Disaster Recovery Centers In San Diego, San Bernardino Counties To Permanently Close Friday, January 9
Release Date: December 31, 2003
Release Number: 1498-058
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PASADENA, Calif. -- Only one week remains for Southern California firestorm victims to apply for state and federal assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) jointly announced today.
The remaining five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in San Bernardino and San Diego counties will cease operations Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. PST. They are the San Bernardino DRC in San Bernardino County; and the Alpine, Julian, Scripps Recreation Center and Valley Center DRCs in San Diego County. The DRCs will continue to operate under normal working hours (9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday) until the Jan. 9 closing date.
“It is imperative that anyone who needs disaster assistance and has not yet registered do so now,” said William Carwile, III, FEMA federal coordinating officer for the Southern California firestorms.
Individuals and business owners affected by the Southern California wildfires who have not registered for federal disaster assistance have until January 9 to apply.
Applicants can register via FEMA’s toll-free registration phone number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for the speech- and hearing-impaired is 1-800-462-7585. FEMA representatives are available from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Residents who have already registered can update their application at that number, if necessary.
Applicants may apply for a variety of federal and state programs, including temporary housing assistance; low-interest SBA loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes; and grants to meet disaster-related needs not covered by other programs or insurance.
FEMA and state disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate for the victim’s entire loss, disaster officials noted. FEMA and state programs may help pay for basic needs not covered under the victim’s insurance policy. Victims are advised to contact their insurance agent 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.
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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 15:58:34