FEMA Community Relations Teams Visit Areas Damaged By Hurricane Ivan 

Release Date: September 23, 2004
Release Number: 1554-002

» More Information on Georgia Hurricane Ivan

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), State Board of Pardons and Paroles and county emergency management directors to reach out to people affected by Hurricane Ivan that began affecting the state on September 14.

The 14 counties in which individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Ivan may be eligible for state and federal aid are Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Early, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Madison, Rabun, Towns, Union, and White.

Teams are canvassing communities in the above counties and offering individuals and small-business owners information about available disaster assistance programs, including grants to help pay for temporary disaster housing needs; grants for essential repairs needed to make a residence safe, sanitary and functional; low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property; and replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. The teams include a FEMA representative and a state pardons and parole officer trained in community relations and familiar with the communities.

"We rely on our community relations staff not only to get the word out, but also to find out first hand the problems that communities and individuals in those communities are facing," James N. (“Nick”) Russo, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer, said.

Team members are going door-to-door to talk with individuals who have suffered damage or loss. They will also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When community relations staff members identify unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.

"Reaching out in this way lets people know that we're doing everything we can to help," Russo said.

According to GEMA Director Mike Sherberger, state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery operation, "We are making every attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available through a disaster declaration. The Community Relations teams may discover that effort will require special means of communication and/or special types of assistance."

Team members will be reminding individuals that they can begin the disaster assistance process by calling FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing impairment, the special TTY number to call is 1 800 462-7585. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice.

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 hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Friday, 24-Sep-2004 08:32:10