To Reduce Storm Stress, Outreach Teams Will Be Good Listeners
Release Date: October 6, 2004
Release Number: 1558-037
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sometimes, what’s most helpful in a disaster is simply to listen. That’s what a group of specially-trained outreach workers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of West Virginia will be doing in communities hit by Hurricane Ivan. Their job is to relieve emotional stress, a normal occurrence after people have been battered by disasters.
The outreach teams will be deployed this week in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties. They will also be available one day a week in Tyler, Pleasants and Wirt Counties. But anyone feeling stressed by Ivan in the 18 disaster counties can connect with FEMA’s “Project Recovery” by calling, toll-free, 1-866-867-8290.
“Stress is normal after a disaster,” said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer for Ivan. “The vast majority of disaster survivors are normal people reacting to an abnormal situation. They have suffered losses and may well feel overwhelmed.” The outreach workers will visit homes, schools, Disaster Recovery Centers and other locations in the designated counties to talk with people who need a ready ear and provide them with guidance and emotional support.
The workers aren’t therapists, because most stress-affected people don’t need therapy. They need support in working through a difficult time in their lives. The FEMA teams will listen, provide guidance on aid programs and suggest other agencies that can provide help. Or, in the infrequent instances in which storm survivors may need clinical attention, the teams will make referrals to mental health centers.
Project Recovery is funded by FEMA working in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The team members will be wearing identifying orange vests and Project Recovery badges.
Problems are not always emotional. Help with everyday needs like food, clothing, property cleanup or insurance issues may be all that is needed to relieve stress. And the outreach teams will make those kinds of referrals.
“We encourage West Virginians who are feeling oppressed by their Ivan experience to consider connecting with Project Recovery,” said Steve Kappa, state coordinating officer. “They have a lot of company, and people will get through this together.”
Separate from Project Recovery, but crucial to helping people receive disaster aid to which they may be entitled, is FEMA’s toll-free registration number - 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.
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: Wednesday, 06-Oct-2004 15:27:13