Disaster Recovery Center And Local Assistance Centers Change Operating Schedule 

Release Date: February 14, 2005
Release Number: 1577-012

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PASADENA, Calif. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) announce that Local Assistance Centers (LACs) open in Los Angeles County and the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Ventura County will change their operating schedule effective on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.

The new schedule beginning February 19 is as follows: Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sundays.

Those who need additional disaster information are encouraged to visit any one of the centers after registering for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Assistance centers provide an opportunity to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.

Representatives of state, federal, and voluntary agencies, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will be on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Those who have applied for assistance can also check on the status of their application.

Assistance centers locations:

Los Angeles County

Altadena Community Ctr.
730 East Altadena Dr.
Altadena, Calif.

Castaic Regional Sports Complex
31230 Castaic Rd.
Castaic, Calif.

North Hollywood Recreation Center
11430 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, Calif.
Closing Feb. 16

Ventura County

Oak View Park and Resource Center
555 Mahoney Ave. (off Highway 33)
Oak View, Calif.

OES 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.

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.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Feb-2005 08:52:05