Set up FEMA Emergency Alternative Housing in the Rockaways NOW

http://www.change.org/petitions/set-up-fema-emergency-alternative-housing-in-the-rockaways-now

Petition by:

Greater NYC for Change
Founded shortly after the 2008 election by a small group of Obama volunteers, Greater NYC for Change has grown to more than 6,000 members representing the 5 boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island, plus Westchester. Greater NYC for Change provides a supportive and empowering community for people from all walks of life to become engaged and active around the vital social challenges of our day; giving New Yorkers the possibility to enact positive social change and be part of the greater cause for social justice. We have organized numerous teach-ins, neighborhood canvasses, phone banks, rallies, and legislative visits in partnership with other advocacy groups. We are active in elections and on issues such as Health Care Reform, Immigration, the Environment, Gun Control and more. In 2009, we were honored with the Health Care Justice Community Outreach Leadership Award for the New York metro area and recognized by Senator Schumer for our efforts. Greater NYC for Change serves as a hub for collaboration among inspired volunteers, knowledgeable professionals, elected officials, and other progressive organizations.

www.greaternycforchange.org/?p=956&preview=true

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Since Hurricane Sandy tore through New York City over two weeks ago, tens of thousands of people in the Rockaways have been living without heat, electricity, or running water -- and now freezing temperatures could threaten their lives.

Unless FEMA steps in right away, children, the elderly, and the sick could be in danger of hypothermia as they are exposed to freezing nighttime temperatures this week. Rockaway residents with no access to heat or electricity urgently need FEMA to set up emergency stations that will provide heat, warm meals, medical care, and a warm place to sleep.

Emergency workers and volunteers are helping storm victims around the clock -- but with the lines of communication down, storm victims in the Rockaways need our help getting their message out.

It's reported that full power may not be restored to the Rockaways until mid-December -- which is why it is so vital that the city dispatch emergency housing and supplies immediately. Please sign this petition right away and share it with everyone you can to help save lives in the Rockaways before it's too late.

This petition was started by Greater NYC for Change, part of a coalition of 45 political and advocacy groups seeking to bring attention to the needs of people in the Rockaways following Hurricane Sandy.

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Petition:

To:
The Governor of NY
New York City Mayor (Michael Bloomberg)
New York Emergency Operations Center Coordinator (Chris Tuttle)
Director of the Office of External Affairs at FEMA (Jessica Smith)
I'm writing to urge you to immediately dispatch Red Horse Station Type Alternative Housing to New York's Rockaways to help protect victims of Hurricane Sandy. As of Monday, November 12, Long Island Power Authority announced that over 29,000 customers in the Rockaways were without power.

Residents in this hard-hit area have been without power, heat, and running water for over two weeks, and with freezing nighttime temperatures hitting the city this week, the most vulnerable residents -- including children, the elderly, and the sick -- are at risk of hypothermia.

While some heating stations have been dispatched, these are not adequate to provide shelter during the night hours. Red Horse Station Type Alternative Housing would provide much-needed heat, meals, medical services, and temporary emergency shelter for people whose homes are too cold due to the lack of heat and electricity.

Thank you for your help during this crisis.
Sincerely,
[Your name]