FEMA Urges Families To Check-In With The Find Family National Call Center (FFNCC)
Release Date: January 16, 2006
Release Number: 1603-280
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BATON ROUGE, La. - State and federal officials wish to remind individuals that a national toll-free number is available for families whose loved ones may have perished during Hurricane Katrina.
Concerned relatives unable to find a missing loved one and who fear the worst should call the Find Family National Call Center (FFNCC) at 1-866-326-9393. This is the official nationwide coordination center for information on those missing from the storm. Family members may call this number from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. CST, seven days a week.
"Family members who have called previously are encouraged to update their information with the FFNCC," said Scott Wells, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. "Officials are aware that some people who have called may have moved and should update their contact information."
Additionally, individuals who have called may have since found their relatives and not notified the FFNCC. These family members should call to update this information as well.
"It is important that people let us know where they are in case we need to get back in touch with them," said Dr. Louis Cataldie, the state medical examiner. "The more information that we can gather from families, the easier it will be for us to make matches and move on to bringing other families together."
Callers will be asked a series of questions that are solely for the purpose of identifying and reuniting family members. The center respects the privacy of individuals and will keep the information confidential.
The FFNCC is a joint effort between the State of Louisiana and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The center includes staff members from the state, mental health professionals, and FEMA's National Disaster Medical System and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team branches.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 16-Jan-2006 13:28:01