FEMA Community Relations Teams Going Door-to-Door
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Release Number: 1798-009
» More Information on Puerto Rico Severe Storms and Flooding
SAN JUAN, PR -- Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) and local municipalities to reach out to people affected by recent severe storms and flooding.
Community Relations (CR) specialists are going door-to-door to talk with individuals who have suffered damage or loss. They also will meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and municipality officials.
"We are knocking on doors in the disaster affected areas to make sure everyone knows how to register with FEMA," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Justo Hernández. "We're also asking local officials what they need from us. We're listening to the needs of the people."
Eight municipalities were declared federal disaster areas on October 1, 2008. CR teams are canvassing neighborhoods in Guayama, Humacao, Maunabo, Patillas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, and Yabucoa. Recovery specialists also seek out any location where people affected in the disaster might be found to bring them information on recovery resources.
"We rely on our community relations staff not only to get the word out, but also to find out first hand the problems those communities and individuals are facing," State Coordinating Officer Karilyn Bonilla Colón said.
Federal Coordinating Officer Hernández said the CR teams are expected to remain in the field for four to six weeks and specialists will return as often as necessary to reach everyone affected.
To register for assistance, Puerto Rico residents can go online at www.FEMA.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), choose option 2 for Spanish. The registration lines are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Speech or hearing impaired residents should call TTY: 1-800-462-7585.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 07-Oct-2008 09:36:41