**FEMA Director Joseph Allbaugh Interview (NY1 News).**

NY1 News

December 6, 2001

**John Schiumo:** Well, earlier today, I sat down with Joe Allbaugh, the
director of the Federal Emergency Agency to discuss a range of issues,
starting with FEMA's role at the epic center site eighty-seven days now
after the attack.

**FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh:** We are still providing that
coordinating, facilitating role that we started on Day 1. We have many
people working there - fire, police, port authority individuals, and
construction workers. I tell you I am so proud to be an American and
proud of New Yorkers - the way they responded to this. But, our role is
has been, all along, to make sure New York has what it needs. I think
there have not been any unmet needs, thus far. We're lucky to be here.
We will be here for the long term. We are moving our disaster assistance
service center from the Family Service Center down to the disaster
assistance service at Worth Street. I want individuals here in New York
City to know that we will be here for the long term.

**Schiumo:** What was your last visit to the site and how has it changed
physically, but also emotionally?

**Allbaugh:** I was here about three weeks ago. A dramatic difference.
We are now up over 700,000 tons (of debris) that have been removed. We
are now 4 or 5 levels down in certain areas of Trade Center Tower 1.and
2. It is a very emotional site. It's hallowed ground to all of us.
People do not walk around making a lot of noise, yelling or screaming.
They realize that that ground will be revered forever. For me, there
were a lot of friends that I Iost, personally, in the Trade Center, as
many New Yorkers did. It is something that I don't think anyone should
ever go through again, and quite frankly, I don't we will ever forget or
ever should forget September 11.

**Schiumo:** Your Urban, Search and Rescue team mobilized immediately
after the towers collapsed. The teams came in from all over the country.
The last Urban, Search and Rescue team left Oct 7, but FEMA didn't
leave. How has your agency's role changed over the last 12-plus weeks?

**Allbaugh:** Well, we are now moving into the recovery phase. We work
very closely with city officials, state officials, to help plan the
rebuilding stage. What I'm most concerned about right now is making sure
we have touched every family member who lost a loved one and also those
individuals who lost their jobs as a result of the tragedy on the
11^th^. They should call our 800 number. I'm hearing personally that
these folks are about to be evicted out of their homes. I'd make sure
that they are aware of a program - it's a Mortgage and Rental Assistance
Program that can help individuals up to 18 months with their rental
payments. There is nothing more cherished in American life, than having
a place of your own. I want to make sure that people call that 800
number, which is 800-462-9029. (*Tele-registration graphic displayed*).
That's the first step to understanding whether or not they qualify for
that program. A lot people are not aware of the program and it is a very
important program. So, we won't have to worry about it, every time the
first of the month comes around, where their mortgage payment is going
to come from.

**Schiumo:** What are the general guidelines for who qualifies? I know
there has been a lot of confusion over the past couple of weeks.
Everything is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Some are eligible, so
are not. Are their specific guidelines for this disaster assistance?

**Allbaugh:** There are guidelines. Basically, what you have to do is
bring your proof residence, driver's license, birth certificate, and
place of employment. We need to make sure that, in some way, you have
been impacted as a result of this tragedy. That's basically the only
test. That's why it is a case-by-case review. A lot of people have been
reluctant to call our 800 number. Emotionally, they are not ready. It is
an acknowledgement of bringing closure to a certain part of their lives.
A lot of folks do not want government help. I understand that. They feel
it's a form of welfare. I want all New Yorkers to know and understand
the government exists to help individuals who are in need. A lot of
people have gone through their own personal checking and savings
accounts. They do not where else to turn. So, I would urge New Yorkers
to call that 800 number and get registered to see if we can help, along
with other state city agencies.

**Schiumo:** How many people, so far, have registered for disaster
assistance and how much money has been approved?

**Allbaugh:** We are well up over 46,000 registrants. Which, I think we
have a way's to go. That's still a low number in my mind.

**Schiumo:** Is that for New York only? Or is that for all the ...?

**Allbaugh:** That's for New York City and the surrounding states as
well.

**Schiumo:** Okay

**Allbaugh:** Yes. For ... as a result of the New York City incident -
World Trade Center. We have spent about \$196 million immediately on the
street to help people with their everyday living needs. We have over
\$20 million just in disaster housing assistance needs that we have met.
I think those numbers will grow as time goes on and we get beyond the 87
days where we are right now. We are here for the long term. Everyone
needs to understand that. That's why I come periodically back to remind
everyone that FEMA is not gone away. Our USAR people did go home. New
York City's finest - the police, port authority officials, fire
department - have done yeomen duty. We were here a short period of time
to help them and now they are carrying on the burden.

**Schiumo:** There has been some concern here from New York City and New
York State lawmakers that the money pledged from the Bush administration
will not be there in full next year. It's been no secret that is a
concern of some of the lawmakers here. You are no stranger to Mr. Bush,
the president. You, in fact, were the national campaign chair for
Bush-Cheney 2000. You have known Mr. Bush well before that as well. You
were running his campaign when he ran for governor in Texas. Will the
money be here next year? Can you speak on behalf ... ?

**Allbaugh:** I think the money will be here next year. One thing I do
know after working with this individual, George Bush, for over eight
years now, is that his word is his bond. You can take him at face value.
And, I'm not sure tall of the money, \$15 million or so, that everyone
says that New York City is not going to get right now \-- quite frankly,
we can not spend - or \$15 billion - we can not spend that money right
now, even if we had the money. I think everyone should kind of take a
big breath; the money will be there. But, I think also, it is incumbent
upon we - FEMA, other federal agencies, New York City and the state - to
figure how we are going to spend this money in the most efficient way.
The money will be there.

**Schiumo:** Homeland Security in the final minute that we have
together. Homeland Security is now one of the top concerns, I guess, of
your agency. How is that going to change, how is the homeland security
issue going to change over the next several years?

**Allbaugh:** Fortunately, Governor Tom Ridge and I have a very
long-term relationship as well. He is a great a individual. The
president made remarkable decision when he selected Tom Ridge. We are
working right now, crafting a plan, we will be better prepared as a
nation, state and local entity - better prepared when an incident like
this happens. Hopefully, we can put in place practices that will prevent
any disaster like this ever happening again.

**Schiumo:** Joe Allbaugh, director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, thank you so much for joining us. We are going to leave viewers
with that phone number once again (*tele-registration graphic
displayed*). It is 800-462-9029. You can always go to the web site too,
its very easy - fema.gov. Joe Allbaugh, director of FEMA, thank so much
for joining us.