
Hitchcock Academy
2 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, Massachusetts 01010

Sturbridge:
Sturbridge Police Station
346 Main Street
Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566

Wilbraham:
Wilbraham & Munson Academy
Blake Middle School
20 Faculty Street (in back of building)
Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095

DRCs Opening on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 –

Monson:
Granite Valley Middle School
21 Thompson Street
Monson, Massachusetts 01057

Southbridge:
Jacob Edwards Library
236 Main Street
Southbridge, Massachusetts 01550

Westfield:
Munger Hill Elementary School
33 Mallard Lane
Westfield, Massachusetts 01085

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Please visit our Flickr site to view images taken on June 13,2011 in Monson, Springfield and other hard hit towns. The damage to this area is vast and hard to believe. Stay tuned to our website to keep up with our advocacy efforts and ways you can help.