‘Local Hires’ Important To The Ivan Recovery Team
Release Date: October 13, 2004
Release Number: 1558-051
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Charleston, W. Va. -- Federal and state agencies helping West Virginians recover from the 22-county Hurricane Ivan disaster have assembled a staff of 248 field recovery workers, 48 of whom have been hired from local communities and are known as “local hires”.
Hiring a portion – in this case, 19 percent – of the recovery team locally provides community-based skill and insight and gives an added boost to the area’s economy as well.
“The number of local hires we recruit varies depending on the disaster,”said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “But they provide invaluable help for the recovery. They supplement the permanent FEMA staff and a cadre of Disaster Assistance Employee (DAE) reservists who comprise the core of our staff.”
The positions filled by local hires range from office assistants to planning coordinators, from couriers to mobile home specialists, and from data processors to computer technicians. They receive introductory disaster response training and become an integral part of the recovery effort.
Many local hires decide to become part of the standby pool of Disaster Assistance Employees. With the experience they gain in their first recovery assignments, they become available to be dispatched to future disasters.
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 hazard’s and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17-Nov-2004 09:17:13