10/22/07: WILDFIRES HOTLINE AVAILABLE FOR REPORTING GAPS IN DISASTER RELIEF/RESPONSE SERVICES
October 22, 2007
Contact: Ben Smilowitz — 314-761-7631
Ben@DisasterAccountability.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WILDFIRES HOTLINE AVAILABLE FOR REPORTING GAPS IN DISASTER RELIEF/RESPONSE SERVICES
DISTRIBUTE TOLL FREE NUMBER IN AFFECTED AREAS: 866-9-TIP-DAP (866-984-7327)
Gaps In Disaster Services More Likely To Get Fixed If Made Public
The Disaster Accountability Project’s toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is ready for CA wildfire-related calls. California residents, firefighters, and relief volunteers can report problems or whistle-blow gaps in disaster relief services in the wildfire response and relief effort. Individuals should use the toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) to report the specific location and nature of the disaster relief/response gaps.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THE TOLL FREE NUMBER IN AFFECTED AREAS: 866-9-TIP-DAP (866-984-7327)
“The sooner gaps in services are realized, the faster they’ll be addressed by the organizations and/or agencies responsible. If people don’t know their local evacuation plans or rides are unavailable for individuals without cars, the public needs to know so these problems can be addressed immediately,” said Ben Smilowitz, Director, Disaster Accountability Project, and former site-manager of a Red Cross Client Service Center in Gulfport, MS soon after Katrina hit. “After Katrina, there was no whistleblower hotline. Public knowledge about gaps in disaster relief or responses services will better ensure theyíre quickly addressedóand made a top priority.”
The nonpartisan Disaster Accountability Project provides accountability and oversight to the nation’s disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery systems through monitoring and policy research.
A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available as a public service for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical service gaps that must be made public and addressed. The group is recruiting a network of Disaster Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and raise awareness about gaps in disaster relief services.
The Disaster Accountability Project’s website is https://disasteraccountability.org
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