Department of Homeland Security - News Releases

[IDHS] State Organizations: Unsolicited Volunteers Hamper Recovery; Money Best Gift of All (5/21/2013)

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/21/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/21/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

State Organizations: Unsolicited volunteers hamper recovery; Money best gift of all
Oklahoma needs organized response to assist with recovery

INDIANAPOLIS – In support of the response and recovery in Oklahoma, two Indiana agencies are advising Hoosiers to be organized in their volunteer efforts and to give money, not stuff.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (Indiana VOAD) are advising Hoosiers about how to help Oklahoma citizens in need. The destruction in Oklahoma City has left communities in need of hands-on help and donations. Volunteers play a vital part in disaster recovery.

Chris Gilbert, president of Indiana VOAD, said, “Well-meaning individuals who simply show up to help without coordinating with disaster management personnel can complicate or even hinder response and recovery operations already underway. Become part of a coordinated effort.”

Following some simple guidelines can make all the difference in the revitalizing the areas hit by a disaster.

Do not just show up to the disaster area. Reach out and contact a volunteer organization.
Inform volunteer organizations of any specific skills or services that you can offer.
Get trained with a group.
Make sure to think through things you will need. Do not assume that resources are available at the site. These should include: appropriate clothing, food and water, shelter/a place to stay.

John Erickson, senior public information officer for the IDHS, said, “In disaster recovery, it is best to donate money to a legitimate relief agency that you know, trust and is working in the area. Sending materials and food to areas hit by a disaster can cause problems with sorting, storage and distribution. It is best to send money rather than goods because it is more flexible. It allows volunteer organizations to more quickly obtain the supplies needed to address the most urgent needs.”

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Media Contact
IDHS Public Information Officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov

[IDHS] Governor Lauds Indiana's Emergency Medical Services Professionals (5/20/2013 - 5/21/2013)

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/20/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/21/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

Governor Lauds Indiana’s Emergency Medical Services Professionals

INDIANAPOLIS -- Governor Mike Pence has proclaimed May 19-25, 2013, Emergency Medical Services Week.

This week long appreciation and celebration, with the theme of “EMS: One Mission. One Team,” is May 19-25.

According to the Governor Pence’s proclamation, “Emergency Medical Services are a vital public service to the people and communities of Indiana. Countless lives have been saved by quality early medical treatment from the men and women of the emergency medical services community. It is important for Hoosiers to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of these highly trained professionals.”

National EMS week brings together local communities and medical personnel who are on the front-line of medicine. There are three goals of EMS week: to promote EMS service within the community; to educate the public on safety and health-related topics; and to provide information on new EMS procedures or equipment.

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Media Contact
IDHS Public Information Officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov.

[IDHS] Scammer Claiming to be With IDHS Targets Tipton Resident (5/17/2013)

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/17/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/17/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

SCAMMER CLAIMING TO BE WITH IDHS TARGETS TIPTON RESIDENT

INDIANAPOLIS -- A scammer claiming to be with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security called a Tipton resident and asked for personal financial information.

The caller asked the resident if a disaster relief check had been received, then asked for bank account information. The resident did the right thing and hung up the phone without giving them any information.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security does not collect bank account information or other sensitive personal information over the phone. If anyone calls or shows up at your home representing themselves as part of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and asks for money or sensitive information, report the contact to local law enforcement immediately.

Unfortunately, disasters like flooding can sometimes attract scam artists and identity thieves. Hoosiers should be cautious of any unsolicited offers of assistance. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a scam can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. The complaint form can be filled in online at www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1-800-382-5516 to request a form by mail.

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Media Contact
IDHS Public Information Officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov

[IDHS] Saturday Only Weekend Date Disaster Loan Centers Will Be Open (5/17/2013)

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/17/2013
End Date:	5/17/2013

SATURDAY ONLY WEEKEND DATE DISASTER LOAN CENTERS WILL BE OPEN

Hoosiers who have questions or want to apply in-person for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration have the opportunity to do so at one of four Disaster Loan Centers on Saturday, May 18. This will be the only weekend date the centers in Grant, Howard, Madison and Tipton counties will be open. All four centers will open their doors at 8:00 a.m. and close at Noon.

Low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Miami, Tipton, Wabash and Wells counties. Hoosiers in these counties can apply by visiting any one of the four centers or online.

Members of the SBA will be on hand to take questions and aid residents, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in the disaster loan process. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will also have staff at the centers to provide flood victims with information about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund. Grants of up to $5,000 may be available for Hoosiers who suffered flood damage, but may not be eligible for a federal loan.

The Disaster Loan Centers will continue to be open Monday through Thursday next week.

Disaster Center Locations and Hours

Grant County
Marion City Hall
301 South Branson Street
Marion, IN 46952
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Howard County
Howard County Alternate EOC
627 South Berkley Road
Kokomo, IN 46901
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Tipton County
Tipton County Courthouse
101 East Jefferson
Tipton, IN 46072
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Madison County
The Closed Water Company Office
1139 N. Anderson Street
Elwood, IN 46036
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

SBA Disaster Loans

Hoosiers can apply by visiting one of the SBA Disaster Centers or online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Individuals and businesses can call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Those suffering damage to personal or business property must return applications by July 9, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications - which includes, for example, payroll, working capital and other business financial commitments - is February 10, 2014.

State Disaster Relief Fund

The Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund was established in 2003 to provide assistance to individuals who may not be eligible for federal disaster assistance, but met the state’s criteria for disaster relief. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible disaster victims. Fees from retail fireworks sales provide the funding for this program.

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MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:
IDHS: Public Information Office, (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov.
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[IDHS] Damage Assessments for Public Assistance to Start Monday in 18 Counties (5/14/2013)

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/14/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/14/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO START MONDAY
FEMA, IDHS, and local officials to survey flood damage in 18 counties

INDIANAPOLIS – Local, state and federal officials will begin conducting joint preliminary damage assessments for public assistance in 18 Indiana counties starting Monday morning. The teams will evaluate damage caused by severe weather and flooding that began April 17.

Teams will be in the following counties: Benton, Boone, Clay, Clinton, Fountain, Hendricks, Howard, Knox, Madison, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren.

These assessments will determine if the damage warrants a request to President Barack Obama for federal Public Assistance.

Public Assistance
If a disaster declaration for public assistance is granted, state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in the designated counties would be eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.

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Media Contact
IDHS Public Information Officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov

[IDHS] Disaster Loans Available to Grant, Howard, Tipton and Surrounding Counties (5/10/2013)

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/10/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/10/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

DISASTER LOANS AVAILABLE TO GRANT, HOWARD AND TIPTON COUNTIES
Neighboring counties also eligible for low-interest disaster loans

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Pence received word today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made available low-interest disaster loans for flood victims in Grant, Howard and Tipton counties.

Residents, businesses and non-profit organizations in neighboring counties would also be eligible for these disaster loans. Those counties include Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Hamilton, Huntington, Madison, Miami, Wabash and Wells.

The SBA is planning to open Disaster Center offices in Grant, Howard, Madison, and Tipton counties to handle any questions and help residents apply for loans. The locations and hours of those centers have not been determined yet. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is also planning to have staff at the centers to provide flood victims information about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund. Grants of up to $5,000 may be available for Hoosiers who suffered flood damage, but may not be eligible for a federal loan.

How to Apply for SBA Loans

Disaster loan information can also be completed on SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Individuals and businesses can call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan Amounts

Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Those suffering damage to personal or business property must return applications by July 9, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications - which includes, for example, payroll, working capital and other business financial commitments - is February 10, 2014. For more information contact SBA.

State Disaster Relief Fund

The Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund was established in 2003 to provide assistance to individuals and local governments who may not be eligible for federal disaster assistance, but met the state’s criteria for disaster relief. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible disaster victims. Fees from retail fireworks sales provide the funding for this program.

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MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:
IDHS: Public Information Office, (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov.
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[IDHS] SBA to Open Disaster Centers in Grant, Howard, Madison, and Tipton Counties Beginning Tuesday (5/10/2013)

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/10/2013
End Date:	5/10/2013

SBA TO OPEN DISASTER CENTERS IN GRANT, HOWARD, MADISON, AND TIPTON COUNTIES BEGINNING TUESDAY

In order to help Hoosiers through the disaster loan process, the U.S. Small Business Administration will open Disaster Centers in Grant, Howard, Madison and Tipton counties.

Low-interest disaster loans are available to residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Miami, Tipton, Wabash and Wells counties. Hoosiers in these counties can apply by visiting any one of the four centers or online.

All four centers will open Tuesday, May 14 at 9:00 a.m. Each center will be open for two weeks, expect for the Madison County office, which will be open for one week only. Locations and hours are provided below.

Members of the SBA will be on hand to take questions and aid residents, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in the disaster loan process. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will also have staff at the centers to provide flood victims with information about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund. Grants of up to $5,000 may be available for Hoosiers who suffered flood damage, but may not be eligible for a federal loan.

Disaster Center Locations and Hours

Grant County
Marion City Hall
301 South Branson Street
Marion, IN 46952
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Howard County
Howard County Alternate EOC
627 South Berkley Road
Kokomo, IN 46901
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Tipton County
Tipton County Courthouse
101 East Jefferson
Tipton, IN 46072
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Madison County
The Closed Water Company Office
1139 N. Anderson Street
Elwood, IN 46036
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

SBA Disaster Loans

Hoosiers can apply by visiting one of the SBA Disaster Centers or online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Individuals and businesses can call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Those suffering damage to personal or business property must return applications by July 9, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications - which includes, for example, payroll, working capital and other business financial commitments - is February 10, 2014.

State Disaster Relief Fund

The Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund was established in 2003 to provide assistance to individuals who may not be eligible for federal disaster assistance, but met the state’s criteria for disaster relief. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible disaster victims. Fees from retail fireworks sales provide the funding for this program.

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MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:
IDHS: Public Information Office, (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

[IDHS] Governor Pence Requests SBA Assistance for 3 Counties (5/7/2013)

Tue, 7 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/7/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/7/2013	End Time:	11:59 PM

Governor Pence Requests SBA Assistance for 3 Counties

INDIANAPOLIS – As a result of severe storms and flooding from April 17-23, Governor Michael R. Pence has requested the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program for Grant, Howard and Tipton counties.

If declared, contiguous counties would also qualify for the low-interest disaster loans. If granted, residents, businesses and non-profit organizations affected would be eligible to apply.

Contiguous counties are Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Hamilton, Huntington, Madison, Miami, Wabash and Wells.

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Media
Contact the public information officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov.

[IDHS] Indiana State Officials Focus on Building Safety May 5-11 (5/7/2013)

Tue, 7 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/7/2013
End Date:	5/7/2013

Indiana State Officials Focus on Building Safety May 5-11

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Pence has declared the week of May 5-11 as Building Safety Week, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is reminding Hoosiers how building inspections help with Hoosier safety.

The Fire and Building Safety Division of IDHS is responsible for inspecting hundreds of public structures a year, including schools, child care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, restaurants and hotels.

“Building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers and all those in the construction industry, work year-round to ensure the places we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe,” said Dean Illingworth of IDHS’s Division of Fire and Building Safety. “Countless lives have been saved due to the implementation of building and fire safety codes by state and local code officials.”

Building codes address all aspects of construction, from structural to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. To ensure buildings are safe requires the active participation of code officials, fire inspectors, architects, builders, engineers, contractors and others in the construction industry, as well as property owners.

Hoosiers can make the places they live safer by taking simple steps. A few are:

Install smoke alarms outside sleeping areas on each level of your home.
Test your smoke alarm each month and change the batteries at least once a year.
Develop a family action plan for a disaster, and include an escape plan from every room in the house in case of a fire.
Use surge protective devices to protect electronic appliances.
Routinely check the condition of electrical appliances and wiring for damage.
To avoid damage and injuries during an earthquake, hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, or anywhere people sit, and store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china, in low, closed cabinets with latches.

Building Safety Week is part of a larger National Building Safety Month. This year’s theme is Code Officials Keep You Safe. Each week of Building Safety Month spotlights a specific area of building safety: Fire Safety and Awareness, May 6‐12; Disaster Safety and Mitigation, May 13‐19; Backyard and Pool Safety, May 20‐26; and Energy and Green Building, May 27‐31.

You can view the Governor’s proclamation at GetPrepared.IN.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:
IDHS: PIO on duty, (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

[IDHS] Damage Assessments Expand to Huntington, Grant and Tippecanoe Counties Today (5/3/2013)

Fri, 3 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/3/2013
End Date:	5/3/2013

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS EXPAND TO HUNTINGTON, GRANT AND TIPPECANOE COUNTIES TODAY

INDIANAPOLIS – Local, state and federal officials will expand joint preliminary damage assessments to three additional counties today – Huntington, Grant and Tippecanoe.

Of the four initial counties being assessed – Howard, Madison, Tipton and Wabash counties – evaluations of Madison and Wabash have been completed. Howard and Tipton will be completed today.

Homes and businesses are being assessed to evaluate damage caused by severe weather and flooding that began April 17.

Teams will include representatives from those counties, Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Based on citizen reports and damage gathered by local and state emergency management professionals, these teams are focusing on the seven counties.

These damage assessments are a key part of the multi-step process to determine eligibility to pursue federal assistance. See below for additional information about the federal disaster declaration process.

The federal disaster declaration process for individual assistance:

• An emergency or disaster incident occurs.
• Local emergency and public safety personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations and other private groups provide emergency life-saving and -sustaining activities, meet immediate human needs, and restore essential services vital to public health and safety.
• A local disaster or emergency is declared.
• Preliminary damage and impact information is reported to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) by citizens and local emergency management entities.
• IDHS conducts preliminary assessments allowing officials to determine if there is a possibility of federal assistance. If the number of businesses and homes is significant enough to officially request joint preliminary damage assessments then federal officials visit the state and finalize assessments with state and local officials.
• INDIANA IS CURRENTLY AT THIS STEP: Personnel from FEMA and the U.S. SBA are deployed and have been doing assessments the past two days. They have been joined by state and local representatives to conduct damage assessments.
• IDHS provides the findings of the joint damage assessments to the Governor's Office.
• If eligibility requirements have been met, the Governor will officially request federal assistance to FEMA or the SBA.
• FEMA or SBA reviews the request and findings of the joint damage assessments and a determination of disaster or emergency declaration is then made
• Federal assistance is granted or denied.

IDHS is still encouraging anyone who has not yet reported damage to please do so today.

HOW TO REPORT DAMAGE
Hoosiers who sustained damage caused by severe weather and flooding that began April 17 can report online at www.in.gov/dhs. In the middle of the page under “Featured Topics,” click on “Report Damage from Severe Storms and Flooding - Starting April 17 and continuing.”

FOR QUESTIONS
For questions, contact your county emergency management agency. Local agency's contact information is available by accessing: http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/Sanitized_Compact_Directory.pdf.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS
Individuals without Internet access are encouraged to contact a friend, family member or neighbor for assistance. Web access is also available at many libraries, religious institutions, community centers or other public facilities. If none of those options are available, individuals may also contact their county emergency management agency to report damage.

THIS REPORT IS NOT AN APPLICATION FOR ANY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This is NOT an application for a grant with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Information will be used to help local emergency management agencies and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security preliminarily assess damage to determine if federal assistance can be pursued.

All Hoosiers are advised to stay tuned to local radio and television weather broadcasts or listen to an all hazards alert radio for updated warnings and safety information related to potential weather threats.

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Media Contact
IDHS Public Information Officer on duty at 317.234.6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov