FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     Peter Judge, MEMA PIO
June 3, 2011                                                                                                (508) 820-2002 

HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY SEVERE WEATHER ENCOURAGED TO REPORT DAMAGE THROUGH MASS 2-1-1 SYSTEM

FRAMINGHAM, MA – In response to the severe weather of June 1, 2011, private homeowners and businesses are encouraged to report damages using the Mass 2-1-1 system.  Collection of this damage data is important as the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) continues to assess the magnitude of this event and will assist in determining if federal disaster assistance may be available for those property owners and businesses most heavily impacted by this event.   

As local officials will be busy assisting their impacted residents recover from this event, reporting damages directly to Mass 2-1-1 will assist MEMA in the damage assessment process.  Those calling Mass 2-1-1 will be asked to provide basic information regarding name, address and type of damage.

MEMA has designated Mass 2-1-1 as the Commonwealth’s primary telephone information call center during times of emergency. This important partnership affords citizens the opportunity to access vital, up-to-date disaster information, numerous post-disaster programs, interpreter services, and tracking of caller locations, greatly reducing the number of non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1.  Residents should continue to use 9-1-1 for emergency or life safety issues.   By dialing 2-1-1 in Massachusetts, callers are connected to local services - from food, clothing, and shelter assistance to counseling, legal and financial services, and much more.  Learn more about Mass 2-1-1 by visiting: www.mass211.org or find help online by visiting: www.mass211help.org.  Mass 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

 
Peter W. Judge
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702-5399
 
Direct: 508.820-2002
24 hr.: 508.820.2000
Fax: 508.820.2030
peter.judge@state.ma.us