FEMAS Toll-Free Numbers, Disaster Recovery Centers Will Be Closed Only Christmas And New Years Days
Release Date: December 19, 2003
Release Number: 1498-054
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PASADENA, Calif. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) toll-free teleregistration numbers and five remaining Disaster Recovery Centers will maintain regular schedules throughout the holiday period, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Days.
“Except for those two Thursdays, December 25th and January 1st, our toll-free numbers and Disaster Recovery Centers will stay in operation,” said FEMA’s William Carwile, III, federal coordinating officer for the Southern California wildfires disaster.
FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the State of California currently operate five Disaster Recovery Centers. Through December 24, the hours at each will continue to be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. On December 26, hours will become 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
The Disaster Recovery Centers and their locations are:
- Alpine: 1347 Tavern Rd., Suite 30, Alpine, Calif.
- Julian: 2814 B Street (4th and B), Julian, Calif.
- San Bernardino: 105 N. Leland Norton Way, Airport Terminal Bldg, San Bernardino, Calif.
- Scripps: Scripps Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress, San Diego, Calif.
- Valley Center: 28565 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, Calif.
The four U. S. Small Business Administration Disaster Centers will maintain the following days and hours of operation through the holiday period.
- Blue Jay - Lake Arrowhead Branch Library, 27235 Highway 189, Blue Jay, Calif. Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center will close for the holidays at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 23; reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004; and remain in operation until 5:30 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2004.
- Claremont - Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road, Claremont. Calif. Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Wednesday, December 24, through Sunday, January 4, 2004. The center will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2004, at 9 a.m.
- Ramona – Ramona Community Resource Center, Health and Human Services Agency, 1521 Main Street, Ramona, Calif. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, January 23, 2004; closed Christmas and New Year’s days.
- Ventura - Citrus Room, Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark, Calif. Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed for the holidays on December 25, 2003, through Friday, January 2, 2004. The center will reopen for two days only on Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January 9, 2004.
"The January 9, 2004, registration deadline is approaching quickly," said Dallas Jones, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery. "It's imperative that individuals or businesses who suffered losses due to the wildfires and haven't registered for assistance to do so now if they are interested in federal and state disaster assistance."
To register or to obtain answers to questions about an application, call the toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free number for persons with hearing or speech-impairments is TTY 1-800-462-7585. Other than Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when they will not be staffed, the lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Federal and state disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate for an individual’s entire loss. Applicants should contact their insurance agents in addition to calling the FEMA registration number.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California’s readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused emergencies, and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
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, 15-Jan-2004 15:09:04