The Office of the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Todd H. Stroger, President Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

The Office of the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners,

Todd H. Stroger, President Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management 

Media Advisory:  For Immediate Release

Media Contacts: Ray Rubio, Public Information Officer 312-603-8180, 312-523-8601, rrubio@cookcountygov.com
James Ramos, Public Affairs and Communications, 312-603-0365, cell 312-590-4209, jaramos@cookcountygov.com

Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM), and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), officials discussed relief assistance for Cook County residents who were impacted by the severe weather from July 22 through August 7, 2010

Chicago – September  2,  2010  - Today officials from different agencies  discussed  disaster relief  efforts , assistance available, and recovery center locations in a press conference that was held at Cook County Administrative Building at 69 West Washington.

• Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM), Executive Director, David R. Ramos talked about the four (4) locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers.

• The Town of Cicero at the Cicero Public Safety Center located at 5410 West 34^th street, Cicero Illinois 60854

• The Village of Westchester at the old Saint Joseph High School located at 1840 South Mayfair Avenue, Westchester, Illinois 60154

• The City of Chicago at 4905 West North Avenue, Chicago Illinois, 60639

• The Town of Freeport in Stephenson County, 295 West Lamm Road, 61032

Greg Eaton the Federal Coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said.

94% of the applicants are residents of Cook County.

 78.7 million dollars have been preapproved by FEMA.

74.9 million  dollars have been paid.

45,427 residents of the seven (7) counties applied for help.

18% applied online.

31,433 homes have been inspected.

He also said, if you were denied read the letter carefully and see why you were denied, and stay in touch with FEMA.

He pointed out that if the resident is not comfortable with the FEMA inspector please call FEMA and another inspector will be sent out to the home.

He stated FEMA doesn’t have contractors.

SBA Alana Chavez said, SBA Disaster Loans are for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-for profit agencies.

Jimmy Thompson the Regional Coordinator – Region 4 for Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), spoke about how fast and effective the action and collaboration between the agencies has been.

Martha Carlos Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago mentioned that The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago opened a regional shelter for the residents displaced by the flooding in the Western Suburbs; 40 people took them up on their offer for shelter and stayed at the facility. They served more than 522 meals, 955 snacks and 15,000 bottles of water and ice at the shelter and to people who were displaced by the flooding. They also issued nearly 200 clean up kits and supported 170 people with mental health support and referrals. They provided financial assistance for forty (40) families (114) people to provide the means for immediate needs such as food and shelter.

Major David Dalberg, Disaster Services Director for the Metropolitan Division for the Salvation Army said that the Salvation Army gave 8,426 Salvation Army Clean Up Kits to residents of Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Westchester.

President Stroger praises Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (CCDHSEM), The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), The Red Cross, and The Salvation Army  for there diligent and significant efforts to bring comfort to the residents of Cook County.