Proposed Central Florida Facility Would Be Built in Deltona
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Winter Park) testified today before a House Appropriations Committee for federal assistance to establish a Central Florida regional emergency shelter, to be located in Deltona.
"Central Florida has experienced tremendous growth in recent years," Mica said. "Unfortunately improvements to our emergency infrastructure have not been able to keep pace with this growth. We have a responsibility to adequately ensure our citizens have somewhere safe to turn in the event of a future disaster."
Mica testified before the House Subcommittee on VA-HUD-Independent Agencies, which provides funds to community development projects as well as the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Congress is currently working to pass federal budget bills for fiscal year 2001, which begins this coming October 1.
"Recent disasters and near misses have highlighted the need for a regional emergency shelter for our Central Florida population," Mica stated. "Currently citizens around the Deltona area use local high schools as emergency facilities, and these do not adequately provide protection from hurricanes or tornaodoes, nor do they have the necessary capacity for our growing population."
Mica continued, "Federal assistance would meet a very important need for Southwest Volusia County. The facility would serve as a community center during normal times, and during disasters it would help save lives and alleviate future costs and demand on our emergency management agencies."
Federal funds hopefully will be included in the FY 2001 VA-HUD-Independent Agencies Appropriations bill, which is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives in late May or early June.