Damage control

Homeland Security official surveys Missoula-area fire damage

Montanans who prepare themselves and their property to better withstand a wildfire are also fortifying the nation against terrorist attack, Homeland Security Undersecretary Michael Brown said Tuesday.

"Every single thing we do to prepare for every kind of disaster helps make this country stronger," Brown said after meeting with regional wildfire managers at the Aerial Fire Depot in Missoula.

In return, the undersecretary promised Montanans continued help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency - to pay the state's mounting firefighting bills, to provide disaster loans for small businesses, and to better equip and train local fire departments.

Already, FEMA has given the state $25 million to offset this summer's firefighting costs.

But more will be needed, said state forester Bob Harrington.

"We are still working on the latest cost estimates, but the numbers are pretty scary from the state's perspective," Harrington said. "From my perspective, this is an unprecedented year - in the impact it has had on the state of Montana. And it's not over yet.

"This year has been pretty close to our Sept. 11."

On March 1, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Its continuing mission, Brown explained, is to prepare the nation for all hazards - including terrorist attacks - and to manage federal response and recovery efforts following any such event.

"When disaster strikes - whether it is a blizzard or a tornado or a forest fire, we want people to be able to take care of themselves," Brown said. "And while we may not be able to beat nature, we can beat terrorism."

Brown urged Montanans to take responsibility for their own homes and property: Clear brush away from the house. Create a defensible space. Make a plan for evacuation, and go over it with your family and neighbors. Listen to authorities, and do what they say, when it is time to evacuate.

Thousands of people in the East were unprepared during the recent blackout, he told reporters during a noontime news conference. They had no flashlights, no manual can openers, no emergency food supply, no prearranged plan for where they would go to find family members.

That's a homeland security issue, Brown said.

President Bush is insistent that FEMA be an efficient, fast-acting, effective presence whatever the disaster, the undersecretary said. "This president is not one to dawdle around. That's why our motto is to get ready, do it now and get things done."

Montana's fire season is far from over, Brown said, but FEMA has already provided eight fire management grants to help pay the cost of firefighting and support services, evacuations, emergency shelters, traffic control, security and temporary repair of damage caused by fire suppression.

Grants have been authorized for fire zones in Missoula, Mineral and Flathead counties, and for the Missouri Breaks, Robert, Wedge Canyon, Hobble, Cherry Creek and Lincoln Complex fires.

Businesses in a number of counties are also eligible for disaster loans from the Small Business Administration - if they lost significant amounts of income because of forest fires or the closure of several entrances to Glacier National Park.

The idea, Brown said, is to help a business meet payments on long-term debt, accounts payable and overhead expenses that could have been met had the wildfires not occurred. Loans are available for up to $1.5 million at 2.953 percent interest over a maximum of 30 years.

"We treat every disaster the same," he said. "The moment we have a request from a governor, the moment I get that phone call, I never hesitate. We sign that puppy and get it out to the governor."

Also in Missoula for the briefing, Gov. Judy Martz praised FEMA's response to this summer's wildfires. "They've been here for us," she said. "We have gotten everything we asked for, so far."

On Tuesday, Martz added a request, asking Brown if the state could use federal money to match FEMA's $25 million firefighting grant. Normally, a state must provide a 25 percent match from its own till.

This time, Martz wants to use other federal money recently given the state for "essential services" as the matching money. Brown promised to "take a serious look" at the request.

"We understand that every state is suffering from the economic downturn," Brown said. "And we understand that our job is not to sit in Washington, D.C., wearing green eyeshades, holding up these requests. Our job is to get you the help you need, and that is what we will do."

Reporter Sherry Devlin can be reached at 523-5268 or at sdevlin@missoulian.com

If you're interested

Businesses that suffered substantial financial and economic losses because of forest fires or the closure of Glacier National Park this summer can obtain an application for a Small Business Administration disaster loan by calling 1-800-366-6303. In addition, the agency will host town meetings in western Montana over the next two weeks. They are: in West Glacier, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Building, Glacier National Park headquarters; in Ronan, at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Center; in Kalispell, at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at the Flathead County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W.; in Thompson Falls, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, in the Community Center; in St. Mary, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, in St. Mary Lodge; and in Libby, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in City Hall. Each town meeting will be followed by two days of workshops in those same communities.

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