City crews will begin emergency cleaning and sanitizing next week for the most vulnerable homeowners, Mayor Mike Duggan announced July 8 at his news briefing.

Eligible residents include homeowners with a City poverty tax exemption (Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program, HPTAP) and owners who are over 65, disabled or in a household with children ages 10 and under.  Individuals who are eligible should call (313) 267-8000.

FEMA begins flood damage assessment in Detroit

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (left) and Chief Operations Officer Hakim Berry (second from right) met with FEMA representatives on Detroit’s east side July 8. The team of 20 will tour Detroit neighborhoods to assess flood damage.

State and City leaders working to get quick disaster declaration

City of Detroit and State of Michigan officials are working to get a Presidential disaster declaration. Mayor Mike Duggan discussed the flood situation when he met with President Joe Biden last weekend in Traverse City. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also plans to submit the FEMA application for Wayne and Washtenaw counties early next week.

The FEMA Assessment team is in Detroit now to determine whether disaster conditions exist. The President will then make a determination of disaster.

If a major disaster is declared, FEMA funds are unlocked and can be used for payments to help offset residents’ losses.

Residents Encouraged to Submit Claims, Begin Cleaning Now

Residents with property damaged by flooding should file a claim with the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD). Those claims also may be filed with FEMA if a presidential declaration of disaster is issued.

Losses should be documented with photos of the flood damage and receipts related to cleaning and repairs. Homeowners should file a claim with their insurance company immediately. Under state law, residents have 45 days to file a claim with DWSD. The deadline is August 10.

Residents can start the process by using the Improve Detroit app or by calling (313) 267-8000 for assistance.  The claim process is only for Detroit residents.

City officials also are encouraging residents to clean and sanitize their basements now rather than waiting for a Presidential disaster declaration, which could take weeks.

Flood Cleanup Efforts Continue

City of Detroit officials are reminding residents in flood-damaged areas that crews will continue to pick up debris at the curb, and no blight tickets will be issued in those affected areas. Residents also are encouraged to move vehicles on the street away from large piles.

Cleanup crews include City workers, Advanced Disposal and GFL employees and emergency contractors.

Detroit landlords are being reminded of their responsibility in moving debris to the curb, cleaning and sanitizing flood-damaged areas in their properties and ensuring that the hot water tank and furnace are working properly.

Starting July 20, BSEED will begin inspections and issue fines for $250 a day to landlords who fail to respond.

If Detroit receives a Presidential disaster declaration:

Volunteer to Help Our Neighbors

The City of Detroit has received numerous requests for assistance and still needs volunteers to help remove damaged items from basements of senior citizens and disabled residents. Volunteers work four-hour shifts. To sign up as a volunteer, go to bit.ly/DetroitFloodVolunteer.

Mayor Duggan, Fire Commissioner Eric Jones and Detroit Fire Fighters Association (DFFA) President Thomas Gehart today announced a labor agreement that provides pay increases for all members, combines contracts for EMS and firefighters, and includes 42-hour work week. The agreement between the City and the DFFA runs for five years and affects 1118 DFFA members.

The five-year agreement provides:

• 3% annual raises for DFFA employees
• 10% for Firefighters with Paramedic License and who work on ambulances
• 4% increase for Firefighter/EMT classification
• 2% increase for employee possessing a paramedic license
• 1% increase for employee possessing EMT license
• Shortened work week from 49 to 42 hours to reduce stress among employees

Under the contract, DFFA members are offered EMT training by the City. Training days are built into the work schedule without affecting members availability to respond to emergencies. As of today, 779 firefighters at 33 fire companies are taking medical runs. The raises in this agreement compensate for the additional work and skill.

City and Detroit Fire Fighters Association officials announce details of a new five-year agreement for firefighters and EMTs. The agreement was announced during the Mayor’s news briefing July 8.  The agreement, ratified by union members, now goes to Detroit City Council for its approval.

City Offers At-Home COVID Vaccines to Eligible Detroiters

The City of Detroit is now scheduling at-home vaccinations for any Detroit resident age 12 and up.

The at-home vaccinations are the latest in the City’s ongoing efforts to provide residents with the COVID-19 vaccine.  Those efforts included visiting homeless shelters, senior buildings and other assisted living facilities, as well as providing access for disabled residents and those without their own transportation and doing door-to-door outreach and education.

To schedule an at-home vaccination appointment, call (313) 230-0505.