Oregon Public TV Airs Public Assistance Applicant Briefings
Release Date: March 10, 2004
Release Number: FNF-04-006
Technology is helping Oregon counties receive important disaster recovery information.
Twenty-eight Oregon counties have been declared eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program following recent winter storms. Following a disaster declaration, FEMA and the state will hold a Public Assistance applicant briefing. At this meeting, state and federal officials will explain the program and application process to local officials from the disaster-stricken counties.
Because of the widespread nature of the disaster, the State arranged for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) to film the first applicant briefing, which was held in the Capitol Building. This allowed officials from distant counties to get the important information without making a long-distance trip to the briefing.
Those in attendance at the briefing were informed of the taping, and asked to hold their questions until after the formal presentation by the Federal Coordinating Officer, State Coordinating Officer, State Disaster Specialist, State Mitigation Officer, and FEMA Public Assistance Officer.
OPB scheduled the 20-minute taping for two airings the following week. The airings were publicized through a news release. In addition, state and local officials contacted potential applicants to alert them of the program. The briefing was accessible live over the Internet.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10-Mar-2004 13:45:45