Seguin Disaster Preparedness A Model For Other Areas 

Release Date: February 22, 2006
Release Number: 1606-145

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Seguin, Texas, is a community of about 22,000 population 50 miles south-southwest of the state capital. The community's rural flavor, roadside fresh egg stands and the 1,000 pound, Texas-sized concrete pecan located in the town square suggest an agricultural economy, but large manufacturers are responsible for most of the employment.

If you take a closer look, you'll find something missing: an entire neighborhood wiped out in the flood of 1998.

FEMA paid nearly $200 million in disaster aid to individuals, businesses and public agencies in Texas in the months after the Oct. 21, 1998 Presidential Declaration that made Texas eligible for disaster relief. But the community minded folks of Seguin generated more than $900,000 in cash and contributions for flood survivors on their own and established a long-term recovery organization-Seguin Area Recovery, Inc.-to handle the details of getting the assistance to disaster victims.

Begun around a faith-based core of members of the Guadalupe County Ministerial Alliance and related organizations such as Church World Service, Seguin Area Recovery (SAR) founders developed a model organization that was ready when the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes sent thousands of evacuees scurrying for shelter out of the path of the storms. The group quickly raised at least $54,000 for dozens of Katrina evacuees who arrived in Seguin with empty gas tanks and little else.

According to SAR, having an organization ready in advance of a disaster is critical, as is having participation from all elements of the community. SAR involved elected and appointed city officials, business owners, community organizations, service clubs and others in the coordinated effort and obtained space in a city building from which to coordinate operations.

One resource that SAR found helpful in forming its group was the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), an association of member organizations involved in disaster response and recovery. NVOAD's website, www.nvoad.org, has a downloadable Long-Term Recovery Manual available in both English and Spanish.

The manual, designed to help communities respond appropriately in long-term recovery, has an easily understandable overview of successful models for organizing long-term recovery structures, along with considerable assistance in functional areas in the form of samples, tools and informative appendices.

Partners in the recovery effort include local agencies, state emergency departments and FEMA.  FEMA's Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) coordinates disaster relief activities; identifies and refers unique and individual family situations for which assistance cannot be provided through existing FEMA programs; assists the community in the formation of long-term recovery groups; and maintains a close working relationship between FEMA and voluntary agencies.

Individuals and businesses affected by disasters can call toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 18-May-2006 10:09:33