Detachment of Florida
	Disaster Preparedness Committee

Presented by Jim Roberts Chairman, Detachment Disaster Preparedness Committee

Jim has been the Chairman of this committee since its creation during the 1994-1995 year, the year in which Jim was the Detachment Commander.  The purpose for creating the committee was to promote The American Legion National Emergency Fund with what he learned from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  Since then the committee has taken a new direction to assist the members of the Sons of The American Legion members and their families by providing ways to prepare for disasters and also providing information regarding current and potential disaster events.  In 2004 the State of Florida was devastated by four major hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne).  Jim participated in helping the members of The American Legion Family by coordinating the efforts of the Sons to get needed supplies into the affected areas to support the membership of The American Legion Family.  Jim has served as a volunteer firefighter and has volunteered and worked in some capacity within Emergency Management since 1987.  Jim is currently a Regional Coordinator for the Florida Division of Emergency Management and he coordinates emergency management activities within 9 counties in Central and East Central Florida. He continues to serve not just the organization but the citizens of Florida during emergencies and disasters.

Since 2004 the committee has taken on a new position that of teaching disaster preparedness to the members of The American Legion Family.  The committee continues to be evolve as it members are now assisting to coordinate efforts through out the Detachment as was evident with the 2005 Hurricane Season by assisting The American Legion Family with raising funds for the National Emergency Fund to support our members across the country.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the Florida Sons of The American Legion Disaster Preparedness Committee Web Page.  The purpose of this page is to promote The American Legion National Emergency Fund and to provide information on some of the hazards associated with natural disasters and to help you prepare for them.

Florida is a host to many hazards that could cause a disaster, most of which come from the weather.  Florida is prone a host of natural disasters that include hurricanes, tropical storm, tornados, floods, and fires.

In 1992 Hurricane Andrew lashed out and caused damage that resembled a war zone in South Dade County.  Many members of the Florida American Legion Family were affected by this terrible disaster.  The disaster could not have happened at a worse time as many of our members were attending the National Convention in Chicago, IL.  However, the National Emergency Relief Fund began to work for us before we even got home that weekend.

Once we returned, the work began to assist our comrades and begin the rebuilding process.  Several of our Legion Posts in the area were affected but none more than Homestead Post 43.  The post was at ground zero and felt the full brunt of Hurricane Andrew.  Several members the post sought shelter there and survived the worst part of the storm.  Today, those who sought shelter during that night will always be remembered with a plaque that hangs on the wall of the new post home, which by the way is just a few blocks from the old post which still stands.

Help came from all across the nation from our comrades thanks to the National Emergency Fund and we really appreciate everything that you did.

Since the early 1920’s, The American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion family members in the wake of disaster.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires…The American Legion National Emergency Fund was born out of natural disasters to compassionately heal the wounds of catastrophe and help save their homes. A major disaster could happen to any Legionnaire in any town at anytime and make them homeless.

The National Emergency Fund has provided over $3,000,000 in direct financial assistance to Legion family members and posts. The National Emergency Fund has kept posts from closing and enabled Legion family members to begin to rebuild their homes and their lives.

The eligibility requirements are very simple.  Any current year paid member of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion is eligible.  However, the member (applicant) must be a member in good standing with their post, unit or squadron and must have been a member prior to the date of the disaster.  Additionally, posts are eligible to receive grants from this fund provided they meet the established criteria.

1. Eligibility open to Legionnaires, Auxiliary ** and Sons members (up to $1,500).  (** If Auxiliary membership is less than 5 years continuous. Otherwise, will be forwarded to the National American Legion Auxiliary for consideration.)

2. Eligibility is also open Legion Posts (up to $5,000).

3. Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.)

4. Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application

National Emergency Fund grant applications may be obtained by contacting your Department Headquarters or by calling The American Legion National Headquarters.  Each application comes with easy to understand instructions explaining what information is required and where to send the application once completed.  At minimum, estimates of damage and photographs should be enclosed with each grant application.

As a note, any supporting documentation and photographs provided in support of the application, cannot be returned to the member concerned.

Details of the Application Process

1. Applications must be received within 90 days of disaster.

2. Disaster must be a “declared natural disaster" by Federal, State or local government authorities.

3. Supporting data (photos, repair estimates, etc.) should be included if at all possible or statements (testimony) from post/district/department officers attesting to damages.

4. Only one grant per household.

5. Not designed for insurance compensation, loss of business, outbuildings on your property (barns, tool sheds, silos, etc.), equipment (tractors or other farm vehicles), or any type of automobile.

Members must complete a National Emergency Fund Grant Application. Applications may be obtained by contacting your Department Headquarters.

Application is properly completed by applicant then sent to the Department Headquarters for approval.

If everything is in order, department will forward to National. Upon approval at the National level, a check will be sent to the Department Headquarters for delivery to the Legion Family Member or Post in distress

The Preamble to The American Legion Constitutions say it best, "....devotion to mutual helpfulness."  This phrase is more than just mere words on paper, it's our pledge of support to our distressed comrades.  We have an obligation to assist those less fortunate members when the need arises, and we do through our donations to the National Emergency Fund.

Listed below are some other ideas you may find helpful in your endeavor to ensure this fund remains financially capable of meeting out Legion family members' future disaster needs:

• Encourage your post, unit and squadron to make an annual contribution to the National Emergency Fund.
• Challenge your membership to make a personal donation in support of the National Emergency Fund.
• Advertise - Place National Emergency Fund information on your post bulletin board, in your post newsletter and in your department newspaper.
• Educate - Present National Emergency Fund at your monthly post meeting.  Use other opportunities to help educate our members about this fund.
• Encourage your elected leadership (post, district and department) to add this subject to their topics when they visit other posts.
• Have your post, unit or squadron hold an annual fundraising event, with the proceeds being donated to the National Emergency Fund.
• And so on, and so on.

We have an obligation to assist those less fortunate members when the need arises, and we do – through our donations to the National Emergency Fund.  All contributions made to this fund are deposited in a special account and are used exclusively to meet our member’s most urgent needs.  Not one single contribution dollar is used for fundraising, administrative costs or fulfillment.

The money in the fund comes by way of generous donations from Legionnaires, American Legion Auxiliary members and Sons of The American Legion members.

The ways you can help are endless.

SEND YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO:

Click the Image to Open an NEF Fillable Donation Form	You can also make your NEF donation on-line by clicking the NEF logo below.
Fill out the form on your computer and mail to: The American Legion National Emergency Fund P.O. Box 6141 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206