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bookmark_borderMontgomery County Tropical Storm Lee Federal Distaster Assistance

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Mont. Co. Residents Who Sustained Damage From Tropical Storm Lee Also May Now Be Eligible For Individual Federal Distaster Assistance

Montgomery County residents who received damages from Tropical Storm Lee earlier this month, in addition to those who sustained damages from Hurricane Irene, may now be eligible to receive Individual Assistance now that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has added the County to its Major Disaster Declaration.

Uninsured and under-insured homeowners, renters and businesses may be eligible to receive grants for temporary housing, home repair, home replacement and permanent housing construction. They are urged to call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov for disaster assistance.

A Disaster Recovery Center staffed by federal, state and county agencies to help residents and businesses that sustained damage during the two storms is now open at the Montgomery County Public Training Campus, 1175 Conshohocken Road, Conshohocken, PA, 19428. It is highly recommended that people call the number or visit the website listed above to register before visiting the Recovery Center.

It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Saturdays and Sundays until further notice. The Recover Center includes representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, federal Small Business Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Health Department, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and Aging and Adult Services.
The Montgomery County Public Safety Department continues to pursue reimbursements for municipalities for their costs associated with the two storms.


bookmark_borderAmbler Flood and Disaster Relief

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The Pennsylvania Department Of Emergency Management has established a contact center for those affected by recent flooding in the Ambler area.

Below is a link to contact information to determine if you are eligible for relief offered by government programs.

We are looking to Oktoberfest (this Saturday, October 1st from 10am to 5pm) as an opportunity for the community to come out in masses and support the local business community.

Please make a point to come out – and bring your friends.

Among other efforts, Rosey’s BBQ (North Main Street) is doing “BBQ For The Borough” and donating a portion of their proceeds to help those affected by flooding.

Thank You.

Click For Emergency Management Disaster Assistance Form

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bookmark_borderDEP Fines First Student Inc.

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The Department of Environmental Protection Fined First Student Inc. $121,520 for Bucks County Fuel Spill

NORRISTOWN — The Department of Environmental Protection has assessed First Student Inc. and its parent company, FirstGroup America Inc., a $121,520 penalty to resolve violations associated with a November 2010 release of diesel fuel from its school bus terminal in Newtown, Bucks County.

“This incident at First Student required the emergency response of five government agencies and disrupted a water utility’s operations for six days,” Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola said. “With proper operation and maintenance of its above-ground storage tank, the company could have prevented this incident.”

On Nov. 8, 2010, a First Student employee opened a valve to drain rainwater from a containment tank that housed a 10,000-gallon leaking fuel tank. The valve remained open overnight and allowed a mixture of water and diesel fuel to run from the terminal into Newtown Creek and, eventually, into Neshaminy Creek, upstream from a public water system operated by Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.

In spite of corrective actions made by First Student, including the use of absorbent booms, vacuuming and the excavation of contaminated soil and gravel, it became necessary on Nov. 9 for Aqua PA to shut down its Neshaminy water treatment plant intake. This required the utility to maintain a drinking water supply for more than 100,000 people through interconnection, increased production and the purchase of additional water.

The incident resulted in violations of Pennsylvania’s Storage Tank Act, Clean Streams Law, Safe Drinking Water Act and Fish and Boat Code. Inspections of the facility after the Nov. 8 release revealed an ongoing lack of required tank maintenance and leak detection equipment that allowed for pollution.

First Student has paid civil penalties of $41,550 to the state’s Storage Tank Fund, $13,619 to the Clean Water Fund and $56,250 to the Safe Drinking Water Account. The company has also reimbursed DEP for $7,600 of expenses incurred in response to the release and paid $2,500 in civil damages to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us or call 484-250-5900.