For Immediate Release:
Thursday, January 12, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren today called upon the acting Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve Governor Henry’s requests to include additional Oklahoma counties under the Federal Disaster Declaration.  The declaration provided individual assistance to families impacted by wildfires since early November. 

 

In a letter to acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison, Boren asked the director, “to approve requests for the addition of certain counties for individual assistance in Oklahoma to the Federal Disaster Declaration.”  “It is time for FEMA to act, period,” Boren said.  

 

“I’ve heard from constituents in McIntosh, Bryan, Pittsburg and Muskogee counties, and many others who badly need direct assistance from FEMA.  We need to get help for our families as soon as possible,” Boren said. 

 

As deadly wildfires charred thousands of acres across Oklahoma, Governor Henry requested FEMA approve the Disaster Declaration to apply to all 77 counties in the state.  The original request was made on December 30^th, but only after outrage from state and federal leaders, FEMA finally approved the declaration on January 10^th.  However, FEMA only approved individual assistance to people in 12 counties, despite the significant property damage in other counties. 

 

“Because of the inexplicable delay in the approval of the Governor’s original request, I have serious concerns about the efficiency of future approvals to the declaration by FEMA.  I want assurances from Director Paulison that there will be no future delays in the addition of other impacted counties,” Boren said.

 

“Across our state, hundreds of Oklahoma firefighters, mostly volunteers, have had many sleepless nights and exhausting days on the frontline of the blazes.  We want to thank them for their service and offer hope to the families impacted by this disaster.  Helping individuals and businesses rebuild must be a top priority in the aftermath of this disaster,” Boren said.

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