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Montana's state disaster declaration prelude to federal disaster relief

Wildfires in Montana have burned more than 450,000 acres so far this year, prompting the governor to declare the state a disaster area

By Raju Chebium
CNN.com Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A state disaster declaration by Montana's governor Wednesday is a key step toward getting federal disaster funds as the state battles unprecedented wildfires.

States must first issue such declarations. Then the governors must write President Clinton requesting federal declarations, which would release federal money, Carl Suchocki, spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, explained Wednesday. FEMA processes requests from governors, he added.

Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, governors should seek federal disaster declarations from the president. The act broadly gives state and local governments and citizens aid sources when overwhelmed by natural and manmade disasters.

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Suchocki said there is no specified period for FEMA to issue federal disaster declarations after receiving state requests, adding that the speediness of the declaration "would depend on the threat to public health and safety."

Another key requirement a state must meet to get federal help is a preliminary damage assessment by FEMA in concert with state and local governments, he said.

In Montana, FEMA has authorized four so-called fire suppression grants thus far this summer; the grants reimburse the disaster expenses borne by state and local governments, Suchocki said.

State and local governments typically assess their costs of handling the emergency, then the state submits the bill to FEMA for reimbursement, he said. Montana has not yet sought reimbursement.

People in areas covered by the federal disaster declaration can get monetary help from the federal government for housing and other expenses associated with the disaster at hand.

FEMA's Disaster Housing Assistance Program provides grants of up to $10,000 per family to live in temporary housing such as available apartments and homes or they may use the money to repair their homes to make them livable, Suchocki said. The average grant ranges from $2,000 - $3,000, and families normally have to reapply for grant funds every two to three months.

Families should call a toll free number that the federal government establishes after a federal declaration is issued. An inspector surveys the damaged property and submits a report to FEMA, which issues a check to the family about a week to 10 days later.

FEMA, under director James Lee Witt, has authorized four "fire suppression grants" for fire-related expenses to Montana so far this summer

The Small Business Administration also is ready to extend help to families affected by disasters. People can apply for SBA loans for business and non-business losses. Typically, the loans are given to replace uninsured property within a home.

If an applicant is turned down by the SBA, he or she can apply to FEMA's Individual Family Grant Program. Those grants, which average about $2,500, are given for a family's medical expenses and other associated costs stemming from a disaster such as funeral expenses.

In the latest development in this fiery summer out West, Montana Gov. Marc Racicot declared the entire state a disaster area Wednesday.

The declaration came a day after evacuations in southwestern Montana near the Idaho border. The declaration means the governor can deploy National Guard troops statewide.

Wildfires have consumed more than 1 million acres of the West this summer.

New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman is also seeking federal emergency declaration for severe flooding problems over the weekend in the northern portion of the state.

Six dams in the Sparta, New Jersey, area broke over the weekend due to elevated levels of Lake Seneca following heavy rains.

State of Montana declared disaster area as fires rage
August 16, 2000

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency

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