The Disaster Recovery Center:
A One-Stop Source Of Information And Services
Release Date: October 8, 2004
Release Number: 1539-182
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Since Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne struck Florida in less than a seven-week span, more than 155,000 applicants for federal and state disaster assistance have visited one of the many Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state.
Presently, there are 30 centers in areas hit by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne on the Florida Peninsula, while an additional l1 DRCs are serving those affected by Hurricane Ivan in the Panhandle region. In actuality, as DRCs moved from one area to a newly affected area because of another hurricane strike, there have been 60 DRC operations established and transitioned since August 17, 2004.
What is a DRC and why does an applicant go to one? After a victim has applied for disaster assistance by calling the teleregistration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing-impaired, a visit to a Disaster Recovery Center may be in order.
The DRC is a one-stop location where program information and services, offered by a wide number of agencies…federal, state, local and volunteer…are located. The larger DRCs have representatives from most of the participating partners. The smaller centers, though not as broadly staffed, can quickly refer applicants with specific needs to the appropriate source if the necessary information or service is not available at that location.
Each applicant has his or her own set of needs…damaged or lost housing, personal property losses, emergency and/or immediate need situations, etc. Disaster specialists are working 11 hours a day (from 8 am to 7 pm), seven days a week, providing applicants with possible avenues of assistance for each particular situation.
If a victim has not been able to register for disaster assistance prior to arriving at a center, telephones are available for their use. Once the application is made, the new applicant may then return to the DRC in several days. This will allow FEMA and other agencies the time necessary to review the new file and determine which assistance programs are available to help the registrant and their family or business.
Federal agency partners include: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) applicant assistants, housing and mitigation advisors; U.S. Small Business Administration loan officers for those homeowners, renters and business owners issued a disaster loan application; Department of Agriculture; Internal Revenue Service; Social Security Administration and the Veteran’s Administration.
State of Florida agencies, working together to form the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), participating in the DRC recovery effort are: the Florida Department of Children and Families; Department of Elder Affairs; Florida Crisis Research Team (crisis counseling); Florida Department of Financial Services (insurance and financial services); Florida Rural Legal Services and the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (disaster unemployment and re-employment).
Volunteer Agency partners in the recovery effort include: the American Red Cross; Christian Reformed World Relief Committee; Church World Services; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; Project Hope; Salvation Army; United Methodist Committee on Relief; the Volunteer Florida Foundation and the Volunteer Organizations Active In Disaster.
SERT is a collaboration of Florida’s emergency management agencies led by the state coordinating officer. Its mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. For the latest information on the hurricane relief effort, visit http://www.floridadisaster.org.
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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 08-Oct-2004 14:45:17