FEMA deploys e-signature solution for disaster victims
- By Alice Lipowicz
- Oct 09, 2008
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing 6,000 of its field agents with a computer application enabling them to collect signatures electronically from disaster victims in the field.
The goal is to help speed the processing of release forms for disaster relief funding, low-interest loans and other support.
FEMA is distributing Silanis Technology Inc.’s secure desktop e-signature solution to its field agents, Silanis announced in a news release. Applicants for disaster aid will sign the release forms on a personal computer tablet. The forms will be electronically transmitted to FEMA headquarters for processing and storage.
“Electronic signatures are proven to accelerate [the] process, and in a disaster, time to respond is of the essence," Silanis President Tommy Petrogiannis said in a news release. "We have a tremendous opportunity to support FEMA and the DHS in speeding response to victims, allowing them greater opportunity to rebuild their homes and their lives in a time of great need."
Silanis is based in Saint Laurent, Quebec.
About the Author
Alice Lipowicz is a staff writer covering government 2.0, homeland security and other IT policies for Federal Computer Week.