Disaster Assistance Centers Disaster assistance centers (DAC) may be called various things but their core function is to provide a location where the public can receive assistance and information regarding their property. The DAC will often assemble a multitude of agency staff who will bring flyers, guidance, fact sheets, forms for completion, and provide a point of contact to answer questions and concerns. The idea is to provide a one-stop location for the public to get information and answers to their questions topic by topic. Agencies that might be included: • Fire agencies • Law enforcement • Environmental Health services
locations for services, processes that will require the public engagement, health and safety, and other public announcements and cautions. • Communications should reflect the needs of the incident; however, most often multiple communications channels (e.g., websites, mass evacuation centers, text alerts, phone calls, social media, and media briefings) are necessary to reach the population. Ensure messaging is available online, via print and in the primary languages spoken in the community. • Communications should be coordinated and reviewed by appropriate cooperating agencies to ensure conflicts do not exist and the messaging is clear, timely, and accurate. For example, with multiple agencies concerned about air quality and the effects on the community, they all need to coordinate with each other to ensure the messages do not conflict. • Be clear when announcing evacuations as to whether they are mandatory or voluntary. Lack of specificity on evacuation borders and evacuation types (voluntary versus mandatory) can lead to confusion and speculation.
• State offices of emergency services • Public Works and Road Departments • Mortgage companies • Highway Patrol and/or Department of Motor Vehicles • Insurance agencies and companies • Taxing entities • Animal care agencies
• Public Health • Mental health • Federal Emergency Management Agency • Housing support services • Social support services
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