Davie Hurricane Relief

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported on October 1, 2005, that confidentiality concerns are preventing the Town of Davie from assisting local residents adversely affected by Katrina after it moved through Broward County as a Category 1 event. The paper revealed how privacy rules prevent local relief organizations such as the Red Cross, the EASE Foundation and HOPE Outreach from revealing names to local government officials who try to follow up with meaningful assistance on the status of displaced residents in the aftermath of emergency events.

One of the goals of this web site is to help in local relief efforts and to serve as a clearinghouse and resource to assist in the weeks and months following a hurricane or other disaster. When seeking information about those displaced, DavieHurricaneRelief.org has also run into a wall of silence. We are not seeking to publish the names, addresses or pictures of anyone affected unless victims desire such an effort in order to gain assistance. What we offer is a confidential way to channel resources to those in need in conjunction with the organizations already providing relief and local government. By operating as a key information source for Davie relief efforts, this site has the potential for much good. However, the present confidentiality rules have frustrated that purpose.

The Executive Director of EASE Foundation, which is based in Davie, was quoted in the article as saying, "It's difficult to give out people's names without their permission." Council Member Susan Starkey and the article correctly point out a key conflict which is preventing effective post-disaster relief from being delivered.

The solution is simple. Seek permission. Each local relief agency should be asked to request those they assist after hurricanes and other disasters if they want their contact information shared with the Town of Davie. Confidentiality waiver forms should be offered by those who provide emergency services so each affected adult can decide if he or she wishes to waive any federal and state privacy laws and relief organization rules. Such waiver forms would enable local government to assist in follow up efforts. If local relief groups are reluctant to utilize such forms, the Davie Town Council should consider an ordinance requiring all local charitable organizations who receive Town funding to offer the forms, which would be voluntarily filled out by affected residents at the time initial help is provided. Those that elect to waive confidentiality and share information with the Town could then have their waiver forms given to the Town Administrator's office to build a database for consideration of additional assistance.

With the Town of Davie building its local hurricane relief fund, the hope is that someday soon it will be a significant resource to help local residents rebuild and get through hard times. If the Town cannot locate and identify those in need, the purpose of the fund is completely subverted and the hands of local government are unreasonably tied. As future hurricanes threaten South Florida, we need to get past this layer of red tape and provide efficient opportunities to communicate. Let's start using voluntary confidentiality waiver forms and give future victims a choice on the issue of privacy in urgent times of need.

-the Editor, 10.1.05

Please donate to the

Town of Davie Hurricane Relief Fund

The Town of Davie Hurricane Relief Fund has been established by the Town Council to provide help to those displaced by Hurricane Katrina and to provide a base of support for local responses to the challenges of future hurricanes and other Town wide emergencies. The funds raised will be for efforts not covered by FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army or other major relief organizations. Donations are tax deductible. Please send your checks, made payable to "Town of Davie" to the Town of Davie Hurricane Relief Fund, 6591 Orange Drive, Davie, FL 33314.