Community Relations Officers to the Rescue in Identifying, Assisting Special Needs Disaster Victims
Release Date: November 7, 2005
Release Number: 1606-061
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- The heart and soul of rebuilding is working together. Since hurricane landfall, an unprecedented number of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Relations (CR) teams from across the nation have been working in Texas to bring special needs disaster victims hope in an otherwise foreign environment.
Teams of federal/state community relations specialists, including firefighters from Washington state to New Jersey, are canvassing Texas' 22 hard hit designated counties to provide life-saving information about available disaster housing and assistance programs to businesses and families who suffered damages and losses due to Hurricane Rita.
"From the first day a disaster is declared, these teams work one-on-one with every level of the community including local government, business, religious and volunteer organizations," said Federal Coordinating Officer for the Texas recovery effort Sandy Coachman. "They build on existing networks to expedite assistance and get the word out to people with eligible needs."
State Coordinating Officer Frank Cantu said emergency management officials in each of the affected counties would work closely with the teams to focus assistance efforts on identified areas of need. "We believe face-to-face meetings are vital in assuring residents that we'll work with them to help get their lives back on track and identify any special needs as quickly as possible."
Community Relations (CR) field officers have attended various community events including festivals, Friday night football games and other community activities to mix with the people of the affected counties and learn of pressing disaster needs. Vietnamese and Spanish-speaking CR field officers also assist individuals with language needs as they canvass affected areas.
CR field officers are locating evacuees in hotels and apartments to distribute questionnaires about obtaining permanent housing and employment. In Harris County more than 4,000 questionnaires have been distributed to evacuees through hotels, apartments and churches.
CR also works in close coordination with FEMA's Equal Rights Officer (ERO) who is in touch with the special needs population. When identified, persons with disabilities are directed to the Individual Assistance special needs section where specialized needs can be appropriately addressed.
The following are some of the stories from the field:
- In Tyler County, CR teams visited elderly and disabled persons living in an isolated area without telephone service. These people requested extra police patrols until the phone service is restored for reassurance that they can obtain help if needed. Service is expected to be restored by mid-November.
- Also in Tyler County, officials referred two special needs situations for CR to follow:
- An elderly man required a chain saw team to help with significant tree debris. County officials were notified and the situation is being resolved.
- A resident with a severe bronchial infection required emergency services. EMS was notified and responded. Resident was taken to see a local physician.
- In Sabine County, CR met four (4) heads of households who evacuated from Orange County and are staying with friends. All four families are registered, received Expedited Assistance and three homes have been inspected. CR referred all of the families to the Helpline to check their status.
- In Liberty County, the County Judge requested that FEMA CR maintain a presence in the county two (2) additional weeks for assistance with needs that may arise.
- In Polk County, the Commissioner of Precinct 1 reported to CR teams that he is pleased with the FEMA response and glad that related events are being resolved.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Nov-2005 09:43:26