5.

The purpose of an Emergency Response Team is to

Dispense assistance to families.

Coordinate Federal disaster relief and recovery activities.
Plan future hazard mitigation steps.

Answer disaster-related questions of local business
representatives.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Throughout a disaster period there is an urgent need for accurate information to reach those affected. Centerville's citizens, for example, will need to know how they can evacuate safely, where to stay, and later, where they can go for help in repairing flood-damaged homes and businesses.

Providing a uniform, coordinated, and consistent message to the public is critical before, during, and following a disaster.

As soon as the Governor is notified that the President has
declared a major disaster, FEMA initiates a coordinated
Federal, State, and local public affairs effort. The White
House issues the initial news release announcing the
declaration. FEMA issues a second release providing greater
detail about counties designated and available programs.
Copies are provided to the State and distributed to the
media. These are the first steps in the release of information
regarding the coordinated Federal and State response to the
disaster.

To ensure that the public fully understands the nature of the Federal response to disasters, FEMA places a high priority on emergency information and public affairs. FEMA goes beyond simply reacting. The agency stresses a proactive approach designed to ensure the public is getting timely, accurate, consistent and easy-to-understand information from a reliable source. This approach uses all the current technological tools and requires the best available talent to reach the media and the disaster victims directly.

FEMA's approach to emergency information recognizes the importance of the partnerships with other Federal and State agencies, with local governments, and with voluntary agencies. FEMA has a unique role and an enormous responsibility when it comes to disaster assistance. It is the coordinating agency for all of the agencies that provide services during the disaster, as well as the coordinating agency for the dissemination of information.

It has been said that in times of disaster, information can be as important as food or water. Providing a uniform, coordinated, and consistent message to the

public is critical. FEMA's Office of Public Affairs developed new emergency information dissemination methods to address this challenge.

The Recovery Times combines the latest desktop publishing technology with electronic transmission of stories and images to one printing contractor for all

disasters. Prepackaging

information has facilitated quick

publication and distribution of

emergency information to
communities. FEMA publishes
the Recovery Times newsletter, in
cooperation with State, local, and
other Federal agencies, to provide
timely and accurate information
to disaster victims about disaster
response, recovery, mitigation,
and preparedness activities. Each
issue contains customized content
that is quickly developed for each
disaster.

The publication's primary goal is to promote an understanding of disaster programs and policieshow people can apply for disaster assistance and what they can expect after they apply. Through this publication, FEMA, the

State, and other government and voluntary agencies work in partnership to help disaster victims get their lives back to normal.

Recovery Times is distributed as a local newspaper insert via direct mailing to disaster victims who have registered through FEMA's toll-free application telephone number, and door-to-door delivery by community outreach teams.

FEMAFAX/Spectrafax uses the latest computerized facsimile system technology, comprehensive database, and 48 telephone lines for rapid, targeted information distribution. The system also has a fax on-demand service. By