Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers, Community Relations Specialists Work To Help Alabamians Recover From Tornadoes
Release Date: March 5, 2007
Release Number: 1687-001
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ATLANTA, Ga. -- Three specially-equipped vehicles are now in Enterprise, Ala., playing a key role as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps state and local recovery from last week’s deadly tornadoes. Each vehicle serves as a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC).
“One of the advantages of an MDRC is the speed with which it can be placed into service,” said Gracia Szczech, the federal official coordinating the disaster recovery.
At the request of Gov. Bob Riley, President Bush issued a disaster declaration on Saturday. One unit was open that afternoon, and all MDRCs were fully operational in Enterprise by 8 a.m. on Sunday. The MDRCs are currently located at the following Enterprise addresses and are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST seven days a week until further notice:
- Enterprise Civic Center, 711 Crawford Street
- Enterprise Recreation Center, 421 Lee Street
- Pleasant Shade Missionary Baptist Church, 1891 Damascus Road Community Relations teams canvassing disaster area
At the same time, 25 FEMA Community Relations field officers were going door-to-door in the stricken area distributing flyers, offering important information and guidance to victims and canvassing various community leaders who might be able to help spread the word of disaster assistance.
First: Apply for assistance
Before visiting a recovery center, victims in Coffee County who suffered uninsured losses related to the storm should first apply for help by registering on the state/FEMA assistance hotline, (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or (800) 462-7585 (TTY) for persons with speech or hearing impairments, or online at http://www.fema.gov/.
“There are many assistance programs and grants available for families who are eligible to receive that help, but nothing can happen until people apply for assistance,” Szczech said. “While a wide variety of programs are available to help survivors, the objective is not to make people whole again – but to give a helping hand as they work to rebuild their lives.”
As of Monday, 367 households had registered for assistance.
MDRC services provided
Technology made MDRCs possible, compared to what is known as a fixed DRC that is located in a building. The RVs that serve the role are equipped with computers and satellite linkage that allow an information stream as swift as in any office.
Services people can expect in either kind of DRC:
- Guidance regarding disaster recovery.
- Clarification of any written correspondence received.
- Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information.
- Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance.
- Status of applications being processed by FEMA.
- Small Business Administration program information.
- Other information from representatives of other federal, state and local agencies who are posted into the DRC on an as-needed basis.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.
FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007 01:50:28