CHICAGO –FEMA and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) announced today the appointment of five Ohioans to the FEMA workforce to support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Columbus resident Connor Blevins, Joshua Green of Zanesville, Jeffrey Lees and Christopher Russo of Whitehall, and Bellbrook resident Prakriti Pollack were sworn-in during a ceremony over the weekend by FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Joseph P. Cirone, following opening remarks by Cirone and Laura Adcock, Ohio EMA’s Disaster Recovery Branch Chief and State Public Assistance Officer.
The five Ohioans are working as temporary workers within FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program for an initial term of employment of 120 days, which may be extended in increments of 120 days up to one year. The new employees will also have an opportunity to become FEMA Reservists or career employees.
Following initial training, they will be conducting a range of duties, including working directly with local emergency management and governmental agencies and eligible private non-profit organizations in developing, reviewing and processing requests for federal emergency grant funding to reimburse eligible expenses incurred to save lives, ensure safety and protect the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a result of President Trump’s disaster declaration for the state of Ohio on March 31, we’ve already provided more than $17.4 million to Ohio’s essential service providers for their fight against the coronavirus,” Cirone said. “We will continue providing the necessary federal resources, including grant funding, to our state and local partners so they can remain focused on the vital work of saving lives and protecting the public.”
Find more information about FEMA’s response to COVID-19 at www.FEMA.gov/coronavirus and learn more about additional job opportunities with the Agency by visiting careers.FEMA.gov.
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