WASHINGTON – Nearly 800 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from around the country have volunteered to assist Florida communities damaged by Hurricane Frances.
Many employees, representing clinical, engineering, safety, security, logistics and administrative skills, have been deployed to nearby staging areas to wait for assignments from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“So far, more than 120 of our dedicated VA employees have gone directly to stricken areas to help with relief efforts,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “Individually and in teams, VA people are performing an important part of our mission by providing emergency aid to communities hit by natural disasters.”
Principi said VA has chartered busses to transport its emergency response personnel to community centers and shelters to provide nursing and medical care to people who are sick, injured or at risk of illness due to age in Ft.Pierce, Indian River and St. Lucie.
In support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, VA has deployed four teams to the area. Each consists of 15 nurses, one pharmacist, one area emergency manager, one driver and one administrative clerk. Four VA emergency managers in Miami coordinate their activities.
VA officials said personnel are on call as HHS monitors the advance of Hurricane Ivan. VA liaisons at the Department of Homeland Security operations center in Washington, D.C. help coordinate recovery requirements for the department.
