Latest news with #FEMA-certified
Los Angeles Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
What to Know Before Hiring a Contractor After a Wildfire
After a wildfire, one of the biggest concerns for homeowners is how to rebuild quickly and at the lowest cost. While some contractors may offer honest deals or discounts to wildfire survivors out of goodwill, it's crucial to remain cautious about scammers who may try to take advantage of their vulnerable state after the natural disaster. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from scams, ensure your contractor is qualified, and get your project started correctly. A qualified design or architectural professional must clearly define the proposed project. You should first review your insurance policy and file a claim to understand the type of payout you may receive, as well as any applicable limits or conditions that affect your rebuild or rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the damage to your home or property, contractors may need to hire other professionals to address complex soil conditions, foundation work, or mechanical, structural, or electrical needs. Disasters often lead to a surge in unlicensed or fraudulent contractors preying on eager homeowners. Always verify licenses on the California Contractor State License Board (CSLB) website to ensure your contractor is licensed, insured, and bonded. Contracting without a license in a declared disaster area is a felony under California law. Contractors should also obtain permits for building once their plans are ready and file their project with the city. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), home improvement scams are among the most financially damaging for consumers. Contractors may not request more than $1,000 or 10% of the job total (whichever is less) before starting work. Watch out for unsolicited workers who show up without identification, making door-to-door offers in areas near wildfires that may not have been completely burned down. For homeowners undertaking a complete rebuild, be wary of 'too good to be true' pricing or high-pressure sales tactics. Avoid contractors claiming to be FEMA-certified or requesting personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank details. FEMA does not certify contractors. Take your time and do extensive research before hiring a contractor. Aim to get at least three estimates for comparison. Visit Yelp or Google reviews to look up ratings, complaint history, and customer comments for contractors near you. Contractors may also specialize in different types of properties or work at various stages of the rebuild. Check with the firm to see if they are using subcontractors or if they have suggestions for other reliable professionals who can help with the cleanup and rebuild process. Specific specialties or services could include smoke damage restoration, debris removal, or complete fire damage rebuilds. A detailed, written contract is a must for any work completed on your property. Read everything carefully, and if you don't understand any part, consider having a legal expert or trusted advisor review it for clarity. The contract should include: Never sign a blank contract, and always keep a copy for your records. Your contract should also specify how to handle changes in work scope or unexpected costs. You should never pay the entire amount upfront for a building project. Property owners should pay as progress is made throughout a construction project and avoid using cash. Never wire money or use gift cards or reloadable debit cards. These are untraceable and often used by scammers. Follow the CSLB rule: no more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. Then, make the final payment only when the job is complete and satisfactory. If you run into problems with a contractor, you can hire legal services to recoup financial losses or sue for breach of contract. Warn other customers with reviews online. You can also report fraud and bad business practices or initiate investigations by:
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Live in the Big Country? FEMA might pay half for your storm shelter
BIG COUNTRY, Texas () — A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant may offer a 50% rebate for installing a safe room or storm shelter at your house. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA has funded the West Central Texas Individual Safe Room Program through a grant. This program provides a 50% rebate up to $3,000 for installing a FEMA-certified safe room or storm shelter. Weathering The Storm in the Big Country Before installation, homeowners must submit an application and receive approval from the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG). Click here to learn more. The program includes the following counties: Brown County Callahan County Coleman County Comanche County Eastland County Fisher County Haskell County Jones County Kent County Knox County Mitchell County Nolan County Runnels County Scurry County Shackelford County Stephens County Stonewall County Taylor County Throckmorton County Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PETA slams Mayor Bass, city for 'disastrous failure' to animals after Palisades Fire
The Brief PETA is calling out Mayor Karen Bass and city officials for their "disastrous failure to save animals after the Palisades Fire." In a new video, PETA claims the city wouldn't allow a PETA team into the fire zone to rescue animals. Bass' office says the city, with help from the ASPCA and other organizations, has rescued more than 1,000 animals. LOS ANGELES - A new video from PETA calls out Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials for what they called their "disastrous failure to save animals after the Palisades Fire." The organization claims the city turned away one of their teams offering to rescue animals, but the city says Los Angeles Animal Services and other organizations have rescued more than 1,100 animals from the Palisades Fire burn area. What they're saying PETA criticized what it called a lack of preparedness for the fire, and a slow response to helping animals left behind in the wake of the Palisades Fire. They claim that pets were left out in the rubble for weeks before the city did anything about it. "Many animal companions who survived the fires wandered the rubble for weeks, terrified, hungry, and alone, while L.A. Animal Services ignored their families' desperate pleas for help saving them," said PETA Director of Outreach Ashley Byrne. SUGGESTED: Trump tariffs could raise price of rebuilding for Eaton, Palisades fire victims The organization also claimed that the city turned them away when they offered to send a team into the burn zone to rescue animals. "We had a FEMA-certified disaster response team ready to go in and save animals," said Simone Reyes, Vice President of Social Compassion in Legislation, which worked with PETA. The other side Bass' office responded to PETA's claims on Thursday. In a statement to FOX 11, the office said that Los Angeles Animal Service worked with several other organizations including Social Compassion in Legislation, which was included in PETA's video, to rescue more than 1,000 animals in the area. "More than 1,000 animals have been reunited with their owners and work continues to reunify the remaining animals, or to find them new homes," the statement said, in part. What's next Now, PETA is demanding the city come up with a emergency plan specifically to help animals before another disaster. The Source Information in this story is from a press release and PSA from PETA and a statement from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office to FOX 11.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Deputies in Lawrence Co. participate in railcar incident response training
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said deputies recently participated in a training response seminar to enhance their abilities in responding to railcar incidents. According to LCSO, Lieutenant Long, Lieutenant Breland and Sergeant Carlton from the Patrol and Special Services Divisions attended the Rail Car Incident Response course, hosted by Homeland Security and the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC). Because of the large railway in the county, deputies can specialize in this training to help them better understand how to respond to these types of accidents. 'This specialized training enhances our ability to respond effectively to rail-related emergencies and protect both our residents and the environment,' LCSO said. You can read what the course entailed below. This 8-hour, DHS/FEMA-certified course (AWR 147) is a tuition-free program designed to equip emergency responders in rural communities with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle freight rail incidents safely and effectively. With a railway extending across Lawrence County, it is critical that our Deputies understand the potential dangers and complexities of rail car emergencies. This training ensures that deputies are well-prepared to assess and respond to such incidents while prioritizing safety. The safety of our community is our top priority and ensuring that our deputies receive top-tier training is a crucial part of that mission. This specialized training enhances our ability to respond effectively to rail-related emergencies and protect both our residents and the environment. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office remains committed to continuous training and preparedness efforts, ensuring that our deputies have the expertise and resources necessary to serve and protect the community. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
