The President yesterday issued an emergency declaration for the State of New Jersey and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in connection with the fires and explosions in the State of New York on September 11, 2001.

The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, as authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to pay 100 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures undertaken in response to the fires and explosions at the World Trade Center. The emergency assistance is available for all 21 counties in the State of New Jersey.

Joe M. Allbaugh Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), named Peter Martinasco as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.