What To Expect When A FEMA Inspector Comes To Your Home
Release Date: September 26, 2004
Release Number: 1555-005
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HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania residents who have applied for disaster assistance can expect to have their homes inspected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) once they have applied for disaster assistance.
Nearly 97 FEMA inspectors are now in the field and continue to visit homes in affected counties. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and insurance companies will also have inspectors in the field.
"Unfortunately, there are those who try to profit from disasters," said State Coordinating Officer David M. Sanko. "We want to make sure citizens of the Commonwealth verify the identities of inspectors and if the situation seems suspicious, please report it to police."
After applying for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired, a FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect your home. When the inspector calls, be sure to give clear, accurate directions to the damaged property, the street address and a current phone number where you can be reached. Post office boxes do not show locations.
"We are working quickly to meet the needs of those affected by the disaster," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies. "A visit by an inspector is one of the steps in the recovery process."
Here are some of the things homeowners should be aware of when a FEMA inspector arrives:
- Always insist they show an official ID. The face of the FEMA ID says "United States of America." Below is the person's photo and name. The FEMA seal and the ID's expiration date are at the bottom. On the reverse, a warning states that the ID is the property of the U.S. Government; and, if found, should be dropped in any mailbox for return to FEMA. The FEMA address is given and a barcode also appears.
- An official inspector will never ask for money.
- FEMA inspectors never use vehicles bearing a FEMA logo.
Owners and renters must show proof of occupancy such as a valid driver's license, and they will also be asked to sign some forms. Owners must also show proof of ownership.
The inspection is free. It generally takes 30-40 minutes and consists of inspecting all areas of your home. The inspector enters information into a hand-held computer that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the assistance process. The inspector cannot determine whether an applicant is eligible for assistance.
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: Monday, 27-Sep-2004 09:50:42