Louisiana Firm Retrofits Building for Hammond Bird Rehabilitation Facility

A Louisiana firm -- Pevey Construction LLC, of Ponchatoula -- has been selected to retrofit an existing building in Hammond, La., to become the new bird rehabilitation facility for the Unified Command's response efforts related to April's calamitous Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Work began on Monday, July 4, 2010, and major projects are expected to be completed in two to three weeks.

The Hammond bird rehabilitation facility, located in Tangipahoa Parish, will replace the Fort Jackson bird rehabilitation facility, in Plaquemines Parish. Hammond is outside of the three-phase hurricane evacuation zones, thereby minimizing the possibility of evacuations during the 2010 hurricane season -- which is already underway. All efforts are being made to complete the move to the Hammond facility before a hurricane requires an evacuation.

The new facility measures 30,000 square feet, and has the capacity to care for approximately 2,000 birds. It is located on an eight-acre campus with existing buildings in a quiet, nonresidential area.

The Fort Jackson facility in Buras, La., has more than met the needs of the Deepwater Horizon response efforts and the wildlife that has come into its care. That facility is located along the coast in a Category 1 hurricane evacuation zone, and could be subject to evacuation and damage from tropical storms or hurricanes. Plaquemines Parish will continue to be an important location for receiving, stabilizing, and transporting animals from impacted areas.

"The wildlife branch is grateful to Plaquemines Parish officials and residents for their assistance, and we appreciate their continued support as we move to a long-term facility outside of the hurricane evacuation area," said Rhonda Murgatroyd, owner and executive manager of Wildlife Response Services LLC, and BP's wildlife branch director. "We thank everyone in Plaquemines Parish and look forward to their continued assistance with the transportation and stabilization efforts."

While the Hammond bird rehab facility is not equipped to accept walk-in volunteers, those who wish to donate their time and expertise during the Deepwater Horizon response efforts can find opportunities online:
* Alabama: http://www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx
* Florida: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
* Louisiana: http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/
* Mississippi: http://www.volunteermississippi.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do

Key Contact Numbers
* Report oiled shoreline, or request volunteer information: [866] 448-5816
* Submit alternative response technology, services or products: [281] 366-5511
* Submit your vessel for BP's Vessels of Opportunity program: [866] 279-7983 or [877] 847-7470
* Submit a claim for damages: [800] 440-0858
* Report oiled wildlife: [866] 557-1401

For Additional Information...
* Download NOAA's "Hurricane Basics" handbook: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/pdf/hurricanebook.pdf.
* Track developments in the federal government's inter-agency Deepwater Response Incident: http://www.restorethegulf.gov/.

SOURCE: RestoreTheGulf.gov
____________________

Be Prepared for Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies. Order Amazon.com's Best-Selling Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160R Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger [Red] Now. [affiliate link]

SBA Partners with Agility Recovery Solutions to Provide Disaster Preparedness Tools for Business

With the June 1 start of another Atlantic hurricane season, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions are launching a new website to help small businesses develop an emergency preparedness plan before disaster hits, and reminding homeowners and renters to plan ahead as well.

"Regardless of where you live, it’s a good idea to be ready for any kind of crisis," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Every threat -- from windstorms, floods, wildfires and earthquakes, to power outages and computer system failures -- reminds us to be proactive when it comes to building strategies to survive a disaster and recover quickly. Recent disaster events demonstrate the need for preparedness to reduce the risk to life and property."

Weather experts are predicting this year’s storm season may be the most intense since 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma devastated the Gulf Coast states.

In an effort to encourage businesses to plan ahead, the SBA has teamed with Agility Recovery Solutions, a firm that has provided business continuity and disaster recovery tools to small companies for 21 years.

Today, the SBA and Agility launched the Prepare My Business website [http://www.preparemybusiness.org/]. Prepare My Business provides tips on how small-business owners can develop their own disaster preparedness plans, and features interactive tools -- such as monthly webinars on business continuity planning.

"It is critical that small businesses have a written disaster preparedness plan in place, so that they are ready to deal with the challenges that often come without notice, and get their businesses back up and running," said Administrator Mills.

Disaster preparedness for homes and businesses should include:

* A written emergency response plan. Find evacuation routes from your home or business, and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the plan beforehand. Keep emergency phone numbers handy. Business owners should designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors. Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be your "post-disaster" point of contact; i.e., a person to call to provide information on your safety and whereabouts.

* Adequate insurance. Disaster preparedness begins with having adequate insurance coverage -- at least enough to rebuild your home or business. Homeowners and business owners should review their policies to see what is not covered. Businesses should consider "business interruption insurance," which helps cover operating costs during the post-disaster shutdown period. Flood insurance is essential. To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit the website at http://www.floodsmart.gov/.

* Making copies of important records. It’s a good idea to back up vital records and information saved on computer hard drives, and store those items at a distant offsite location. Computer data should be backed up routinely. Copies of important documents should be kept in fireproof safe deposit boxes.

* A "disaster survival kit." The kit should include a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, non-perishable packaged and canned food, bottled water, a basic toolkit, plastic bags, cash, and a disposable camera to take pictures of the property damage.

In addition to the Prepare My Business site, more preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disasterassistance.

To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s websites -- Ready.gov, at http://www.ready.gov/, and Ready Business, at http://www.ready.gov/business/index.html -- or, call 1-800-BE-READY to request free materials.

The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property.

Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses and non-profits that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working-capital loan up to $2 million, even if the property was not physically damaged. To learn more about the SBA’s disaster assistance program, visit the website at www.sba.gov/disasterassistance.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

Be Red Cross Ready... Get the Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160R Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger Now! [Amazon.com affiliate link]