WASHINGTON, DC – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials today announced the launch of FEMA’s redesigned Spanish Web site, www.fema.gov/espanol. As part of FEMA’s mission to be Prepared, Responsive, and Committed and commemorating the National Hispanic Heritage Month, the site was deployed to cover the needs of Spanish-speakers nationwide and establishes a new stage in the agency’s multilingual communications efforts.
Launched at the end of September, the redesigned FEMA Spanish Web site www.fema.gov/espanol is a continuance of the preparedness message from National Preparedness Month and commemorates National Hispanic Heritage Month. “The launch of this site is part of our effort to ensure that communities across country continue to have the tools necessary to be prepared before an emergency or disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.
The site is focused on individuals and families in multi-hazard disasters. It includes information on what to do before (preparedness), during (response) and after (recovery and mitigation) disasters. Disaster survivors can also register for disaster assistance through www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol and, when activated, can look for loved ones displaced during emergencies through the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator systems. Both applications are available in Spanish.
The new design features a simple format with main topics divided in blocks of three for easy access. The first block includes information like disaster information, preparedness, and mitigation. The second block includes action items such as recent news, major warnings and relevant information just one click away, i.e. hurricane preparedness, National Preparedness Month and H1N1. The third block includes general information like current disasters, types of disasters and what to do before, during and after different types of natural or man-made emergencies as well as links to other government agencies active in disasters.