SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Businesses and Residents Affected by the Westminster Apartment Fire

News release shared on behalf of  SBA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Colorado businesses and residents affected by the Westminster Apartment Fire that occurred July 22, 2018, announced Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. John W. Hickenlooper, on Aug. 7, 2018.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Morgan, Washington and Weld counties.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing Colorado with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for businesses and residents affected by the disaster,” said McMahon. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 14, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Garfield continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.

ADAMS COUNTY Disaster Loan Outreach Center Mature Adult Center 3295 W. 72nd Ave. Westminster, CO  80030 Opens 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14 Mondays - Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fridays,  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3.61 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 9, 2018. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 10, 2019.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Media Release: Fatal Fire Under Investigation in Hasswell, Colorado

This media release is posted on n behalf of Kiowa County Sheriff's Office:

Public Information Officer

Contacts:

Micki Trost

Colorado DHSEM

Micki.Trost@state.co.us

303-472-4087

www.COEmergency.com | www.DHSEM.state.co.us

Casey Sheridan

Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office
(719) 438-5411 | (719) 438-2205

www.kiowasheriff.co

Media Release

Fatal Fire in Haswell Under Investigation

Haswell, Colo. –Dec. 14, 2015 – Multiple fire departments responded to a fully engulfed home at 4 a.m. today. Initial reports of an adult male inside the home were confirmed as a fatality. The home is located in the 100 block of South Main Street and is a total loss. The identity of the adult male has not been confirmed. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation arson investigator is at the home to assist with the investigation. The fire remains under investigation.

Multiple fire departments responded to the fire including Kiowa County Sheriff's Office, Eads Fire Department, Haswell Fire Department, Las Animas Fire Department and Crowley County Fire Department. The Kiowa County Coroner responded and has not positively identified the body yet.

The Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to use space heaters safely in their homes this winter. Follow these National Fire Protection Association space heater safety tips:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the space heater.
• Never use a space heater to heat your home.
• Remember to turn space heaters off when leaving a room or your home.

If a fire occurs in your home exit quickly and never re-enter for any reason. Get out and stay out. Allow emergency responders to assist you in retrieving pets or items from your home.

Updates on this incident will be posted to the Kiowa Sheriff Facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/kiowacountysheriffcolorado/?fref=ts and Twitter Account at https://twitter.com/KCSOSheridan

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Candle Safety This Holiday Season

Four of the top five days for home fires caused by candles occur during the winter holiday season.  These five days include:  Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day, Halloween and December 23.  Safety experts say that the dramatic increase on these five days is due to the use of candles in holiday decorations and the result of simple human error. 

1. Avoid using lighted candles. A safe option can be battery powered candles.
    
2. Put candles in a sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holder.
    
3. Create a safety zone around the candle free of items that can start on fire.  A three-foot safety zone is recommended as the safest practice.
    
4. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.  Children should not be allowed to use matches, lighters or candles.  Their curiosity can often lead to tragedy.
    
5. Extinguish candles when leaving the room or your home.  Never leave candles unattended.

An NFPA report on Candle Fires showed that they cause over 15,000 home fires each year.  These fires lead to more than 1,289 injures and 166 deaths.  More than half of the fires started because the candles were too close to other combustible items.  The good news is that all of these fires are preventable.  It just takes a few extra steps to ensure that you home is safe.  Visit the USFA Focus on Fire Safety website for additional information on using candles safely this winter.

Fall Back on Sound Advice: Time to Change Your Clock AND Check Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

As our nation moves back to Standard Time beginning this weekend, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.

Every year in the United States about 3,500 people die in home fires.  Most of these deaths occurred in homes that didn't have a working smoke alarm.

 Every day in the United States, needless home fire deaths occur. Working smoke alarms significantly increase your chance of surviving a deadly home fire. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.

In addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries this weekend, the USFA recommends following these simple steps to protect your life, your loved ones, and your home:

• Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries.

• Test alarms once a month using the test button.

• Replace the entire alarm if it's more than 10 years old or doesn't work properly when tested.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas.

• For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.

• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms.

• Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so that you and your loved ones can get out of your home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire and where first responders can easily see you.

For more information on smoke alarms, fire escape planning, and fire prevention, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/smokealarms.

Community Emergency Response Training (Denver CERT)

Denver

Community Emergency Response Training (Denver CERT)


What would YOU do if a disaster hit close to home or work?

What:   This disaster preparedness and response training (FEMA Course G317) will include how to plan for a disaster and teach basic response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.  At the completion of this training participants are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Why:     When a disaster hits we can’t always depend on professional responders to be immediately available. We would like to have the citizens of Denver trained to help within their own communities.

Who:     This training is open to anyone. We will accept up to 40 participants. 

When:   December 7 and 8, 2011 8:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
             Class exercise will be December 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
             All classes required for a certificate.

Where: Denver Human Service, 1200 Federal Boulevard,
             3rd Floor, Room 3109, Denver, CO

Cost:    The training will be provided at NO COST to participants.

Sponsored by: Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEM/HS); Denver Fire Department, Denver Human Services, North Center Region, Department of Homeland Security and the Organizational Management for Emergency General Activity (O.M.E.G.A.)

Course and registration information 
Contact: Carolyn H. Bluhm, OEM  or 720.865.7600.

Download the course flyer.

Does Your Fire Department Need Money?

Just in from our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Region 8, FEMA is conducting several Colorado-based Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program 2011 Training Sessions.

FEMA Region 8 Fire Program Specialist Ted Young will present training sessions about the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. Session participants will learn about how this program can help fire departments get money for needed resources including: equipment, protective gear, apparatus, training, and more. FEMA reps indicate the training lasts a couple of hours and there will be ample time for questions.

The training is free.
Attendees do not need to pre-register.

Golden CO – Monday May 23
6:30 PM Fairmount Fire Station 1, 4755 Isabell Street.

Westminster CO – Wednesday May 25
9:00 AM Westminster Fire Department Public Safety Building, 9110 Yates Street.

Berthoud CO – Wednesday May 25
6:30 PM Berthoud Fire Department Community Center Building, 275 Mountain Ave.

Grand Junction CO - Wednesday June 1
6:30 PM Grand Junction Police Department, 625 Ute Ave

Pueblo CO- Thursday June 2
6:30 PM Pueblo Fire Department, 425 W 7th

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. Visit http://www.fema.gov/firegrants or call the FEMA Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960.

A Very Personal Story about Smoke Alarms

Andy's Fire Story from South Metro Fire Rescue on Vimeo.

Thank you for sharing, Andy.

Job Announcement - City of Colorado Springs Fire Department Principal Analyst - Public Communications

The City of Colorado Springs Fire Department is hiring a Principal Analyst - Public Communications.  The position will oversee, direct and coordinate the operations and activities of the Fire Department's public/local media relations and collaborate wit the City's Public Information Officer about matters related to emergency communications.  The candidate will provide public information responses for emergency and non-emergent fire department requests; develop and implement the department's community education, community relations an communication goals/objectives; and ensure program compliance with state and other applicable governing rules, regulations and standards.

The interviews for this position will take place on or about the week of November 25, 2010.  The City of Colorado Springs application is online at http://www.springsgov.com.  The application must be received no later than 11:59 PM on November 12, 2010.

Course Announcement - Hazmat Air Monitoring - 9/21-23 - Loveland, CO

The Colorado Division of Fire Safety and Signet North America are hosting a Hazmat Air Monitoring course at the Loveland Fire Training Center from September 21-23, 2010, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

To register, call (303) 239-4600

This course is geared towards emergency response personnel who wish to acquire working knowledge and skills related to the use of and interpretation of information provided by hazardous materials air monitoring equipment. Upon completion of the course, the student will possess skills and competencies in making decisions as to selection, equip-ment limitations, interpretation of data, and sample collection for lab analysis. This class includes hands-on field exercises using skills and knowledge obtained in this course. Students will work in small groups to ensure maximum involvement and participation in the class. The experience will heavily involve live application of the material learned during this exciting 16-Hour course.

The goal of this experience is to ensure that personnel will better understand the capabilities and limitations of hazardous materials air monitoring equipment and selection resources, as well as the selection and use of different devices, interpretation of data from these devices, and field sample collections for further analysis. To that end, this experience will address standards found in the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Hazardous Materials Emergency Responder Training Level (1910.120(q)(6) as well as standards related to air monitoring found in NFPA 472. It will also address Colorado Division of Fire Safety Hazardous Materials Operations JPR #2 and #5 as well as Hazardous Materials Technician JPR #4b, #4c, #9a, and #9b.

Attendees are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN AGENCY’S MONITORING EQUIPMENT to allow for maximum immediate and long-term benefits of this experience.

DEM Mitigation Office Update - State Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Mitigation and Recovery Team hosted two planning meetings which moved the team closer to two objectives: the development of a practical and thorough recovery plan and updating the State Hazard Mitigation Plan for submission to FEMA; Both meetings took place during the morning of May 13 in the Tommy Grier Conference Room.

The Recovery Meeting, entitled Goal Leader, took a critical look at the previous recovery exercise which envisioned a tornado event in a metro area. Many snags and potential problems were discovered during the review of the exercise but, as it is the point of these exercises to discover potential problems before they are faced in a real situation the table top exercise can be considered a success. The table top exercise brought in partners who will be tasked with recovery in future disasters together and challenged them to come up with solutions to recovery problems.

The next Goal Leader meeting has been tentatively scheduled for July 22.

The Mitigation team then hosted their third meeting for the 2011 State Hazard Mitigation Plan update. This meeting focused on Consequence Analysis, a new element that has been added to the Mitigation Plan as CDEM complies with the standards of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and Risk Assessment. Consequence Analysis is an attempt to discern the impacts a potential hazard would have on the state’s emergency response and examines such things as continuity of operations, delivery of services, environment and public confidence.

Those present were then given updates on the state wide risk assessment for drought and wildfire hazards by Jeff Brislawn of AMEC and Claire Brown of the Colorado State Forest Service, respectively. Last, a group activity was organized in which participants were asked to provide their expertise and “outside the box” thinking with regard to Consequence Analysis in relation to summer weather (tornado, hail, lightning, precipitation), winter weather, flood, fire and earthquake.

For questions regarding this post or for more information on DEM's mitigation office, contact DEM's Scott Baldwin.

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery is a great annual tradition tied to the time change to help remind us to take an important step to help bolster home fire safety. As you are probably aware, tonight we Spring Forward -- which is a nice way of saying "you get to loose an hour of sleep". As annoying as the loss of sleep is, it is still a good chance to take a look at your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, change the batteries and make sure they are in good working order. Too often, these intentionally piercing devices are the first warning that something in the house is not right and you need to check it out or get out.

For more info on smoke alarms, the National Fire Protection Association has a great site for fire/home safety at http://nfpa.org and has some great videos, including the one below, on their Youtube site http://www.youtube.com/user/nfpadotorg on a variety of safety subjects.

NFPA Smoke Alarm Video



Truth is, the best protection for you and your family against a disaster are simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together. So, as the time changes this Spring, be sure to check your smoke alarm batteries, but also take a minute to develop a communications plan to ensure family members know how to get in touch with each other during an emergency, put together an emergency kit, and talk through what you or your family might do in the event of an emergency.

Information on preparing for Colorado emergencies can be found at READYColorado - http://readycolorado.gov.

State Hazard Mitigation Plan - Update and Kickoff Meeting

This morning, the Division's Mitigation Office hosted a multi-agency meeting to kick-off the massive coordination project involved in updating the State's Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The current version of the State's plan is the 2008 Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan.  These plans are updated every couple of years.  In short, they cover the breadth of known hazards present in Colorado for which the State prepares for - including from a mitigation, preparedness and response and recovery perspective.  Droughts, floods, earthquakes, landslides, wildfires and winter storms each comprise a special, targeted component of the overall Colorado plan.

Representatives from various State, Federal and non-governmental agencies sit on the Hazard Mitigation committee (see slide 3 in the kickoff meeting presentation below).  In Colorado, each local jurisdiction maintains its own Local Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plans, which are individually authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency but for which the State serves as the coordinator for submission and approval.

In any event, this was my first Hazard Mitigation Plan meeting and, after speaking with our mitigation office, got the OK to post the kick-off meeting slides to share.  The effort is remarkable in its scope, from hazard identification, to risk assessment and estimation of potential loss, to the coordination with local mitigation planning efforts to ensure the State plan is consistent and complimentary to local efforts.

This year, the push is to break new ground in integrating the disparate and varied preparedness and recovery planning efforts being maintained individually by State agencies and entities into a common risk assessment.  In short, these agencies are collaborating to make sure the math used in efforts like disaster assessment and organization are using common a common language and calculation.  Furthermore, the plan will shift from a periodically updated plan to more of a "living document" with an online committee collaboration effort here and on the Division website to support exchange of documents and forms used in preparedness and recovery actions by committee members and agencies.  It should be a busy and interesting year.