How to help and who to call about attacks
Information for Federal HR Directors
Post-Disaster Guidance and Other Information for Human Resource Professionals
Federal employees in New York
The Office of Personnel Management is urging federal employees in the New York area to direct questions about building openings to the New York Federal Executive Board. The Board's Web site has information online at:
www.newyorkcity.feb.gov
Pentagon Personnel
The Pentagon has set up the Pentagon Family Assistance Center at the Sheraton Crystal City: 1-800-769-3988. 1800 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Arlington, VA 22202.
Pentagon officials are asking families to go there, and not to the Pentagon, for information.
Pentagon personnel should report in at the following numbers:
Army: 1-800-984-8523
or: 703-428-0002
Navy/Marines: 1-877-663-6772
Air Force: 1-800-253-9276
For updates on transportation, parking and building access at the Pentagon go to http://www.dtic.mil/ref/crises-info.html
Benefits for federal employees and their families
Click here for information on special benefits procedures for terrorist victims and their families.
The IRS has established a special toll-free telephone number, 1-866-562-5227, set up for taxpayers whose ability to meet their federal tax obligations has been affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and at the Pentagon. The phone line is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in English and 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Spanish, Eastern time. Those affected by the attacks who may be eligible for Social Security benefits. Call the Social Security Administration's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, or check its Web site, www.ssa.gov for more information. Federal employees are encouraged to call 1-866-999-FECA for assistance on workers compensation claims under the Federal Employees Compensation Act.
Family members of public safety officers and law enforcement officials killed during the terrorist attacks can call the Justice Department toll-free at 1-888-744-6513 for more information on how to file for benefits under the 1976 Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act.
Families of New York firefighters can call 718-999-2541 to inquire about financial and emotional assistance. Families of New York police officers can call 212-741-4626.
Victims' Assistance Under the Victims of Crime Act, victims can be compensated for medical bills, counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages.
World Trade Center victims: call 1-800-247-8035 or go to www.cvb.state.ny.us
Pentagon victims: call 1-877-372-0127 or 1-800-552-4007
Pennslyvania crash victims: call 1-800-692-7292 or 717-783-5135 or go to www.pccd.state.pa.us.
Victims can also call the Justice Department's Office of Victims of Crime at 1-800-331-0075 or go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/terrorismvictimassistance.
Former federal employees
OPM has set up an e-mail address for federal retirees who are interested in returning to government service. Interested retirees can e-mail OPM at patriot@opm.gov. Retirees and former federal employees with at least three years of service can also call a toll-free hotline at 1-888-353-9447 to apply for reinstatement.
Volunteers
Organizations assisting in disaster relief efforts
Pentagon Volunteers
Call 1-800-833-6622 for volunteer information.
Local Volunteers
In the Washington area, call 703-696-8467 for volunteer information.
Medical personnel who want to donate their services should contact their local American Red Cross office.
Donations
Organizations assisting in disaster relief efforts
World Trade Center/Pentagon Fund
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) announced the formation of a fund to assist federal families affected by terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Tuesday. Through the fund, families can get immediate assistance for such things as medical costs and funeral expenses, including travel. In the days immediately after the Oklahoma City bombing, for instance, FEEA provided nearly $100,000 in assistance to families of federal employees. For Tuesday's terrorist attacks, FEEA has money readily available thanks to donations federal employees made during the combined federal campaign.
Donations to the World Trade Center/Pentagon Fund can be made via credit card by calling FEEA at 303-933-7580 or by sending a check to:
FEEA World Trade Center/Pentagon Fund
8441 W. Bowles Ave.
Suite 200
Littleton, Colo. 80123-9501
Federal families affected by Tuesday's tragedies may contact FEEA at 1-800-323-4140 or 303-933-7580.
New York Donations
The United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust have established a fund to help the victims of the attacks and their families. The September Eleventh Fund will provide immediate support to established emergency assistance agencies. Anyone wishing to contribute may send their donations in care of United Way, 2 Park Ave, New York, New York, 10016, or call: (212) 251-4035.
Donations are also being accepted on United Way of New York City's Web site: http://www.uwnyc.org.
American Liberty Project
Amazon.com, AOL Time Warner and other companies have created an Internet site that allows people to make donations online to rescue organizations hit hard by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Donations are made on a secure server and may be made anonymously. Go to www.libertyunites.org for more information.
Local Hospitals
Washington Hospital Center: (202) 784-2264
Virginia Hospital Center: (703) 558-6763
Housing and loss of property
Residents of New York who need temporary housing due to the terrorist attacks or who have suffered personal property losses can call FEMA at 1-800-462-9029. Disaster unemployement and legal services information is also available through this munber.
Businesses
Businesses needing assistance can contact the Small Business Administration at 1-800-659-2955.
Help from Federal Agencies
The National Transportation Safety Board is assisting other agencies with Tuesday's events. NTSB's Web site has information on federal family assistance for aviation disasters. The FBI is the lead investigative agency; the Department of Justice's Office of Victims of Crimes is coordinating assistance for family members. To find out about relatives who may have been injured in the attacks, call the Justice Department's Hotline for Victims of Crimes at 1-800-331-0075.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration is urging those interested in helping the victims to make blood or cash donations. FEMA does not accept donations, but urges people to contact the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. To donate money to the Salvation Army call 1-800-SAL ARMY.
Blood Donations
The American Red Cross has not issued a call for emergency blood donations, according to spokeswoman Shannon McElligott. The Red Cross feels it has the inventory available to care for patients in New York and D.C., McElligott said.
However, the Red Cross is encouraging people to keep any appointments to give blood. Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800-Give Blood to make an appointment. To donate money call Red Cross cash donations: 1-800-HELP NOW. Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
In the D.C. area, Washington Hospital Center and the Inova Health System have issued urgent appeals for blood. To donate blood at Washington Hospital Center, call 202-877-5250. To donate blood at Inova, call 703-698-3885.
The Red Cross will be take walk-in blood donations throughout the week. Lines may be long, so officials are urging you to remain patient. http://www.redcrossdc.org
Donor centers with expanded hours include:
- E Street Donor Center, 1730 E Street: (202) 639-3144
- The Rockville Donor Center in the Saratoga Building on Parklawn Drive: (301) 468-3021
- Fairfax Donor Center on Old Lee Highway: (703) 698-7030
- The Red Cross Center on Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia: (410) 997-1288
- The Red Cross Center on York Road in Towson: (410) 583-9756
- The Red Cross Center on Honeygo Blvd. in White Marsh: (410) 931-6977
- The National Institutes of Health is taking donations in Building 10- A from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (301) 496-1048.
Airlines
Families of passengers on United Airlines and American Airlines flights may call the airlines for information at the numbers below:
- American Airlines: 1-800-245-0999
- United Airlines: 1-800-932-8555
Transit
DC Metro: (202) 637-1328
Virginia Railway Express (VRE): (800) 743-3873 (RIDE VRE)
Amtrak: (800) 872-7245 (USA-RAIL)
Maryland Rail Commuter service (MARC): (800) 325-7245 (325-RAIL)