FEMA Technical Teams Moving To New Locations On August 31 

Release Date: August 30, 2005
Release Number: 1595-070

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Technical experts with information on how to make homes and businesses safer from disasters will be temporarily available at the following Panhandle area home improvement stores starting Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Home Depot
5309 North Davis Hwy
(Brent Lane)
Pensacola

Lowe’s
1421 Tiger Park Lane
Gulf Breeze

Home Depot
414B Mary Esther Cutoff NW
Ft. Walton Beach

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice

The technical experts are from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and have been moving to new locations on a weekly basis. As specialists in hazard mitigation, they are promoting steps people can take to reduce damage from future disasters. During the first month of operation, nearly 4,000 people have received rebuilding and mitigation information from the teams.

“This week’s events remind us all how important preparedness and mitigation can be,” said Scott R. Morris, director of Florida Long Term Recovery for FEMA. “I hope people take advantage of this opportunity to find out more about making their homes and families safer against disasters.”

The steps range from having a family plan for what to do when disaster strikes to building a “Safe Room” that protects against most hurricane and tornado winds. They also will demonstrate the specific uses of some of the hardware available at the stores, such as roofing materials, hurricane clips, and paints that protect against mold and mildew in wet environments.

Written material will be available on building Safe Rooms, minimizing damage to mobile homes, elevating homes, preventing mold and mildew, protecting against wind, buying flood insurance for financial protection, and many other topics.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 06-Sep-2005 09:57:05