At the Department of Transitional Assistance, state and local workers have set up a command center to provide information and help.
Springfield, 6/5/11, Staff Photo by David Molnar -- From left, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and City Councilor Timothy C. Allen at an informal press conference at Roosevelt Ave. and Island Pond Rd., one of the stops on the Governor's tour of Springfield's devastation.
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno met with constituents Sunday, offering words of comfort and insight into what victims of Wednesday's tornadoes can do to recover.
At the Department of Transitional Assistance, state and local workers have set up a command center to provide information and help. Patrick said they will be there from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day "until everyone who needs assistance has been served."
The office is one of three that have been transformed into Massachusetts Storm Assistance Centers.
"We've had folks going door-to-door in the affected neighborhoods just letting people know that there are resources here for information," he said.
Small business owners can take advantage of several financial assistance programs from the state. More assistance from the federal government may be on the way, he said.
"Once we get the presidential declaration of disaster, presuming we qualify for it, there will be some federal aid that comes in as well," he said. "We'll do everything we can."
Patrick said everyone affected should check their private insurance policies before seeking government aid.
The command center at 95 Liberty St. is one of three in the region.
The other centers are at the Department of Developmental Service Central/West Regional Office, 171 State Avenue, Monson/Palmer Line, and the Department of Transitional Assistance Office, 1 North Street, Southbridge.
Sarno has asked all business owners who were affected to contact the city's Office of Planning & Economic Development to take part in the Emergency Business Assistance program. He also asked that unaffected businesses help out their peers in any way they can.
Patrick expressed gratitude to all the workers and volunteers who have "stepped up."
"We've got to be patient. We're going to get through this and we're going to get through it together," he said.
This map shows the location of the Massachusetts Storm Assistance Center in Springfield.
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