FEMA providing temporary athletic fields for Joplin Schools

(From FEMA)

Temporary athletic fields are being constructed as part of a federally funded mission assignment to help the Joplin Schools recover after an EF5 tornado.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Joplin Schools joined in a partnership to provide students and fans with a place to cheer on the Joplin Eagles as they celebrate victories both on the field and in the reconstruction of their city.

The project includes a high school regulation size softball, baseball, soccer field and practice football field for use by the Joplin school system.

"Coaches were extremely relieved we were taking care of their needs," said Joplin School Assistant Superintendent Dr Angie Besendorfer. "They understand that extra-curricular activities link kids to the school and that some kids depend on their athletic ability to pay for college. To us, having the fields is extremely crucial."

"Having these fields made everyone feel that we really are taking care of everything," said Dr Besendorfer.

Construction at the site began on July 31, 2011. The temporary field will be located adjacent to South Joplin Middle School, which was not damaged.

School repairs are part of a $27 million mission assignment funded by FEMA and managed by the USACE to rebuild critical facilities.

The Joplin soccer, softball and baseball programs are expected to use the fields for a few years, until permanent facilities can be established. The Joplin football stadium, Junge Field, was not damaged in the storm and football games will continue as usual

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA disaster loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY call 1-800-462-7585; or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.