1) FEDERAL AGENCIES EXPAND HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
http://www.fednews-online.com?publicationId=8307
Federal agencies expanded their efforts Wednesday in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We are directing the full range of federal resources and capabilities to assist and protect those who have born the brunt of this catastrophe," said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. "We will ensure that citizens in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina have the sustained support and aid necessary to recover and reclaim their homes and communities."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, a part of DHS, has moved a total of 39 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana, and the teams were moved into the impacted areas Wednesday. FEMA has also increased its number of Urban Search and Rescue task forces to 18.
DHS Secretary Chertoff has authorized the recall to active duty of 550 United States Coast Guard Reservists to support response and recovery activities.
USCG activated three national strike teams to aid in the removal of hazardous materials.
Numerous other federal agencies are assisting DHS in relief efforts:
* National Guard units from across the country have increased the number of those assisting the effort to 31,500.
* The Department of Defense's U.S. Northern Command created a Joint Task Force Katrina to act as the military's on-scene command in support of FEMA. JTFK is based out of Camp Shelby, Miss.
DoD's U.S. Transportation Command is flying eight swift water rescue teams to Lafayette, La. The teams will provide a total of 14 highly-trained personnel with vehicles and small, rigid-hulled boats capable of rescuing stranded citizens from flooded areas.
The Navy's USS Bataan sailed to the Louisiana shore to aid in the effort. Four helicopters from the ship are "flying medical evacuation and search and rescue missions in Louisiana," according to a DHS press release. Bataan's hospital is also being used for medical assistance.
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group is preparing to sail from Norfolk, Va., loaded with disaster response equipment. ARG consists of four amphibious ships and will be off the coast of Louisiana in the next four days.
The USNS Comfort, a hospital ship, is leaving Baltimore to bring medical assistance capabilities to the Gulf region and should arrive in six days.
* The Department of Health and Human Services sent an initial shipment of 250 mobile hospital beds, which have already arrived at the Louisiana State University facility in Baton Rouge.
HHS has also placed 415 Public Health Service officers on stand-by for deployment to offer medical support.
Louisiana state officials have received 27 pallets of basic medical supplies from the HHS's Strategic National Stockpile for use at a mobile hospital at LSU in Baton Rouge.
Centers for Disease Control are working with Louisiana state officials to implement a mosquito abatement program.
* The Department of Transportation dispatched a team of 66 transportation experts to support state and local officials in the damage assessment of highways, railroads, airports, transit systems, ports and pipelines. DOT is also supporting detour planning and critical transportation system repairs.
* The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending experienced emergency response personnel. The Forest Service has assigned 10 management and logistical teams and seven crews of 20 people each to the affected areas and host communities. These resources are intended establish logistics staging areas, food distribution and debris removal.
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is providing food at shelters and mass feeding sites, issuing emergency food stamps, infant formula and food packages.
* The Department of Treasury's Internal Revenue Service announced special relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas.
* The Small Business Administration will position loan officers in federal and state disaster recovery centers.
