FEMA Transitional Recovery Office Opens in Montgomery 

Release Date: June 9, 2006
Release Number: 1605-213

» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Even as the 2006 hurricane season is underway, work continues to provide assistance and services to Hurricane Katrina survivors in Alabama. As a result, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) opened a joint Transitional Recovery Office (TRO) in Montgomery. Effective June 6, 2006, the TRO replaces the Joint Field Office (JFO) that has been in operation since last hurricane season.

Gil Jamieson, FEMA Deputy Director of Gulf Coast Recovery, named Jeff Byard Montgomery TRO Director. Mr. Byard served as Recovery Branch Chief for Alabama's Emergency Management Agency for four years. His service includes leading, coordinating and directing recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina. Byard is a native Alabamian and a U.S. veteran, having served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps where he was an Infantry Squad Leader during Operation Desert Storm. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Human Resources from Troy University.

"It is so important that Alabamians and Katrina evacuees from other states know that we are still here for them," says Byard. "FEMA and our state emergency counterparts will be working together and will be in Alabama for as long as it takes to get everyone back on their feet and help them prepare for what may lie ahead this hurricane season."

The new leadership team and approximately 180 FEMA disaster employees are housed in the same facility that was home to the Katrina JFO. They will work closely with state and local officials to continue administering assistance programs to individuals, businesses and municipalities still in the recovery process. In addition to advising communities in their long term recovery plans, FEMA will continue to provide technical advice on mitigation and preparedness to better weather future storms.

To date, Hurricane Katrina assistance in Alabama has topped $630 million, with $126,320,284 going to individuals and families.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 09-Jun-2006 11:01:58