Date: 2007-09-24
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Published by: FEMA
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal agencies are on alert and in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a tropical depression quickly approaches communities along the Gulf coast. FEMA has been closely monitoring the system and will be ready to respond to any intensification of the storm that would threaten communities along the Gulf.
(Media-Newswire.com) - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal agencies are on alert and in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a tropical depression quickly approaches communities along the Gulf coast. FEMA has been closely monitoring the system and will be ready to respond to any intensification of the storm that would threaten communities along the Gulf.
"FEMA is not waiting for a storm to make landfall to begin our coordination with the states and our federal partners and non-profit agencies in response," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "We're putting our emergency response teams on alert and evaluating supplies and equipment at our logistic centers. We'll pre-position supplies to have them in place if requested by the states."
FEMA's Regional Response Coordination Centers in Denton, Texas and Thomasville, Georgia are operational and in communication with states that may be impacted by the storm.
Other federal agencies and non-profit agencies that are readying resources and assets include:
Department of Defense and NORTHCOM: Closely monitoring the storm and is standing by to support response operations as needed.
Department of Transportation (DOT): The DOT Emergency Transportation Center is in contact with FEMA Logistics to support any transportation service requirements.
Department of Health and Human Services: The lead agency for coordinating federal medical response support has placed six disaster medical assistance teams and the U.S. Public Health Service Rapid Deployment Force team on call. In addition, equipment and supplies to set up four Federal Medical Stations (FMS) has been pre-staged in Louisiana.
American Red Cross(ARC): The ARC is making preparations with a focus on Louisiana. Chapters in Louisiana are on alert and can open several dozen shelters in areas across the state. Support trailers (with cots, blankets, comfort kits,etc), mobile feeding vehicles, and pre-cooked meals are pre-positioned across Louisiana. Red Cross is in contact with the Louisiana Emergency Operations (EOC) Center and is monitoring three parish EOCs activated in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Texas teams are on alert to transfer and transport personnel and supplies to Louisiana if necessary.
US Army Corps of Engineers: Ready to assist with power and critical supplies if needed by states.
National Guard: The National Guard has personnel on duty prepared to provide disaster operation support and assist with trailer evacuations if needed
Residents along the Gulf Coast should have emergency kits ready and be prepared to follow the directions of local emergency management officials if asked to evacuate. For more information on how to prepare for this hurricane season, please visit "Get Ready 07" at www.fema.gov. There, you will find a comprehensive listing of information on family and business preparedness, disaster support links for people with disabilities and other special needs, and planning for pet. You can also visit the www.ready.gov for more information.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.