FEMA Local Hires Bring Skills, Insight to Louisiana Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – They come from a variety of backgrounds and bring something a little extra to their new jobs with FEMA. Many local hires with the agency have been affected by the August flooding in Louisiana or know someone who has. All take a special interest in the area’s recovery.

FEMA hires local workers for temporary, full-time jobs at disaster recovery offices. A local workforce, employed until the disaster recovery mission ends, helps free FEMA staff to move to the next disaster assignment. Local employees also bring knowledge about the culture, events and politics that define a state or geographical area—insight that helps the recovery mission.

In Baton Rouge, the agency has hired about 70 people from the area and is looking to fill nearly 30 more jobs, including managers, travel specialists, historic preservationists, writers and those in other recovery-related fields.

Among the 70 new staffers are two writers. One pens music and film reviews, appears as a cultural reporter for a Baton Rouge television station and has authored a book about a local musician. The other writer worked on the Hurricane Katrina recovery as a FEMA contractor and was impressed by the agency’s efforts in environmental and historic preservation.

“I worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in historic preservation and cultural resources management,” said Harriet Swift. “When I saw devastation from the August flood, I knew I had to help again.”

Bethny Pack-Abel was also driven by her desire to help. “I come from the helping industry—nonprofits and social services. Helping is my passion.” Her home was untouched by the flooding, but she saw entire neighborhoods affected by floodwaters in Tangipahoa Parish.　 Now part of the FEMA team that’s reaching out to businesses, Pack-Abel is eyeing long-term possibilities with federal employment.　

FEMA continues to hire full-time skilled workers for a variety of temporary disaster recovery jobs. The pay is competitive and includes benefits for the duration of the job. For postings, visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission at LaWorks.net.

Gerald M. Stolar, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, welcomed local-hires Marla Williams and Contina Emery. This is the second time that Marla and Contina have worked for FEMA. Local hires are employees hired by FEMA from the local commuting area of a declared disaster. As a member of the community effected by the disaster, this group has the special understanding of the problems faced by their fellow disaster survivors. This insight makes them an integral part of the FEMA team.

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