Hartzler: FEMA left Joplin in the dark

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) today introduced legislation to foster more open communications between FEMA’s disaster response operations and those communities struggling with the aftermath of a major disaster by providing more transparency, increased consistency, and ultimately, better assistance during the recovery phase. Stemming from concerns raised about FEMA’s response to the record-setting flood in 2013 in southern Missouri, this bill makes sure FEMA is providing the information and assistance needed to our communities during its response to a major disaster.

“Between the Joplin tornadoes in 2011 and the flood in 2013, recently Missourians have faced some difficult circumstances,” Hartzler said. “While FEMA has been there to help with the recovery, some were left in the dark when it came to important matters such as the status of their applications and grants, what was being done to help, and which agency or person they should speak with at any given time.”

“This bill takes the lessons we learned from those recoveries, and requires that FEMA implement processes to provide consistent guidance for disaster relief, maintain accurate and appropriate records of recovery efforts, and use the technology available to best disseminate information to those affected,” Hartzler added. “This bill will make sure that not only Missourians, but all Americans going through an emergency, will know what is going on and be confident that relief is on its way.”