The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Recovery Authority recently released $10.9 million in federal aid for Katrina-related recovery efforts at three fire stations across St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes.

The recent funding has been obligated toward the replacement of St. Bernard Fire Station #6, Plaquemines Boothville-Venice Firehouse and Plaquemines Port Sulphur Fire Station. All three fire stations are eligible for FEMA funding as replacement projects because of the extent of their storm-related damages.

“Getting our first responders back in the field has always been a recovery priority, and these funds will restore fire stations in parishes most affected by Hurricane Katrina,” said Robin Keegan, executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority.

St. Bernard Fire Station #6 will receive more than $1.1 million in additional funding toward the demolition of the existing damaged facility.

“We are very grateful for the support we have received from our partners with FEMA and from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness,” said St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro. “The funding support from FEMA has been a critical component of our recovery. We started with not a single fire station under repair when our team began work in January 2008. Today there are five completed stations and five brand new ones under construction.”

The bulk of the recent funding went toward Plaquemines Parish, with $5.1 million allocated to the parish’s Boothville-Venice Firehouse and $4.7 million to its Port Sulphur Fire Station. Both grants were provided by FEMA to align estimated costs with actual construction costs. The two Plaquemines stations are anticipated to be completed in April.

“We’re real happy with the swift response from FEMA on the additional funding for our fire stations,” said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. “The new administration has been outstanding to work with and has done a great job at responding to Plaquemines Parish’s needs.”