Little Rock, Ark.– Specialists from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are canvassing neighborhoods in hard-hit Faulkner County to help survivors register for disaster assistance.  

In addition to Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) going door to door, Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs) are also set up in Vilonia and Mayflower, Arkansas to provide immediate registration assistance and answer questions residents may have concerning available FEMA assistance.

“Our priority is getting citizens’ immediate help,” said David Maxwell, Director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency. “Going directly to them in their communities allows us to expedite the disaster registration process.”

All FEMA and state team members in the field carry photo IDs and wear shirts bearing their agency’s logo.

“We continue to encourage survivors in Faulkner County to register for disaster assistance, said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Timothy J. Scranton. “These are difficult times for Arkansans and going to them directly to help with registration is one way we can speed up their recovery.” 

DSAT teams are visiting homes, businesses and churches to educate residents about state and federal assistance programs and to answer any questions specific to the registration process.

Homeowners, renters and businesses owners in Faulkner County can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Visiting a MRIC is not required to be considered for disaster assistance. It is just a convenient way to begin the application process.

The DSAT teams will continue to canvas neighborhoods as long as needed.

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).