SUBJECT: Southern Gulf Region Relief Guidance

The Secretary has authorized Department of Commerce employees to
volunteer for a detail in support for the relief effort in the Southern
Gulf Region. Volunteers must e-mail the Office of Human Resources
Management (OHRM) at <volunteer@doc.gov>. Once notified, OHRM will
forward your contact information to FEMA. If you are selected for a
field assignment, you will be contacted directly by FEMA with
instructions on when to report for training.

In order to volunteer, you must 1) be a Government employee; 2) possess
supervisory approval; 3) obtain a Citibank Government travel card. Upon
approval by FEMA, DOC volunteers will use the following guidance to
prepare for this detail:

**[Travel Authorizations]{.underline}**: The employing agency, **not
FEMA**, will prepare a limited open travel authorization that states
"travel and transportation expenses will be reimbursed by FEMA". Travel
authorizations should include:

1)  a statement that shows it's a limited open authorization, not to
    exceed 30 days;

2)  costs for a one-way ticket to FEMA's Long Term Recovery Office
    (FLTRO) in Orlando, FL;

3)  actual subsistence not to exceed 150% of per diem for several days
    at FEMA's FLTRO in Orlando, FL;

4)  compact size rental car in and around Orlanda, FL;

5)  actual subsistence not to exceed 150% of per diem for the follow on
    assignment location. Note: Since volunteers will not know their
    assignment location until they get to the FLTRO, travel
    authorizations should show Southern Gulf Region, i.e., Texas,
    Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Per diem should be
    based on deployment to New Orleans, LA which is \$109.00 lodging and
    \$47.00 M&IE. However, if the volunteer is assigned to a location
    other than New Orleans, LA, they will be reimbursed based on the
    location of their assignment.

**[Payment Method]{.underline}**: All travel, including expenses to the
assignment location, will be charged to the volunteer's Citibank
Government travel card.

> **[Travel Vouchers]{.underline}**: Volunteers should submit travel
> vouchers to their servicing NOAA finance office every two weeks. If
> the length of assignment is known, travelers should estimate how many
> travel vouchers will potentially be submitted and number each
> submission appropriately (i.e. 1 of 4). Traveler shall annotate the
> last voucher with "Final Voucher". This communicates to finance that
> the original authorization allocation can be closed.
>
> **[FEMA Reimbursement Procedures for Hurricane Relief:]{.underline}**
>
> <http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/~finance/FEMA.doc>
>
> **[Arranging Travel]{.underline}**: Volunteers will utilize SATO when
> arranging travel to the FLTRO. After training and once field
> assignments are determined, FEMA will utilize their travel service
> provider (1-800-537-1064) to arrange transportation from Orlando to
> the volunteers' field location.
>
> **[FLTRO]{.underline}:** Starting Monday, September 12, 2005, all
> pre-deployment training will be conducted in FEMA's Long Term Recovery
> Office (FLTRO), in Orlando Florida. FLTRO's Address: 100 Sun Port
> Lane, Orlando FL, 32809; Telephone: 407-858-2000
>
> **[Airport:]{.underline}** Orlando International is the only major
> airport within driving distance (15 miles; travel time approximately
> 30 minutes)

**[Lodging:]{.underline}**

  --------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
  **Hotel**                   **Location**           **Phone \#**

  AmeriSuites                 Augusta Drive          407-240-3939

  AmeriSuites                 I-Drive                407-370-4720

  Embassy Suites              Airport                407-888-9339

  Fairfield Inn                                      407-888-2666

  Fairfield Inn               Universal              404-345-9073

  Fairfield Inn               Buena Vista            407-938-9001

  Florida Mall Hotel                                 407-859-1500

  Hampton Inn                                        407-888-2995

  Hampton Inn                 SOBT                   407-859-4100

  Hawthorn suites             Seaworld               407-351-6600

  Hawthorn suites             Universal              407-581-2151

  Hawthorn suites             Downtown               407-597-5000

  Hawthorn suites             Airport                407-438-2121

  Hilton Grand Vacation                              407-239-0100

  Holiday Inn                                        407-851-6400

  Homestead Suites                                   407-829-2332

  Homewood Suites                                    407-328-0067

  Hyatt                                              407-825-1234

  Marriott                    Downtown               407-843-6664

  Marriott                    Courtyard              407351-2244

  Marriott                    Airport                407-851-9000

  Marriott                    Grand Lakes            407-206-2300

  Peabody Orlando                                    407-352-4000

  Residence Inn               Airport/Universal      407-226-0288

  Residence Inn               Buena Vista            407-465-0075

  Residence Inn               Seaworld               407-313-3600

  Sheraton                                           407-240-5555

  Sheridan Suites                                    407-240-5555

  Springhill Suites           Universal              407-345-9073

  Wyndham                                            407-351-2420
  --------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------

**[Packing for Deployment:]{.underline}** If you have these items at
home, bringing them will save you buying them later in Orlando. Most of
these items are **recommended** if you are doing work in the disaster
area, such as community relations or outreach.

1\. Personal clothing for hot, humid weather to include hiking socks and
sturdy shoes/boots (especially if you will be doing community relations
work).

2\. Personal hygiene/toiletry items (limited supplies in the disaster
areas)

3\. Extra supply of prescription eyeglasses/contacts/sunglasses

4\. Personal prescription medications/vitamins

5\. Inoculations record -- especially tetanus

6\. Back pack

7\. Whistle -- communication in field

8\. Flashlight with batteries (take extra batteries)

9\. Hat for sun protection

10\. Insect repellent (containing DEET or Picaridin)

11\. Sun screen -- at least SPF 30

12\. Multi-purpose knife/tool (put in check-in luggage)

13\. Light weight Rain gear

14\. Cell Phone (with car charging adapter) and/or calling card

15\. Emergency contact information

16\. Soap, liquid, anti-bacterial and Hand Sanitizer and wet wipes

17\. Lip balm with sunscreen protection

18\. Snacks such as nutrition bars, crackers, etc.

Please see <http://ohrm.os.doc.gov/static/PROD01_001098.pdf> for
additional information.