FEMA to Hold Briefing on the Progress of Assisting Evacuees in Texas Toward Long-Term Recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will hold a teleconference on Wed., Nov. 30, 11:30 a.m. to discuss the progress of moving evacuees in Texas toward independence.

FEMA had launched a massive outreach effort earlier this month to assist evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as they move toward recovery. Strike Teams, made up of FEMA and voluntary agency personnel, are conducting one-on-one interviews with evacuees staying at hotels in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Beaumont, Fort Worth and San Antonio. The interviews provide a vital exchange between evacuees and various agency personnel in order to provide information about longer-term housing, employment opportunities, educational resources and special needs.

The teleconference, hosted by the FEMA Joint Information Center in Austin will also discuss the importance of Strike Teams in meeting FEMA’s goals.

WHAT: A briefing on the progress of meeting the housing transition goal and specifically, FEMA’s aggressive outreach programs.

WHO: The teleconference will be led by FEMA Texas External Affairs Director Don Jacks, as well as FEMA officials from Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs, the HELP program and liaisons to voluntary organizations.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m. Call promptly begins at 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Texas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.