FKDC Supports Fire Prevention Week

From October 5-11, 2008, fire safety advocates will spread the word to their communities that, with a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials – is within their power.

Did you know...?

• Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
• Heating fires are the second-leading cause of home fires.
• The majority of home fires start in the kitchen.
• Older adults are at the highest risk of death or injury from smoking-material (cigarettes, cigars) fires even though they are less likely to smoke than younger adults.
• January and December were the peak months for home fires and home fire deaths.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home structure fires in half.

For more fire facts and for information on how YOU can prevent home fires, log on to the National Fire Prevention Association at http://www.nfpa.org/

FKDC anuncia los recursos del desastre en español.

FKDC anuncia los recursos del desastre en español.

Las necesidades y capacidades de cada persona son únicas, pero cada persona puede adoptar medidas importantes para prepararse para todo tipo de emergencias e implementar planes.

• Ancianos: http://www.listo.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html
• Para personas discapacitadas: http://www.listo.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
• Cruz Roja Americana: http://www.cruzrojaamericana.org/index.asp
• Anuncios de servicio público sobre desastres naturales: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/psa/es/

FKDC Supports National Preparedness Month

The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) supports September as National Preparedness Month. On our website, you'll find resources to help educate staff and patients on the critical need to prepare for emergencies.

http://www.fkdc.org/NPMR.htm

Disaster Recovery Centers open for Florida residents impacted by Fay

Community Relations teams and Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will still be assisting individuals, households and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Fay in Brevard, Hendry, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Volusia counties.

The DRCs will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are located at:

Brevard County:

Agricultural Center
3695 Lake Drive
Cocoa 32926

Near Lamplighter Village
503 N. John Rodes Blvd.
Melbourne 32901

Grant Street Community Center
2547 Grant St.
Melbourne 32934

Hendry County:

Labelle Rodeo Grounds
100 Rodeo St.
Labelle 33935

Okeechobee County:

[Across from County Courthouse]
304 N.W. 2nd St.
Okeechobee 34972

St. Lucie County:

St. Lucie Logistics Center
3855 S. U.S. Highway 1
Fort Pierce 34982

Volusia County:

Wal-Mart parking lot
2400 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Orange City 32763

The DRCs are staffed with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State Emergency Response Team (SERT) disaster recovery specialists and representatives from voluntary agencies. They are ready to help survivors through the process of applying for disaster assistance.

Applicants should register by calling FEMA's toll-free line at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call TTY number at 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7 a.m. to midnight daily until further notice. Application for disaster assistance can also be made by registering online at www.fema.gov or at a Disaster Recovery Center.

Once registered, FEMA disaster recovery specialists can check an individual's case, answer questions about their claim, or request information FEMA needs to process their claim. Recovery specialists can also supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.

In addition, Community Relations teams visiting the declared disaster counties will provide information about disaster registration to businesses, homeowners and renters who suffered uninsured damages and losses due to Tropical Storm Fay.

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.