Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Steven Cohen: We Need a Federal Disaster Superfund

Steven Cohen: We Need a Federal Disaster Superfund: Hurricane Sandy's unprecedented impact on the New York-New Jersey region is still being felt over a month after the storm has passed. The storm resulted in a massive response effort that continues today and has involved every level of government along with an impressive outpouring of private help. It is now clear that it will take a long time to recover from this disaster. Despite the wealth of this region, we will need help from the rest of the nation if we are to fully recover. The nation must develop a more routine and adequate method of funding response to disasters. We need a federal Disaster Superfund.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Lawmaker Wants To Create “New York State Natural Disaster Relief Fund” | Albany Watch

Lawmaker Wants To Create “New York State Natural Disaster Relief Fund” | Albany Watch: Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, is proposing to create a state natural disaster relief fund to help families impacted by Superstorm Sandy and prepare for future disasters, Gannett’s Haley Viccaro reports.

Reuniting Families with Lost Hurricane Sandy Pets - Causes Blog

Reuniting Families with Lost Hurricane Sandy Pets - Causes Blog: When New York City Animal Care & Control began sheltering lost pets after Hurricane Sandy’s destruction of the East Coast, cause leader Danielle Karr knew all too well what would result of their lives. After a certain period of time, the NYC ACC creates “To Be Destroyed” lists for pets unable to find a home. Danielle, reluctant to allow for mass euthanizing of pets, decided to act. Soon after Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, Danielle created a petition asking NYC ACC to halt their “To Be Destroyed” lists for the sake of families hoping to find their pets. After initially seeking 1,500 signatures on Causes.com, her petition has now attracted more than 50,000 signers, people who are adamant to help families reconnect with their pets.

After 2007 wildfires, corporate philanthropy tests its limits

After 2007 wildfires, corporate philanthropy tests its limits: In the days after after devastating 2007 wildfires sparked by backcountry power lines, utility executives set up a new charity, the Sempra Energy Foundation, intent on helping victims of a conflagration that killed two and burned 1,300 homes in San Diego County.

In the months to follow, the nonprofit foundation funded by Sempra Energy investors distributed $5,158,000 among 1,238 property owners and renters who were left homeless by the fire or lost significant holdings. An additional $60,000 went to a dozen recovery groups that rallied behind people whose home burned.

Japan to give U.S. $5 million for tsunami debris - Times-Standard Online

Japan to give U.S. $5 million for tsunami debris - Times-Standard Online: Japan's government announced on Friday it would give $5 million to the U.S. to clean up debris expected to wash ashore from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The funds, donated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program, will be used for removal of debris, disposal fees, cleanup supplies, detection and monitoring.

App manages disaster relief - AltoonaMirror.com - Altoona, PA | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - The Altoona Mirror

App manages disaster relief - AltoonaMirror.com - Altoona, PA | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - The Altoona Mirror: LORETTO - When disaster strikes, first responders can now turn to their iPads for support.

At least that was the goal of developers at St. Francis University with the creation of the Preliminary Disaster Assessment Reporting application, an iPad app tailored for emergency management officials.