The Department Of Homeland Security Makes Preparations For Hurricane Frances
Release Date: September 2, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-148
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is pre-positioning personnel and supplies to ensure readiness to provide immediate emergency assistance when Hurricane Frances makes landfall. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating activities of other federal departments and with state agencies to prepare for a possible rapid response to the current Category 4 strength storm.
Nearly three weeks ago, FEMA responded to Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane that ripped through south, west and central parts of Florida with winds up to 145 miles-per-hour. FEMA is fully committed to the recovery effort and continues to work closely with state of Florida, local governments affected and private sector organizations to help the victims of Hurricane Charley. Throughout this Presidentially declared disaster from Hurricane Charley, FEMA, the State of Florida and local officials, emergency managers and citizens have functioned in a unified fashion to meet the needs of victims. FEMA has the resources to continue this recovery effort even if Hurricane Frances makes landfall and requires federal assistance.
The following activities are being conducted to prepare for the Hurricane Frances:
- The FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team is activated at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
- Daily video conference calls are being conducted among various components of Homeland Security, the possible affected states, other federal partners, and the Homeland Security Council.
- FEMA's emergency teams and resources are being deployed and configured for coordinated response to Hurricane Frances. This includes pre-staging critical commodities such as ice, water, meals, and tarps in various strategic locations to be made available to residents of affected areas.The National Disaster Medical System and Urban Search and Rescue assets are activated for immediate deployment as needed, as well as the staging of FEMA's Mobile Emergency Response Systems units.
- Preparations are being made for Disaster Field Offices and Disaster Recovery Centers to be established in the hardest hit areas within 72 hours after a federal declaration. This will allow impacted residents to receive disaster assistance as soon as possible.
- All the National Processing Service Centers (NPSCs) are fully staffed and ready to register and process disaster assistance applications immediately. The Internal Revenue Service has provided additional operators to support teleregistration operations.
- Temporary housing solutions are being identified for residents who may require housing assistance as a result of the storm.
- Homeland Security and FEMA are working with the American Red Cross and other volunteer agencies to ensure sheltering and critical needs are met immediately.
- Homeland Security is encouraging citizens living in the areas of projected impact to take precautions immediately by reviewing emergency communications plans, stocking up water and non-perishable food, storing additional ice in the freezer, and checking batteries in a battery-powered radio so that instructions provided by local emergency management officials may be heard and followed. Most importantly, if ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 02-Sep-2004 10:59:47