Parlette disappointed by FEMA denial of additional wildfire-victim assistance

 

State Sen. Linda Evans Parlette says she is disappointed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sticking by its earlier decision to deny financial assistance to individual victims of this summer's wildfires in North Central Washington.

"There are many whose lives were turned upside down and could benefit from a hand up – not a handout – from the government as they work to move forward," she said in a statement. "There is only so much the state can do, so the federal government's stance is frustrating, especially considering the number of fires that involved national-forest land." said.

Parlette, R-Wenatchee, serves the 12th Legislative District, which covers more of Washington than any other legislative district. It includes Chelan County, site of the Coles Corner and Mills Canyon fires, and much of Okanogan County, including the site of the majority of the Carlton Complex fire – the largest wildfire in state history.

In mid-August President Obama issued a disaster declaration allowing federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in Okanogan County and the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation. No assistance was extended to individual victims, however.

Parlette, whose response included help arranging emergency state funding to repair the fire-damaged Pateros school-gymnasium roof, took part in the state's effort to appeal the FEMA decision, She received word Tuesday night from Congressman Doc Hastings' state director that Washington's request on behalf of individual victims had been rejected.

"The governor's office and I along with our Washington, D.C. delegation worked hard to make the case that assistance should be extended to 'affected individuals and families,' as FEMA calls them," Parlette said.

"Anyone who saw the wildfire devastation in person and heard directly from the victims, as I did, would understand the need for that additional federal assistance," she said. "I sent a letter to Washington, D.C. that painted a picture of the situation facing many victims, however, I was not able to convince the decision-makers to come and see for themselves."

The governor's office responded to the FEMA rejection by saying it will convene an Okanogan Recovery Task Force to look at providing assistance; also, FEMA has organized a team to assess housing needs. Both gestures are welcome, said Parlette, who will now connect with the governor's office and Okanogan County officials to discuss the next steps in helping people rebuild their lives.

"All of us were hoping the federal government could do more," she said, "but I have faith that our region and its people will still find ways to bounce back."