Disaster Recovery Center Available To Duval County Residents
Release Date: October 28, 2004
Release Number: 1539-242
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Duval County residents are urged to visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at the Gateway Mall for disaster-related information and help with paperwork. As of Oct. 25, nearly 700 Duval applicants have done so since the center opened Oct. 1, 2004.
Residents with damage from Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne first should apply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by calling the teleregistration number at 1-800-621-3362 or registering online at www.fema.gov. State and federal workers assigned to the DRC can assist residents with questions and concerns after registrations are made.
To date, 5,676 Duval applicants have registered for assistance.
"Many disaster victims have little knowledge of the wide range of benefits they may be eligible to receive until they see us up close and personal at the DRC," Federal Coordinating Officer, Bill Carwile said.
The DRC is staffed by experts in program areas including disaster unemployment, mitigation and the Small Business Administration, which offers low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. Information is available on other needs categories such as repairs to septic or sewage systems and wells, and serious needs issues such as medical or dental expenses. Multilingual specialists are also on-hand to overcome language barriers that tend to block or delay disaster aid.
"We don't want anyone left out for lack of information or understanding," Craig Fugate, state coordinating officer, said. "The busier our DRC staff is, the happier we are." He encouraged family members and friends of the elderly, handicapped or disadvantaged, who may not be able to help themselves, to provide transportation for them to the Gateway DRC.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and FEMA are operating 46 DRCs across the state. They are often referred to as one-stop centers for disaster information.
The Gateway Mall DRC is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice. A recent review of attendance indicates a decrease in activity. DRC officials wish to reassure residents in Duval County that services will continue to be provided to applicants for federal and state disaster assistance through this center for as long as the need is present.
A final decision will soon be made to transition these assets to other locations throughout the state if the continues to prove the need is no longer present.
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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Oct-2004 15:19:35