Chicago Call Center Demobilized 

Release Date: December 27, 2005
Release Number: 1603-247

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- After assisting hundreds of thousands of disaster victims, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has demobilized a call center in Chicago. The center was opened on September 10 to assist other FEMA call centers with the volume of registration calls from disaster victims, and shut down on December 14.

The call center received approximately 259,000 telephone calls, including registrations, help line assistance and other calls. The center also conducted pre-placement interviews with individuals for the travel trailer program. The call center was staffed with FEMA personnel from throughout the country as well as individuals from other federal agencies and local contract workers. At its maximum operating capacity, 500 workers were placing and responding to calls.

"By operating a call center in Chicago , FEMA was able to more effectively and rapidly communicate with disaster victims," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "We are now demobilizing the center, but our efforts to reach out to each and every individual in need of FEMA assistance continues, here in Baton Rouge, and throughout disaster affected areas."

Hurricane victims seeking temporary housing including travel trailers and mobile homes must first register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for individuals with speech or hearing impairment, or online at www.fema.gov . Applicants who demonstrate a need for temporary housing will be identified and contacted for additional information. The Baton Rouge Joint Field Office will coordinate with state and local officials and will arrange to deliver and hook up a travel trailer or mobile home at the approved site.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 30-Dec-2005 08:26:46