FEMA Educates Local Community 

Release Date: September 7, 2007
Release Number: 1603-706

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Seventh Ward Community members gathered at First Pilgrims Baptist Church's Housing Fair Sept. 1, 2007 to learn about assistance available to residents rebuilding in the area.

Those who attended received information from businesses, governmental and volunteer agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Shelia Forest, a FEMA community outreach education specialist, and Joe Sloan, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) specialist, spoke to area residents and local leaders with questions regarding recovery efforts. Sloan and Forest also handed out publications explaining the NFIP and mitigation issues. 

"We're here to assist them in rebuilding, relocating or renovating," said Forest. "We want to ensure the local community has the most updated information to help them build their houses safer and stronger."

FEMA's availability to the public on Saturday is important for the local community because not everyone has the ability to attend this type of event during the work week, according to Forest.

"There are some people who come back to New Orleans for the weekend to make repairs to their home. City Hall and other government agencies aren't open then," Forest said. "People still need the information, and it's important that we're here to give it to them."

Several banks, contractors and representatives from The Road Home Program, Louisiana Department of Insurance and the Housing Authority of New Orleans also distributed recovery related information.

"We're very happy to have folks from FEMA here," said Mary Mitchell, First Pilgrims Baptist Church member who assisted in organizing the event. "We're letting the community know where they can go for help - whether it's Road Home, FEMA or their local bank."

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 07-Sep-2007 09:00:00