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When we talk about a disaster response and recovery
effort, it’s a long term initiative that really
involves many, many parts… it’s not simply FEMA
or GEMA… it’s not one agency, what you see is
a partnership among the federal, state, local
officials, as well as the private sector in
some cases, and the volunteer community… probably
a third of what is done in terms of a disaster
recovery effort does fall under the volunteer
community, what’s called VOAD… Red Cross,
Salvation Army, Georgia Baptist… organizations
like that provide shelter, clean up, and any
number of services. The Red Cross is a non-profit
agency. We are supported by donated dollars.
We are also an emergency response organization,
we are chartered by congress to respond to disasters,
so , when disaster happens, Red Cross volunteers
swing into action… they provide food, shelter,
emotional support, bulk distribution of relief
supplies, counseling… mental health care… anything
clients need immediately following disaster.
If a person comes to us and they say they need
assistance… we’re going to give them that assistance.
And for those who have met with Red Cross case workers,
we’re going to continue to work with them to meet
those emergency cause needs… the flood related
needs… no one with go without emergency assistance…
we’re going to make sure they have a roof over their
head and that they have the resources that they
need to get themselves back on their feet, but
again, up until the closing date, our case workers
are going to be working overtime to make sure we
connect our clients to community resources and
governmental resources. It is a surprisingly
well oiled, well unified process. All disasters
are local, I think it’s always important to
explain… that every disaster begins with a response
by local officials. If it becomes a situation
that exceeds their ability to respond to,
they can contact GEMA… and we will provide
state assets and resources, equipment, personnel,
whatever it might be needed to bring that situation
under control… and then, of course, we begin to
look at the financial impact of this… and begin
to work with FEMA in assessing the damages,
and then of course if a presidential disaster
declaration is approved, we will work together
in providing those assets and resources until such
time that the recovery is completed.