Inspectors Visiting District Homes To Check Damages Caused By Hurricane Isabel
Release Date: October 3, 2003
Release Number: 1493-15
» More Information on District of Columbia Hurricane Isabel
Washington, DC -- District of Columbia 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.
FEMA inspectors are now in the field and continue to visit homes in affected jurisdictions. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and insurance companies will also have inspectors in the field.
"FEMA placed inspectors in the field the day after the District received its presidential disaster declaration," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "We want to quickly get assistance to eligible applicants to help with their recovery and a visit by an inspector is one of the first steps in that process."
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.
"These inspectors are here to assist residents in their recovery process by verifying their damages and reporting that data back to the appropriate agencies," said Peter LaPorte, director of D.C. Emergency Management Agency.
Mr. LaPorte cautioned residents to be sure that anyone they invite into their homes to inspect damages represents District or Federal disaster assistance programs. "Check their identifications thoroughly and report any misrepresentations or concerns to 311, the Metropolitan Police Department non-emergency phone number, he said."
Here are some of the things homeowners should be aware of when an inspector arrives:
- Always insist they show an official identification (ID). The front of the inspector's ID depicts the person's photo and name. At the bottom, is the FEMA seal and the ID's expiration date. 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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 12:23:43