FEMA to streamline disaster inspection processes
Montreal, QC, June 21, 2006 — Silanis Technology, the industry’s most experienced electronic signature provider with more than two million government and commercial users, today announced that field inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess damage caused by disasters and emergency situations will soon be able to submit their full reports electronically, including forms that require signatures from victims.
Field inspectors visiting the affected areas will be equipped with Silanis’ electronic signing application and a tablet PC. After gathering information from the victim and completing an assessment of the damage, the inspector will have the person electronically sign the form needed to give FEMA the authorization to verify all information and make a decision whether to grant emergency insurance funds or not.
“Eliminating the time delays associated with moving and managing paper will enable FEMA to respond to citizens-in-need faster,” said Rich Warren, CEO of Silanis Technology. “Because requests for emergency funds will be submitted electronically, FEMA will receive them sooner which should shave time off of the total decision-making cycle.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters. Approximately 2,500 full-time employees in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate are supplemented by more than 5,000 stand-by disaster reservists.
FEMA’s disaster assistance program provides money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. The program covers critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways, including: housing, medical and dental, clothing, funeral and burial, fuel for heating, and clean-up expenses.
About Silanis
Founded in 1992, Silanis Technology Inc. is the largest and most experienced provider of electronic signature solutions. More than 1,100 government and commercial organizations, representing two million users, depend on Silanis' solutions to accelerate operations, improve service, and reduce costs. The company’s solutions not only eliminate the inefficiencies of paper, they provide reliable and auditable business records needed to demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, standards, regulations and policies. www.silanis.com.
About FEMA
On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA's mission within the department is to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.