Hurricane Recovery Starts with People Helping People
Release Date: October 16, 2008
Release Number: 1791-144
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike
AUSTIN, Texas -- After a disaster, sometimes you need more than a toll-free phone number. A visit by a friendly, helpful human being can make a big difference.
Teams of Community Relations specialists who work for the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fanned out across the 34 Texas counties designated for Individual Assistance under the Hurricane Ike disaster declaration.
They are going door-to-door in all the impacted neighborhoods to make sure people who suffered uninsured or underinsured damages or loss have the information they need to apply for disaster assistance by phone or online if computer access is available. Their message: To apply, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or online at www.fema.gov.
Colorful flyers in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean carry diverse messages about where to find a Disaster Recovery Center for face-to-face help, how to clean mold from a flooded house, deadlines for filing for disaster assistance. Other handouts include tri-fold brochures with more in-depth information to help disaster assistance applicants understand eligibility for federal programs and, sometimes, coloring books with disaster preparedness information.
"We use every possible avenue to get the information out to the folks who need it," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman. "We are looking for that one person who needs disaster assistance information and hasn't gotten it in any other way."
In addition to going door-to-door, the Community Relations teams continue to contact local officials, business owners and clergy. The objective is to provide resource materials to religious organizations, libraries, stores, community organizations, schools and other public gathering places.
"Our most important work is listening," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun. "We use what we learn from Community Relations to help answer questions, quell rumors and solve problems."
One specialized Community Relations team includes a bereavement specialist. This team is attempting to meet with anyone who has applied to FEMA for unmet funeral expenses for a family member who lost their life as a result of Hurricane Ike. The team explains the benefit and the documentation required.
Each of the State and FEMA Community Relations specialists who have been working on Hurricane Ike disaster recovery can share a story about what the day was like in the field. Some days, there are friendly dogs and angry applicants or vice versa. Hats and sunscreen are mandatory and the rule is always safety first.
Specialists are a diverse group, from all walks of life. Many are retired who answer the call to duty whenever and where ever a disaster is declared. What they all share is a capacity to act independently in the field and, most importantly, that ability to listen with a big heart.
State folks wear shirts with the emblem of the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management. FEMA staffers wear familiar navy blue shirts. All team members have official identification.
"Knowing that we make a difference is what matters," said a Community Relations team member. The note she treasures from this disaster: "A big thank you for helping restore lives, homes and hope."
More information about this disaster is available online at www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2008 08:35:10