CDP staffers assist FEMA through deployments

Several employees from the Center for Domestic Preparedness are currently deployed, assisting FEMA relief missions in Puerto Rico and Florida, which were impacted by hurricanes Fiona and Ian.

Blake Stone, a program specialist for the CDP, is among those assisting with the relief mission in Florida. Stone is assisting survivors in southern Brevard County with questions regarding applications for FEMA assistance, registrations and file updates.

“This is a great opportunity to be in the communities, interacting with survivors and assisting them in taking the next step toward recovery,” said Stone, adding that this was his first deployment in support of FEMA operations.

Rick Brewer, the director of External Affairs for the CDP, has been working with the media in a three-county area, which includes the cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral and The Keys, to get information about FEMA assistance to survivors.

This is Brewer’s first deployment in support of FEMA. He said, “The work is demanding, but also very rewarding.”

Other CDP employees in Florida and Puerto Rico are working in logistics, internal affairs and various areas of the relief missions.

Numerous employees from the CDP have assisted FEMA through deployments over the years. Notably, in 2018, nearly 20 CDP staffers deployed in support of hurricane relief efforts across the Southeast, following hurricanes Florence and Michael. In 2012, more than 40 employees also assisted FEMA efforts in the Northeast, in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.