The long-term recovery committees are made up of faith-based, community-based, and voluntary agencies. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel from the voluntary agency liaison group, in partnership with the individual assistance staff from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), also help with the coordination and keep voluntary organizations up to date with any changes in federal policy.
"The need for these long-term recovery committees is crucial to the welfare of those who have lost so much," said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall of FEMA. "The voluntary agencies involved continue to provide help long after the emergency phase has passed."
"Local, state and federal agencies are doing all we can to help those affected recover as quickly as possible, but we can't do it alone," said Henry Renteria, director of OES and state coordinating officer for the fire recovery effort. "Volunteer agencies have played and continue to play a vital role. We are committed to continuing to work with them to help those affected by the fires recover as quickly as possible."
Additional long-term recovery committees will be developed in the counties of San Diego and San Bernardino.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
» More Information on California Wildfires
