WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the wildfire
situation in Southern California continues to improve, the 2-1-1 system in
the six affected counties is being singled out for special recognition for
its work in connecting people and needed services without overloading
emergency services according to AIRS (The Alliance of Information and
Referral Systems).
2-1-1 is a national partnership between AIRS and the United Way of
America. AIRS and United Way created Disaster Response Teams during
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The DRT system was activated for the wildfire
disaster and it allowed professional 2-1-1 specialists from across the
country to work with local staff and volunteers to provide the highest
standards of 2-1-1 services in the affected areas. A total of 22 DRT
members arrived between October 24 and 27. These volunteers came from
Florida, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Hawaii, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia,
West Virginia, Michigan, Oregon, North Carolina and other parts of
California.
2-1-1 is a simple easy to remember three digit telephone number that
puts people and services together. In only a few short years 211 has
transformed access to human services.
2-1-1 services in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino,
Ventura and Riverside Counties responded to tens of thousands of important
calls including 25,000 in San Diego alone last Wednesday. The critical role
of 2-1-1 is to answer non-emergency calls in the midst of a disaster and
for being part of the support system for helping people to put their lives
together in the aftermath of a disaster.
As of June 2007, 2-1-1 is available to approximately 198 million
Americans or 65 percent of the U.S. population. 2-1-1 receives no federal
funding or support for full nationwide implementation. However legislation
to accomplish this is pending in the Senate (S 211-Clinton) and House (H.R.
211 Eshoo) under the title of "Calling for 2-1-1 Act."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
AIRS is the international professional association of information and
referral providers throughout the United States, Canada and around the
world. Incorporated in 1973 the mission of AIRS is to advance the capacity
of Information and Referral Providers to better serve their communities.
For more information go to http://www.airs.org.
SOURCE The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
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Related links:
http://wwwAIRS.org
CONTACT:
Bob Blancato, +1-202-789-0470,
rblancato@matzblancato.com, for the Alliance of Information and
Referral Systems
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