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MORE RECOVERY INFO

Mountain View News Saturday, March 22, 2025

FEMA HIRING LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT 
WILDFIRES RECOVERY

LOS ANGELES – FEMA has launched a hiring process to continue its support of California’s 
recovery from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles County.

California residents who are interested in a temporary position with FEMA and a variety of 
emergency management functions can apply through USAJobs.gov. Applicants will be called 
for interviews, and those hired will join a recovery team already in place, composed of local 
and federal workers, voluntary agencies, and community organizations.

The following departments have positions available in Los Angeles County: Acquisitions, 
Civil Rights, External Affairs, Disaster Field Training Operations, Hazard Mitigation, Human 
Resources, Individual Assistance, Interagency Recovery Coordination, Information 
Technology, and Public Assistance and Planning.

Working for the federal government has many perks, including excellent benefits, flexible 
work schedules, opportunities for professional growth, stability, and lateral movement 
across agencies.

Interested applicants can visit USAJobs.gov to apply. For questions about a position or if you 
need additional information, please email: FEMA-DR4856-LocalHire@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, 
national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, 
membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or 
other non-merit factor. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during any part 
of the hiring process, should contact FEMA-DR4856-LocalHire@fema.dhs.gov. Determinations 
on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol 
page and at FEMA's YouTube account. For preparedness information follow the Ready 
Campaign on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.gov or on the Ready Facebook page.


SUBMIT DEBRIS REMOVAL RIGHT OF ENTRY 
FORMS BY MARCH 31 

 

LOS ANGELES – In order to have debris removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 
a Right of Entry form (ROE) must be submitted to the County by the property owner. 
There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE. The deadline for ROE form 
submittal is March 31, 2025.

Debris cleanup for the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County began in January. FEMA 
assigned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USACE to survey, remove, and 
dispose of debris from properties burned by the wildfires.

As part of this effort, Los Angeles County established a Debris Removal website with information 
and resources for fire-impacted residents to learn more about the debris clearance process. 
In Phase 1 of the process, which was completed on February 25, the EPA removed hazardous 
household materials (HHM) from private property. No action from the property owner was 
required for Phase 1 to be completed. HHM removal associated with properties where structural 
hazards precluded safe entry were deferred to USACE.

Phase 2, conducted by USACE, consists of structural debris removal and requires an ROE 
form completed by the property owner, which is provided on the county website and available 
at Disaster Recovery Centers. Free private property debris removal by USACE is only available 
if the eligible property owner opts in by completing and submitting the ROE form. The ROE 
form is an agreement where property owners accept the conditions of participation in the 
debris removal program and give permission for USACE to access their property for cleanup 
activities.

Signing up for the debris removal program via the ROE does NOT impact a property owner’s 
eligibility to apply for other FEMA disaster assistance If a property owner opts out of the USACE 
debris removal program, they become responsible for all permits, inspections and other 
associated debris removal requirements and costs.

Coverage for debris and hazardous tree removal may be provided through your insurance 
policy. For information about insurance reimbursement, visit pages 3 and 4 on the ROE form.

What is the Debris Removal Program?

The Debris Removal Program has two phases: removal of HHM followed by removal of other 
fire-related debris and trees that are deemed a hazard or that a certified arborist determines are 
dead or likely to die within five years due to the fire.

Phase 1: Removing Hazardous Materials

On January 16, teams of experts from EPA and California’s Department of Toxic Substances 
Control began assessing properties in the burn areas to remove any HHM that could pose a 
threat to human health and the environment such as lithium-ion batteries, paint, cleaners and 
solvents, oils and pesticides. This phase was automatic and completed at no cost to residents. 
EPA only removed hazardous materials. Examples of devices that contain lithium-ion batteries 
removed in Phase 1 and include: electric/hybrid vehicles, power tools, power banks, home 
alarms, drones, and tablets.

Phase 1 was completed on February 25. While most properties were cleared of HHM during 
Phase 1, some have been deferred to Phase 2 due to access and safety challenges. For more 
information, please visit: 2025 California Wildfires | US EPA

Phase 2: Debris Removal

On February 11, USACE, at the direction of FEMA, began removing fire-damaged metal, ash, 
and other general fire debris from residential properties. USACE will also remove foundations 
if property owners have opted to include foundation removal on the ROE. The collection of 
ROEs is a critical component of recovery operations because work cannot begin until a property 
owner opts into the program by submitting a completed form to the County. The ROE 
forms are available on the County’s website LA County Recovers.

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol 
page and at FEMA's YouTube account. For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign 
on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.gov or on the Ready Facebook page.

California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-Force 
Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process. Visit CA.gov/LAFires for up-to-date information 
on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and how to apply for assistance.

PROTECT YOUR FEMA ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY 
AND APPLY NOW

If your home or personal property was damaged by the Los An-geles County wildfires 
or straight-line winds between Jan. 7 – Jan. 31, 2025, you may be eligible for FEMA 
disaster assistance.

Individuals who are uncertain about their eligibility for FEMA assistance, are awaiting insurance 
claim settlements, or do not currently have unmet needs but may in the future are 
strongly encouraged to apply for FEMA Individual Assis-tance by the March 31 deadline.

Filing an application ensures that if your insurance claim is denied, you are under-insured, or 
your insurance claim does not cover your losses, you may still be eligi-ble to receive FEMA 
assistance.

Only one application for FEMA disaster assistance may be filed per household. If you apply 
and are told that you have already applied, confirm with members of your household that no 
one else has applied for assistance on your behalf.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Helpline immediately at 1-800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster 
Recovery Center. FEMA’s security team will stop any fraudulent applications and investigate 
potential duplication. FEMA staff will be able to assist the survivor and ensure they 
receive the assistance they qualify for.

Monday, March 31, is the last day to apply for FEMA disaster assistance – this deadline will 
not impact applications that have already been started.

How To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

On the FEMA App.

By calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, give FEMA 
your number for that service. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Lines are 
open Sunday–Saturday, from 4 a.m.- 10 p.m. Pacific Time.

At a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator.

For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Three Ways 
to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

FEMA ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVORS WITH 
INSURANCE COVERAGE

Underinsured Los Angeles County wildfire survivors may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance, 
which is intended to meet the basic needs of your household for damages directly caused by the disaster. 
FEMA cannot dupli-cate insurance payments, but it may be able to help where insurance cannot.

What should I know about FEMA assistance if I have insurance?

You must tell FEMA about all the insurance coverage you have when you apply for assistance. This 
includes homeowners, renters, vehicle, mobile home, medical, burial, and other insurance coverages. 
FEMA cannot pay for costs that your insur-ance covers, so you must file a claim with your insurance 
company right away to determine what you are eligible for and what you may still need assistance 
with.

You may be eligible now or later for FEMA Individual Assistance if:

You were denied insurance by your insurance company.

Your insurance claim has been settled and you can demonstrate to FEMA that your insurance 

 didn’t cover your losses.

Your insurance claim is delayed.

You don’t have Additional Living Expenses (ALE)/Loss of Use (LOU) cov-erage or can 

 demonstrate you have exhausted your ALE/LOU benefits

How can FEMA help if my insurance claim is delayed?

 In some cases, FEMA may be able to provide assistance while you are waiting for your insurance 
settlement. 

 If it has been 30 days or more since you filed your insurance claim and you have received no 
funds, please contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

 You also may be eligible for an insurance advance payment from FE-MA. These funds are considered 
a loan if insurance funds become available and must be repaid to FEMA once you receive 
your settlement from your insurance company.

What if I still need help after getting money from my insurance?

 In some cases, FEMA may help pay for costs your insurance does not cover. If you still need assistance, 
send FEMA a copy of the documents you received from your insurance company immediately. 
Documents to submit may include:

Insurance settlement information.

Insurance denial letter, including a denial because damage did not exceed the policy deductible.

Proof of lack of insurance, such as a policy with an exclusion for specific causes of damage.

How can I submit documents?

Upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Mail to: FEMA

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.

Fax to 1-800-827-8112.

Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To locate a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator.

You can always call 1-800-621-3362 with questions or for more information about navigating the 
FEMA process.

How long do I have after applying for FEMA assistance to provide an insurance settlement, denial, 
or policy?

FEMA must receive an insurance settlement or denial within 60 days from the date on FEMA letters 
requesting insurance documentation. even after the application deadline has passed, active applications 
can be updated with insurance details. to find out more about deadlines or to check the status of 
up-loaded documents, you can call 1-800-621-3362.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com