Local Assistance Centers Serve Firestorm Communities
Release Date: October 30, 2007
Release Number: 1731-002
» More Information on California Wildfires
PASADENA, Calif. -- The State of California and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are supporting nine local assistance centers to serve families and businesses affected by wildfires in Southern California.
"Governor Schwarzenegger has directed OES and all other state agencies to do everything possible to help those who have lost their homes and businesses rebuild, including working with local officials to open one-stop assistance centers," said State Coordinating Officer Henry Renteria of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
"The local assistance centers are there to help anyone affected by the fires begin the recovery process," said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall of FEMA.
The center locations and hours of operation follow:
San Diego County
Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center at 18446 West Bernardo Drive, Rancho Bernardo.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Ramona Community School at 1710 Montecito Road, Ramona.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fallbrook Community Center at 341 Heald Lane, Fallbrook.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rancho San Diego Cuyamaca College at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Los Angeles County
Castaic Regional Sports Complex at 31230 North Castaic Road, Castaic.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex - Activities Center at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Malibu Bluffs Park at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
San Bernardino County
National Orange Show Events Center at 689 South "E" Street, San Bernardino.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Orange County
One Stop Center/Strip Mall at 125 Technology Way, Suite 200, Irvine
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Local Assistance Centers provide program information and referrals to those who have already registered for assistance under an October 24 disaster declaration by President Bush at the request of Governor Schwarzenegger. Representatives of local, state, federal and voluntary agencies are available to discuss these programs:
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FEMA rental assistance and minor home repair;
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U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes;
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Additional state grants to help with rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs;
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National Flood Insurance to guard against losses from mudslides where vegetation has burned off;
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Disaster unemployment assistance;
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Mental health services;
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Local government services such as county assessor, environmental health, etc.;
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Tax assistance; and
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Advice on and assistance with insurance claims.
The local assistance centers are designed for the exchange of helpful information. No money changes hands there.
Applicants are encouraged to register for federal and state assistance before visiting a local assistance center by calling the FEMA toll-free number: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who are speech- or hearing-impaired may call a TTY number: 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, 30-Oct-2007 15:23:09