Local Assistance Centers Realign Operations, New Disaster Recovery Centers Open
Release Date: November 8, 2003
Release Number: 1498-17
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Pasadena, CA -- Local, state, and federal disaster officials have realigned the number and operating hours of Local Assistance Centers and established new multi-agency Disaster Recovery Centers to meet the ever-changing needs of the public.
Since the first Local Assistance Centers opened on October 29, more than 11,000 individuals have registered for assistance totaling more than $19 million.
The decision to realign the Local Assistance Centers was made by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in consultation with local emergency officials.
"Meeting the needs of those affected by the fires is our number-one priority," said Dallas Jones, OES Director. "Although thousands of Californians have received vital assistance quickly through the combined efforts of numerous governmental agencies and other organizations, we still have a lot of work to do, he added."
"This realignment reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the needs of everyone who was affected by these tragic fires, while effectively managing the resources required to do so," said FEMA's William Carwile, the Federal Coordinating Officer for the Southern California disaster recovery effort.
The Local Assistance Centers were opened to provide one-stop, face-to-face assistance to individuals who suffered damage in the Southern California wildfires. After applying for assistance through the toll-free registration numbers, individuals are able to go to recovery centers to obtain detailed information regarding the types of disaster assistance available from various local, state, and federal agencies. Until Monday, November 10, persons still needing assistance can call those numbers from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. On November 10, these hours will change to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
The toll-free numbers are 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and, for persons who have speech or hearing impairments, TTY 1-800-462-7585.
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Beginning Wednesday, November 12, the new hours of operation for the Local Assistance Centers listed by county below will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be closed on Sundays.
San Diego County
Alpine: 1347 Tavern Rd, Suite 30.
Ramona: 325 6th St. (old post office).
San Diego: Scripps Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress.
Valley Center: 28565 Cole Grade Rd (Valley Center
Road Maintenance Station)
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County International Airport (formerly Norton Air Force Base): 105 N. Leland Norton Way, Airport Terminal Building.
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The Local Assistance Centers listed below will become Disaster Recovery Centers early next week. The Disaster Recovery Centers will be staffed by personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other federal, state, and local agencies.
"The change will have no effect on the applicant, Both Local Assistance Centers and Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to provide the same high level of services," Carwile said"
Los Angeles County:
The Claremont LAC at the Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., will become a DRC on Monday, November 10.
On Monday, November 10 the DRC's hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 and 12, they will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The DRC will be closed Thursday - Sunday. Beginning Monday, November 17, the DRC's hours will be, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Wednesday.
Ventura County
The Ventura County LAC at 730 Paseo Camarillo in the city of Camarillo will become a DRC on Thursday, November 13. Starting then, its hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m on Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
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New FEMA DRCs are being established in El Cajon and Julian, both in San Diego County.
Julian: 1704 Cape Horn (at the elementary/middle school). Hours: Saturday, November 8, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning Monday, November 11, hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The DRC will be closed on Sundays.
El Cajon: 1890 Cordell Court (behind airport). Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The DRC will be closed on Sundays.
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The Borrego Springs LAC at the Borrego Springs Middle and High School, 2281 Diegueño Rd, in San Diego County closed Thursday, November 6. The Perris LAC at 18700 Lake Perris Drive (Perris Fairgrounds) closed Tuesday, November 4.
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The Governor's Office of Emergency Services coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused emergencies, and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
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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: Monday, 10-Nov-2003 08:02:21