Disaster Recovery Centers Announce New Hours
Release Date: December 23, 2003
Release Number: 1498-056
» More Information on California Wildfires
PASADENA, Calif. -- The five Disaster Recovery Centers operated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will close one hour earlier on weekdays, starting Friday, December 26, officials of those disaster-response agencies announced today.
The new hours of operations for all Disaster Recovery Centers will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
“This minor adjustment of the Disaster Recovery Centers’ hours of operation reflect the declining numbers of applicants visiting the centers,” said Dallas Jones, OES director and state coordinating officer for the wildfires disaster.
“Although the centers are not as busy as they were in recent weeks, we want to be sure that those who were affected by the Southern California firestorms and who still need assistance understand that the centers are still open and ready to serve them six days a week,” added FEMA’s William Carwile, III, the federal coordinating officer.
The Disaster Recovery Centers in San Diego County are:
Alpine: 1347 Tavern Rd., Suite 30, Alpine.
Julian: 2814 B Street (Fourth and B), Julian.
Scripps: Scripps Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress, San Diego.
Valley Center: 28565 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center.
The Disaster Recovery Center in San Bernardino County is located at 105 N. Leland Norton Way, Airport Terminal Bldg, San Bernardino, Calif.
The four U. S. Small Business Administration Disaster Centers will maintain the following days and hours of operation:
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.
Individuals and business owners affected by the Southern California fires who have not registered for federal disaster assistance have only until January 9, 2004, to apply.
Applicants can register by using the FEMA toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech or hearing impaired. Recovery specialists are available to take calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except December 25, 2003 and January 1, 2004 when the lines will be closed. Residents already registered for disaster assistance with FEMA can call to update their application if necessary.
Applicants may qualify for assistance under several federal and state programs. These include temporary disaster housing assistance; U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest, disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes; and grants to meet disaster--related needs not covered by other programs or insurance.
Federal and state disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate for an individual’s entire loss. For applicants and business owners who have insurance, federal and state programs may help pay for basic needs not covered by an insurance policy. Residents should contact their insurance agents in addition to calling the FEMA registration number. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of low-interest loans from the SBA.
***
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 15:46:48