Aid To Hoosiers Doesn't Stop - Fema And Sema Work Through Holiday 

Release Date: February 18, 2005
Release Number: 1573-027

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- While many people are making plans for a well-deserved three-day holiday, state and federal disaster employees will be working over the Presidents' Day holiday to continue to provide recovery assistance.

Application phone lines will continue to be available. Some Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Outreach Centers (DOCs) will be open on Monday, Presidents' Day. The schedule is listed below.

There are two easy ways to begin the application process. You may call to FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available from 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week until further notice and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Residents with Internet access now have the option to register on the agency's website at www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also available

"Don't pre-judge yourself or feel that you are taking any funds away from your neighbors. Disaster assistance isn't welfare," said Ron Sherman, Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) coordinating officer for the disaster. "It's your tax dollars set aside specifically for disasters."

"The goal of state and federal workers is to ensure that everyone who suffered damages in the designated counties applies for assistance," said Phil Roberts, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) director. "And if they had eligible losses, receives all the disaster assistance to which they are entitled.

Grant County
Marion Municipal Bldg
301 S. Branson St.
Marion, IN 46952
Monday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lake County
City Hall Annex
839 Broadway
Gary, IN 46402
Monday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Allen County
Taylor University Library
1025 W. Rudisill Blvd.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46807
Monday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Shelby County
City Hall
44 W. Washington St.
Shelbyville, IN 46176
Monday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Randolph County
EMA
325 S. Oak St.
Winchester, IN 47394
Monday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new SBA Disaster Outreach Center is opening in Lake County on Monday, February 21 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at:

The Emergency Management Agency Building
2900 W. 93rd St.
Crown Point, IN 46307

After Monday, February 21, regular hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

The following DRCs are transitioning to Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Outreach Centers (DOCs) and will continue to be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The centers will provide SBA assistance with loan information. A FEMA representative will be available to answer questions until further notice.

The Jay County DOC will be closed on Monday, President's day since it is located in the County Courthouse.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and effectively manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-Feb-2005 09:05:12