FEMA And State Officials Distribute Disaster Resource Materials Statewide
Each Of West Virginia's 225 Libraries To Receive Comprehensive Disaster Resource Kits
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Release Number: 1474-95
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
 | |
 Director of the Putnam County Library System Jackie Chaney examines the materials in the Disaster Resource Kit presented by Mike Jones, FEMA community relations field officer.  Disaster Resource Kits are being delivered to each of the 225 libraries in the State of West Virginia. |
Charleston, WV -- Following this summer's severe storms that resulted in flooding and landslides across the State of West Virginia, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services (WVOES) have prepared comprehensive disaster information kits to distribute to each of the 225 libraries in the state.
The Disaster Resource Kits provide citizens a single source for information on all aspects of response and recovery, from preparing for all types of disasters to thinking through the various elements that need attention before and after a disaster strikes, including: cleaning up property and belongings, helping children to prepare and cope, dealing with personal and familial stress, protecting your pets and livestock and rebuilding your property safely. Also included is an annotated list of Web sites pointing readers to Online sources for in-depth information on each topic.
In addition to the detailed fact sheets addressing a myriad of disaster-related topics, every binder includes the following publications: Getting Ready: A Family Emergency Guide prepared by WVOES, Protecting Your Home from Flood Damage: Mitigating Ideas for Reducing Flood Loss prepared by FEMA, and the Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book prepared by FEMA and the American Red Cross.
"The state has seen several disasters in the past several years, and we felt there was a need to get something to the public that could help them before the next flood or winter storm happens," said State Coordinating Officer Stephen S. Kappa. "Providing information to local libraries is a great way to reach the citizens of West Virginia. So, we've partnered with FEMA and the West Virginia Library Commission to make sure each branch gets a Disaster Resource Kit for their resource section."
At a press conference held Aug. 14, 2003 in the federal/state Disaster Field Office, Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Koob and State Coordinating Officer Stephen S. Kappa handed over the binders to Christy Morris, deputy secretary for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. Ms. Morris presented the first Disaster Resource Kit to J.D. Waggoner, secretary for the West Virginia Library Commission.
This project involved the cooperation of FEMA community relations, mitigation and public affairs, along with WVOES and the West Virginia Library Commission. FEMA community relations officers assisted WVOES in the distribution of the remaining kits in disaster-declared counties, reaching 81 of the 225 libraries in the state.
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: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 10:23:30