Everything you need to know about FEMA's role during a hurricane (2024)

North Carolina, Raleigh- When a natural disaster occurs, local and state resources are not always sufficient to meet the needs of all affected people. For this reason, the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is essential, which intervenes when a state of emergency is declared and a formal request is made to the president of the United States.

“Our mission and top priority is to help people before, during and after a disaster. “FEMA works through state and tribal emergency management agencies to identify and respond to unmet needs related to disasters,” said Sherrell Pyatt, emergency management specialist and member of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Program, during his participation in the preparation forums organized by Enlace Latino NC.

Access the forums again at the following link fb.watch

Questions and answers about FEMA's role during a hurricane

ELNC: What services in Spanish does FEMA provide when it comes to natural disasters?

SP: We have a version of the FEMA website in Spanish. And for more information and details on how to prepare you can visit ready.gov. We also have materials for children. Our most popular resource, Get ready with Pedro, is available in Spanish. And many of our publications and community program materials can also be found in Spanish. Additionally, we have a translation line available for those who need immediate assistance. There are many resources in Spanish!

ELNC: How can we properly prepare for hurricane season?

SP: The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1. If you haven't already, it's time to prepare. We recommend that you visit Know Your Area, make an emergency plan, recognize warnings and alerts, gather supplies, have technology ready, fortify your home, review important documents and identify if you or a family member may need additional help. For more details or more information on how to prepare visit ready.gov.

ELNC: At what point in a natural disaster does FEMA become actively involved?

SP: If a state exhausts its resources, the governor can request a major disaster declaration. If the declaration is approved by the president, then FEMA is responsible for executing disaster programs as designated in the declaration. FEMA will support local and state disaster recovery efforts to ensure survivors have access to all available resources to recover from the incident. And we usually stay until our help is no longer needed.

ELNC: Families impacted by the hurricanes told us the need to have inspectors who speak Spanish. We are often told that FEMA inspectors come, but many times it is the children who must act as interpreters. Are there inspectors who speak Spanish? If they do not have them, what can families do to be able to communicate what is happening in their homes?

SP: If a survivor needs translation service during an inspection, they can call the FEMA toll-free line at 18006213362 and press button 2 for assistance in Spanish. The home inspection is part of FEMA's process for verifying damage and helps determine available assistance options. But inspectors are not FEMA employees, they are contractors. And usually after a survivor applies for disaster assistance, a FEMA-contracted inspector will contact them. But it is important to call the FEMA line to contact an interpreter.

ELNC: There are families who have reported aggressive treatment by inspectors. If someone needs to make a complaint about the treatment of the inspectors, where can they report it?

SP: Precisely for this reason we need to have more people at FEMA who speak Spanish and can communicate with the public. If there is a problem with FEMA employees, we have a External Civil Rights Division. Then anyone can contact that office, or call the line to have someone on the line contact them.

ELNC: FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which is why there are members of our community who associate it with immigration authorities. We know that when there is a natural disaster and FEMA comes in, you do not go with the intention of arresting people. Even the Department of Homeland Security issues statements ordering the cessation of arrests. Can you expand a little on this issue that fears many people?

SP: This is a very important topic. FEMA is effectively part of the Department of Homeland Security but our mission is to help anyone in need. FEMA does not provide information to other parts of the Department. We help anyone eligible for assistance.

ELNC: What opportunities does the Latino community have to get involved? with FEMA?

SP: Most of our works are published in usajobs.gov. We have different categories of employees: permanent, temporary, intermittent. We always need more bilingual staff. And they can also volunteer on a community response team. We offer training and support for that.

ELNC: Do volunteers necessarily have to be American citizens or is immigration status not taken into account?

SP: You don't have to be a citizen to volunteer, but for paid jobs you do need to be a citizen or have a green resident card.

Watch the full interview with Sherrell Pyatt biting here.

You may also be interested:

📌 Everything you need to know about the role of the American Red Cross during a hurricane

📌 Everything you need to know about NCDHHS's role during a hurricane

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