Florida Crisis Responders to Focus on Brevard County
Aug 25, 2008
Office of the Attorney General--August 25, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Crisis Response Team (FCRT) has deployed more than 25 responders to areas throughout Central Florida, according to the Attorney General’s Statewide Crisis Response Coordinator, Cheryl Ricciardi. The FCRT provides emotional support and advocacy, training and planning for communities in the aftermath of hurricanes and other disasters.
The responders are currently focusing on several locations in Brevard County, including Lamplighter Village and Barefoot Bay. Lamplighter Village experienced heavy flooding from Tropical Storm Fay and Barefoot Bay was devastated by tornadoes last week. A third team will focus on a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Melbourne.
The FCRT is comprised of more than 800 crisis responders statewide, including victim service professionals from the Attorney General’s Office and other agencies, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, clergy, mental health professionals, nurses, and community members. The responders provide assistance to community leaders in planning short- and long- term activities in response to a disaster, provide crisis intervention training to local caregivers, and provide group crisis intervention sessions for other personnel involved in disaster response.
The FCRT may either be activated by the state or at the request of an individual community. Community leaders may request assistance by contacting their local EOC. More information about county EOCs is available online at: http://www.floridadisaster.org/fl_county_em.asp.