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FEMA Highlights Employees to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

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When FEMA responds to disasters, we focus on treating survivors with compassion, fairness, integrity and respect. To implement these values into the work that we do, we lean on our diverse workforce. This month, we honor our diverse employees by celebrating Native American Heritage month. The first person we are highlighting is FEMA Information Technology Specialist George Lemos.

George provides technical support to FEMA staff to ensure they can help disaster survivors and successfully carry out the agency’s mission. Some of his work includes troubleshooting technological issues, providing audio/visual assistance for virtual meetings, and working with new employees to get them the technical tools they need.

George values the importance of creating human connections. He says that he gains a sense of accomplishment by supporting FEMA through cura personalis, a Latin phrase that translates to “care for the whole person.” He understands that every situation and every person is unique and helps others through personal, individualized care.

“I do my best to tie in a learning moment into every interaction,” he said. “To me, my work within FEMA means we all have the opportunity to grow.  I want each person to understand aspects of IT, and I want to learn how IT can support everyone else in completing their tasks for the mission.”

Recently, George was deployed to South Dakota to help with the FEMA/Indian Health Service (IHS) Mobile Vaccination Unit Tour where he provided customized setups for vaccination sites at each reservation.

One moment that stands out for George happened in Wagner, South Dakota on the Yankton Sioux reservation. As the team worked to put the mobile vaccination site together, a parade of cars came through the parking lot, with passengers shouting and honking their horns. They came to show their support and thank FEMA and IHS for helping vaccinate the reservation and surrounding communities.

 “FEMA came in to support the Tribe and IHS in their vaccination efforts, and we were met with excitement,” George said. “This is a great example of breaking down walls and barriers and bringing people together to meet one common goal.”

To read more profiles throughout Native American Heritage month, follow FEMA on social media at: @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on Twitter, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel.

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