DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

TIPS ON HELPING OTHERSIN THEIR TIME OF NEEDA disaster really brings out the generosity of many people who want to helpthe victims. Unfortunately, sometimes this kindness overwhelms agenciesthat are trying to coordinate relief efforts so please review the followinggeneral guidelines defined by FEMA on helping others after a disaster.• In addition to the people you care for on a daily basis, considerthe needs of your neighbors and people with specialneeds.• If you want to volunteer your services after a disaster,listen to local news reports for information about where volunteersare needed. Until volunteers are specificallyrequested, please stay away from disaster areas.• If you are needed in a disaster area, bring your own food,water and emergency supplies. This is especially importantin cases where a large area has been hit since these itemsmay be in short supply.• Do not drop off food, clothing or items to a governmentagency or disaster relief organization unless a particularitem has been requested. They usually don’t have theresources to sort through donations and it is very costly toship these bulk items.• If you wish, give check or money order to a recognizeddisaster relief organization like the Salvation Army or RedCross. They can process funds, purchase what is needed andget it to the people who need it most. Your entiredonation goes towards the disaster relief since theseorganizations raise money for overhead expenses throughseparate fund drives.• If your company wants to donate emergency supplies,donate a quantity of a given item or class of items (such asnonperishable food) rather than a mix of different items.Also, find out where donation is going, how it’s going to getthere, who’s going to unload it and how it will be distributed.Without good planning, much needed supplies will beleft unused.• Donate blood or help organize a blood drive.154 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325