WASHINGTON – With 85 percent of the FEMA workforce in the field supporting 28 disasters nationwide, the agency continues to grow its workforce to bolster recovery activities underway in the states and U.S. territories affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. FEMA is hiring dedicated people to join our recovery team, comprised of locally-hired workers. Through its hiring of temporary local employees and Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees (CORE), FEMA diversifies its workforce while affording opportunities for survivors to help fellow survivors.The types of jobs that are available include (but are...

AUSTIN, Texas – Hurricane Harvey survivors who need more time to find housing are getting an extension to stay temporarily in hotels while they look for an alternative place to live. The Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which pays for short-term hotel stays, has been extended by 14 days. The new checkout date is Oct. 24. Participants eligible to continue in the program will receive a phone call telling them what they need to do to remain at their current hotel or find a new hotel. Applicants must meet certain requirements to...

AUSTIN, Texas – A State of Texas/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Port Arthur will close permanently at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. However, help is just a mouse click, phone call or FEMA app away.The center that is closing is located at:Christus Saint Mary Hospital3535 Gates Boulevard Port Arthur TX 77642Another DRC is operating in Port Arthur at:Central Mall3100 E. FM 365Port Arthur TX 77642Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Individuals and businesses in counties included in the Texas federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Harvey and the...

AUSTIN, Texas – Local, state and nonprofit agencies and organizations in Texas seeking reimbursement for Hurricane Harvey expenses have until 5 p.m. Oct. 31, 2017 to submit their requests to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Eligible applicants are reimbursed for disaster-related costs for emergency response, debris removal and permanent work such as repairs or replacement of schools, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. The federal cost-share for all categories of Public Assistance is 90 percent.  To download the RPA form, go online to https://grants.dps.texas.gov/site/PA.cfm and click on Forms, or contact...

Official website of the Department of Homeland SecurityOriginal linkOriginal author: caroline.strunk