All eyes were on Philly for the Democratic National Convention. Very few eyes were on the work being done behind the scenes by local, state, and federal agencies to prepare for a possible emergency.  And that’s exactly how it should be. As speeches and performances happened on stages, representatives from FEMA Region III, the Secret Service, Philadelphia police and fire departments, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Emergency Management, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Parks Service, and many more worked...

In the months leading up to the Republican National Convention, many people were concerned about the potential for violent demonstrations, protests or other types of emergencies overwhelming the Rock and Roll Capital of the World.    What you may not have known was that FEMA Region V staff, and personnel from across all levels of government, spent more than a year preparing to ensure the only rocking and rolling during convention week in Cleveland were old-time classic songs. With approximately 3,000 Department of Homeland Security employees on hand, along with...

BATON ROUGE, La. – A disaster recovery center will open on Saturday, August 27, in Livingston Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.The disaster recovery center is operating at the following address and hours:Livingston ParishLocation:North Park Recreation Center (at the corner of Lockhart)30372 Eden Church RoadDenham Springs, LA 70726Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Survivors may locate other centers near them at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.To register with FEMA, go online to...

Baton Rouge, La. – Louisiana renters who experienced losses due to the severe storms and flooding beginning on Aug. 11, 2016, may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance from FEMA and the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA). Renters may be eligible for grants from FEMA to help with such disaster-related expenses as: Renting a new place to live when the renter’s previous home was lost due to the disaster.Disaster related medical and dental expenses.Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, such as appliances and...

BATON ROUGE, La. – Disaster recovery centers will open Thursday, Aug. 25, in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston and St. Landry parishes to help Louisiana flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday until further notice.The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:St. Louis King of France Catholic Church2121 N. Sherwood Forest Dr.Baton Rouge, La. 70815Early Learning Center Gym9414 Plank Rd.Clinton, La. 70772Word Ministries1960 W. Laurel Ave.Eunice, La. 70535There also are two mobile disaster recovery centers:St. Joseph Catholic Church15710 Highway 16French Settlement,...