|
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the establishment of a Local Assistance Center to help victims of the Angora Wildfire. The center, located at Lake Tahoe Community College, will provide state and local services to assist those who have been displaced by the wildfire, suffering property loss and economic and other damages.
"Residents and property owners have suffered tremendous losses. This assistance center will provide important services and help the people of the Lake Tahoe area recover," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I would also like to caution the victims of this fire to beware of the scam artists that follow disasters and prey on those vulnerable in situations like this."
Low-interest Federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the Angora Wildfire. SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Local Assistance Center in South Lake Tahoe, which is already in operation, to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application," he continued.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Branch is working with the State and Consumer Services Agency, Department of Insurance, Contractors State License Board and the County of El Dorado today to develop a program to prevent consumer fraud relating to the fire recovery efforts.
The center, located at Lake Tahoe Community College, One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA (next to the Library), will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to provide the services by the following state agencies:
· Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
· Contractors State Licensing Board
· Department of Health Services Office of Vital Records
· Department of Insurance
· Department of Motor Vehicles
· Department of Veterans Affairs
· Employment Development Department
El Dorado County agencies present at the Local Assistance Center include:
· Building Department
· Human Services Department
· Mental Health Department
Individuals and business owners unable to visit the Local Assistance Center may obtain information by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955. Hearing impaired individuals may call toll-free (800) 877-8339. Or visit SBA's website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is September 4, 2007. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 7, 2008.
For more information contact the OES Office of Public Information at 916-845-8400
| 