FEMA Community Relations Specialists In Hinds County
Release Date: June 4, 2008
Release Number: 1764-004
» More Information on Mississippi Severe Storms and Tornadoes
CLINTON, Miss. -- A team of community relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be working with people affected by the tornadoes in Hinds County.
The team will be canvassing the community to give people information about FEMA, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration programs that can help with temporary housing needs, repairs, low-interest loans and expenses not covered by insurance.
Community relations staff personnel are the eyes and ears for FEMA in the field. They go door-to-door, talking to people about their damage or loss and informing the public about state and federal assistance that is available to them.
Foremost, they encourage applicants to jump start the recovery process by registering with FEMA by contacting the agency's toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or online at the agency's website at www.fema.gov. Those with speech or hearing impairments may use the TTY line at 1-800-462-7585.
"We're getting the message out to register,'' said Betty Ivey, FEMA's assistant external affairs officer for community relations. "A lot of folks think that if they talk to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army that they're registered, but that's not the case.''
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: Monday, 09-Jun-2008 09:13:54