Helpline Offers Disaster Information
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Release Number: 1492-35
» More Information on Maryland Hurricane Isabel
Baltimore, MD - Maryland residents with questions about disaster assistance and unable to visit a disaster recovery center can call the disaster assistance helpline to get their questions answered.
"For a number of reasons, many disaster victims can't get to the centers," said William Lokey, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official in charge of Maryland's disaster recovery. "The helpline provides them with the same service."
The helpline number¾1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TYY 1-800-462-7585 for speech or hearing impaired¾is the same number used to register for assistance. When calling, just select the "helpline" option. FEMA experts are available to answer questions from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
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: Tuesday, 07-Oct-2003 07:37:33