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Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for California
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 28, 2008

Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for California

ÿÿWhite House News


The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of California
and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in
the area struck by wildfires beginning on June 20, 2008, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster
relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and
suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide
appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under
Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and
public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a
catastrophe in the counties of Butte, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Clara,
Santa Cruz, Shasta, and Trinity.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its
discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of
the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal
assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael J. Hall as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.

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