Louisiana Recovery Office New Orleans, LA FEMA: Week in Review Calendar Jan. 7: Jefferson Parish Lakeshore Library Grand Opening Jan. 17: Orleans Parish Hynes Elementary Grand Opening Dedication Jan. 17-19: International Disaster Conference and Expo; Morial Convention Center New Orleans January 6, 2012 Announcements Jackson Barracks’ Historic Garrison Buildings Cleared For Additional FEMA-Funded Renovations The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced approximately $11.6 million for interior renovations at five of Jackson Barracks’ Historic Garrison Buildings. “Serving as Louisiana’s National Guard Headquarters, Jackson Barracks was severely flooded during Hurricane Katrina,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “More than 200 structures there were damaged and eligible for FEMA’s assistance.” Built circa 1830, the antebellum Historic Garrison Buildings 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 at Jackson Barracks serve as military housing. FEMA previously provided funding for repairs at these buildings. The recent $11.6 million grant is in response to Jackson Barracks’ improved project request for the Historic Garrison Buildings noted above. “The scope of work in this improved project brings the Historic Garrison Buildings to current codes and standards, while restoring the buildings to their former design and prominence,” added Cadogan. “This disaster-related work will still be accomplished in addition to the interior improvements that Jackson Barracks plans to undertake.” At the time of Hurricane Katrina, these buildings were listed as contributing elements to the Jackson Barracks Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. FEMA’s funding in support of these facilities’ restoration has made them viable for use once again. FEMA is currently revising the Jackson Barracks’ National Register of Historic Places nomination to reflect their current condition through photographs and architectural descriptions. SAFER Grants Basic Information .. Call the Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or email firegrants@dhs.gov for answers to your questions, or contact your Fire Program Specialist. .. Locate your e-Grants system user name and password established from previous grant years. .. Use the same user name and password on your new application. .. Decide on a main point of contact. .. Corresponding Get Ready Guides and Self Evaluation Tools for the grant activity you will be applying for will be available soon with additional information to help you prepare your application. SAFER Application Get Ready Guide The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response application period will be opening soon. This handy guide will give a kick-start in preparing a grant application and to thoroughly answer all grant application questions. The primary goal of the SAFER grants program is to improve or restore local fire departments' staffing and deployment capabilities so they more effectively respond to emergencies. With the enhanced or restored staffing, a SAFER grantee's response time will be reduced sufficiently and an appropriate number of trained personnel will be assembled at the incident scene. Grant funds are available in two categories: 1)hiring firefighters and recruitment and 2)retention of volunteer firefighters. Housing Update Katrina/Rita: 14 units Gustav/Ike: 3 units Contacts News Desk: (504) 762-2477 External Affairs Director, Andrea Davis: (504) 247-6628 / Andrea.Davis1@dhs.gov IGA and Congressional Affairs Lead, Amy Connolly: (504) 762-2048 Amy.Connolly@fema.dhs.gov FEMA