FEMA Advisory with Hawaiʻi Wildfires Partners Toolkit

FEMA Advisory

Hawaii Wildfires Partners Toolkit

FEMA requests your help delivering important information about recovery to the survivors of the Hawaii wildfires.

LINK TO DOWNLOADABLE PDF

Below you will find resources that you can use to provide information to your communities and encourage survivors to:

Take steps to get federal assistance
Use credible sources of information
Find mental health support
Locate loved ones

Websites

FEMA.gov | Hawaii Wildfires (available in multiple languages)
DisasterAssistance.gov
Ready.gov: Recovering from Disaster, Wildfires, Helping Children Cope
Listo.gov: Recuperarse de un desastre, Incendios forestales

Sample Text for E-mails, Handouts and Flyers

FEMA and its federal partners are on the ground on Maui to assist survivors as they begin their long-term recovery plan. If you have been impacted by the Hawaii wildfires, there are resources available to help jumpstart your recovery:

Residents of Maui County who have been affected by this tragedy should register for FEMA assistance. Survivors with internet or telephone access can register for assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
For detailed updates about FEMA’s ongoing response and recovery efforts in Hawaii, as well as available resources, please visitFEMA.gov | Hawaii Wildfires.
To learn how to stay safe during and after wildfires, including tips on safe debris clean-up, visit Wildfires | Ready.gov.
For those trying to locate loved ones, a Family Assistance Center is open at the Kahului Community Center for residents who are trying to locate family members or loved ones. Those with phone access can also call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
To access emotional support or counseling for this traumatic event, you can call or text the FREE, confidential Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration disaster distress hotline and speak to professional counselors at 1-800-985-5990. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language (ASL) use your mobile device to call 1-800-985-5990 or click on “ASL Now” at disasterdistress.samhsa.gov to contact an ASL fluent crisis worker.
Beware of fraud and scams. After a disaster there are often scams and rumors that target survivors. Please use official local, state and federal sources for credible information. Survivors should never trust someone claiming to be a disaster assistance employee asking for money. Local and federal disaster assistance workers do not solicit or accept money.
If you are looking for ways to help, visit hawaiistatevoad.org. These organizations provide a variety of assistance to survivors. Cash donations are preferred because they offer voluntary agencies the flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources.

Apply for Assistance

Maui residents affected by the ongoing wildfires can now apply for federal disaster assistance.

Three easy ways to apply:

‒ Online: http://DisasterAssistance.gov

‒ Call: 800-621-3362 (Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language)

‒ FEMA App: http://fema.gov/app

Link to flyer: https://www.fema.gov/node/3-ways-apply-assistance-graphics

FEMA Speaks Your Language

There is support if you were affected by wildfires in Hawaii. No matter what language you speak, FEMA can help.

Online: http://fema.gov/disaster/4724

Call the FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362

Link to flyer: https://www.fema.gov/node/fema-speaks-your-language-graphics

How to Help

Are you looking for ways to help survivors from the Maui wildfire? The @NationalVOAD is a great place to find trusted organizations that are helping the various communities. The best way to help after a disaster is through cash donations. Check out:hawaiistatevoad.org.

Beware of Fraud and Scams

Please share this post to stop rumors and misinformation targeting survivors.

Trusted sources for Hawaii wildfire info:

@FEMARegion9
@CountyofMaui
@Hawaii_EMA
@Maui_EMA
@GovHawaii
@GovJoshGreenMD
@lgsylvialuke
@HawaiiDOH
@HawaiiRedCross

Find updates at: http://fema.gov/disaster/4724

Be aware that after a disaster, there often are many rumors and scams. Watch for & report suspicious activity.

Beware of scammers when applying for disaster assistance:

Ask FEMA reps to show you a photo ID badge
Keep your registration number & personal information safe
⚠️ Never agree to pay an application fee

Link to flyer: https://www.fema.gov/node/beware-fraud-and-scams-graphics

Crisis Counseling

Disasters can cause mental and emotional distress to survivors and loved ones. There are resources to help you through the experience.

Talk to a professional counselor via @samhsagov’s @distressline: 1-800-985-5990.

Finds tips to help children cope at http://ready.gov/kids/helping-children-cope.

Link to flyer: https://www.fema.gov/node/beware-fraud-and-scams-graphics

Ownership and Occupancy

Maui: If you are applying for disaster assistance and need guidance on how to provide proof of home ownership or occupancy, you have options. We accept lots of documents, many that can be accessed online.

Find the list of accepted documents: http://fema.gov/assistance/individual/after-applying/verifying-home-ownership-occupancy

Link to flyer: https://www.fema.gov/node/homeownership-flyers

Protect Yourself After a Wildfire

If you evacuated, return home ONLY when local officials say it is safe to do so. We can imagine how difficult and frustrating it is to have to stay away. Please know these instructions are for your safety.

If you have been told it is safe to return to your home or business, it is important to be aware of potential hazards after a wildfire. Use caution when entering a burned area: