October 11, 2006
Posted in:Travel Trailers, Safety — jeromeba @ 9:37 pm
E-Mail
This Page
FEMA Urges Fire Safety In Travel Trailers
Agency Replacing Stove Igniter Knobs to Highlight Safety
Release Date: September 29, 2006
Release Number: HQ-06-141
.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents living in temporary housing to closely adhere to travel trailer safety and fire prevention tips. Residents also are reminded that knobs used to operate travel trailer stoves may differ from conventional ovens, and their proper use is very important in avoiding accidents or injuries.
Highlighting safety, FEMA announced that it is replacing the igniter knobs (to a red color) on travel trailer stoves as an additional safety measure to help residents differentiate between igniter and burner knobs. Although manufacturer instructions are provided to travel trailer occupants on the use of stoves, the agency is changing the igniter knob to a different color in an effort to aid individuals by pointing out the important differences in knob operations between igniters and burners.
“As a former fire chief, I know needless accidents and death caused by fires could have easily been avoided by following common everyday fire safety tips,” said FEMA Director David Paulison. “FEMA is making a concerted effort to provide the necessary actions and information to families in travel trailers to help with their safety.”
The safety of residents living in FEMA provided temporary housing is of the utmost importance to the agency. Providing information and making sure people are aware of proper safety measures is essential.
The number one message for occupants of travel trailer who smell propane gas in their trailer is to get out immediately (follow the steps below if you detect gas):
Do not look for the leak yourself;
Get out immediately;
Leave the door open behind you;
From outside of the trailer, call 911 or your local fire department and report the leak;
If you can do so safely, turn off the gas at the propane tank and turn off the power to the trailer at the pole or main switch coming from the house.
Brochures are being distributed in multiple languages to occupants of travel trailers outlining key safety measures, security precautions and information on family escape plans.
More Information:
Posted in:Travel Trailers, New Post — jeromeba @ 9:22 pm
E-Mail
This Page
FEMA Asks Gulf States to Help Develop Alternative Housing Pilot for Disaster Victims
The Alternative Housing Pilot Program is intended to address ongoing housing challenges created by the 2005 hurricane season in the states of the Gulf Coast region, specifically Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. This grant guidance is designed to encourage innovation and creativity, as well as, develop alternative housing that can be produced, transported and installed in a timely manner and in appropriate quantities, that are adaptable to a variety of site conditions, and that will facilitate sustainable and permanent housing.
The states eligible to compete for the $400 million are Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The Alternative Housing Pilot program is an opportunity for the states, the housing industry, and other organizations to help FEMA and Congress explore new ideas for providing post-disaster housing to people in need.
“This Gulf Coast pilot will have national applicability, as it will help FEMA consider new ways to house people quickly and efficiently for future disasters,” said FEMA Director David Paulison. (Read More)
More Information:
Posted in:Travel Trailers, New Post — jeromeba @ 9:14 pm
E-Mail
This Page
Accessible Trailers For People With Disabilities Available From FEMA
As part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit, Brou v. FEMA, approved by the Federal District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana on September 26, 2006, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reaching out to notify Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees with disabilities, or those living with someone who has a disability, that accessible trailers are available for temporary housing. Katrina and Rita evacuees with disabilities who do not have accessible temporary housing should contact FEMA and make their needs known, even if they have previously been in touch with FEMA about their housing needs.
Individuals with disabilities, or those living with someone with a disability, who need an accessible trailer, should call 1-866-496-4297 (Louisiana evacuees) and 1-888-294-2820 (Mississippi evacuees), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, (TTY number for both Louisiana and Mississippi is 1-800-462-7585). Those calling the toll-free number should be prepared to discuss the kind of disability and the kinds of accessibility features that are needed.
FEMA will assist individuals with disabilities by either providing an accessible trailer, modifying an individual’s current trailer to make it accessible, or finding those in need a suitable place to live.
Accessible trailers may take up to 90 days to deliver, or longer if an applicant does not have a suitable site for a trailer. Changes to make a current trailer accessible may take up to 60 days to complete.
Persons with disabilities who do not receive an accessible trailer should contact the agency at 1-866-496-4297 (Louisiana evacuees) and 1-888-294-2820 (Mississippi evacuees). To obtain an accessible trailer within the times in this notice, you must contact FEMA before May 9, 2007.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
More Information:
Public Service Announcement - 60 seconds (MP3 927KB, TXT 2KB)
Public Service Announcement - 30 seconds (MP3 471KB, TXT 839B)
October 2, 2006
Posted in:Travel Trailers, Safety, New Post — jeromeba @ 5:06 am
E-Mail
This Page
FEMA Urges Fire Safety In Travel Trailers
Agency Replacing Stove Igniter Knobs to Highlight Safety
Release Date: September 29, 2006
Release Number: HQ-06-141
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents living in temporary housing to closely adhere to travel trailer safety and fire prevention tips. Residents also are reminded that knobs used to operate travel trailer stoves may differ from conventional ovens, and their proper use is very important in avoiding accidents or injuries.
Highlighting safety, FEMA announced that it is replacing the igniter knobs (to a red color) on travel trailer stoves as an additional safety measure to help residents differentiate between igniter and burner knobs. Although manufacturer instructions are provided to travel trailer occupants on the use of stoves, the agency is changing the igniter knob to a different color in an effort to aid individuals by pointing out the important differences in knob operations between igniters and burners.
“As a former fire chief, I know needless accidents and death caused by fires could have easily been avoided by following common everyday fire safety tips,” said FEMA Director David Paulison. “FEMA is making a concerted effort to provide the necessary actions and information to families in travel trailers to help with their safety.”
The safety of residents living in FEMA provided temporary housing is of the utmost importance to the agency. Providing information and making sure people are aware of proper safety measures is essential.
The number one message for occupants of travel trailer who smell propane gas in their trailer is to get out immediately (follow the steps below if you detect gas):
-
Do not look for the leak yourself;
-
Get out immediately;
-
Leave the door open behind you;
-
From outside of the trailer, call 911 or your local fire department and report the leak;
-
If you can do so safely, turn off the gas at the propane tank and turn off the power to the trailer at the pole or main switch coming from the house.
Brochures are being distributed in multiple languages to occupants of travel trailers outlining key safety measures, security precautions and information on family escape plans.
August 21, 2006
Posted in:Safety — jeromeba @ 6:11 pm
E-Mail
This Page
Mold Can Be A Problem Long After Flood Waters Recede
Release Date: August 18, 2006
Release Number: 1650-053
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. — Mold problems often appear five to six weeks after a flood as evidenced by nearly 1,400 individuals inquiring about mold clean-up at the state and federal disaster mitigation and home supply store outreach currently under way in Broome, Herkimer and Sullivan counties.
Steps can be taken to combat mold growth and its potential to cause serious health problems as well as structural damage to homes according to state and federal officials. Removing some flood contaminated materials and household goods and thoroughly cleaning or drying out others are essential steps to combat mold.
Flood waters compromise household fixtures in different ways. Porous materials are nearly impossible to clean. Flood soaked carpets, carpet pads, linoleum, fabric covered furniture, wet insulation and ceiling tiles should be discarded. There is no way to clean them. For heirloom rugs and furniture, contact a professional cleaner.
Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, cooking stoves, dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machines and driers contain insulation which may harbor mold spores without visible evidence and should be discarded.
Heating and air conditioning filters should be changed and the system ductwork cleaned by a professional so that mold spores don’t circulate in the dwelling or business.
Surfaces such as wallboard, sheetrock, chipboard and particle board should be discarded. Water can wick up higher than the visible water line. The best practice is to remove the wall board at least two feet above the water line.
Non-porous surfaces, including glass, ceramic, metal and plastic, can be cleaned. A combination of household bleach and soap or detergent can be used to wash down walls, floors and other mold-contaminated areas. Follow directions on containers and take particular note of warnings. Don’t mix chlorine liquids and ammonia. Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and a tight-fitting face mask when working around mold.
Remove heating and cooling registers and ducts, and then hose the ducts to prevent contamination from flowing through the ducts when the unit is turned on. After hosing ductwork, wash with a disinfectant. If ducts are in slab or otherwise inaccessible, have them cleaned professionally.
When rebuilding, property owners living in flood-prone areas should consider using water-resistant materials. Information about rebuilding after a flood and cleaning up mold can be found at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Web site, www.fema.gov.
Additional information about mold and mildew may be found at www.health.state.ny.us or www.epa.gov and searching for mold.