West Virginia Flooding Update

Teams continue to work in West Virginia responding to the devastating floods that occurred in June.  In Greenbrier, Nicholas, Kanawha, and Clay counties, teams have been working with area residents and other organizations to provide disaster relief.  Through the efforts of Washington Conservation Corps, Great Appalachian Valley Conservation Corps, SBP, Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps and AmeriCorps St. Louis ERT, these teams have accomplished:

• 43 damage assessments
• 27 structures mucked and gutted
• 22 homes sanitized for mold
• 336 cubic yards of debris cleared
• 101 tons of donations sorted
• 79.5 tons of food collected/distributed
• 8 volunteer reception centers supported
• 1,497 volunteers registered
• 7,341 volunteer hours leveraged

In addition, an Atlantic Region AmeriCorps NCCC team deployed on July 17 to aid in mucking/gutting operations in Clay and Kanawha Counties in partnership with Volunteer West Virginia and NECHAMA. 

Texas Flood Update

Flood response work continues in Texas under the leadership of AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams in Brazoria County.  Currently, Texas Conservation Corps, Southwest Conservation Corps and Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps are deployed to support the disaster response.

• 40 structures mucked/gutted
• 1,425 cubic yards of debris cleared (that’s equivalent to over 287,000 gallons)

A North Central Region AmeriCorps NCCC team deployed on July 16 to assist in mucking/gutting operations in Ft. Bend, in partnership with All Hands Volunteers. 

CNCS Disaster Cadre Deployment to West Virginia

The CNCS Disaster Cadre is a key component of the CNCS Disaster Team.  The Cadre is comprised of CNCS employees, from across the agency, who provide on-the-ground coordination of A-DRTs.  Cadre work with the CNCS Disaster Services Unit and our state and federal partners to ensure that our programs can continue to provide the level of disaster response needed in communities hit hard by storms. Recently, in West Virginia, two Cadre team members deployed to assist teams on the ground.  Liz Jung, an AmeriCorps VISTA staff member and Cali Cornacchia, the current Eli Segal Fellow have been providing support to the deployed A-DRTs and FEMA. Liz Jung reflected, “Supporting the A-DRTs and building relationships in the JFO (Joint Field Office), at the Commission or in the community may sound nebulous but these efforts are critical to ensure that A-DRTs on the ground are successful.” “Working with the ADRTs to go through all aspects of the disaster and begin to create a common set of expectations, processes, and curriculum was my first project as and Eli Segal Fellow - so it is great to come full circle to be able to see how everything discussed actually happens on the ground,” said Cornacchia. The CNCS Disaster Cadre continue to be a vital resource to the National Service role in disaster response and recovery efforts.

July 25, 2016

• West Virginia Flooding Update
• Texas Flood Update
• CNCS Disaster Cadre Deployment to West Virginia
• Combating Extreme Heat
• Active Shooter Webinar
• Kids Summer Break Activity

Combating Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is continuing to be forecast around the United States.  There are steps you can take to avoid the heat:

• Postpone outdoor games and activities and limit exposure to the sun.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine; limit alcoholic beverage intake.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Spend the warmest part of the day in temperature-controlled buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, or community facilities.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

For more information, visit the National Service Tumblr.

Active Shooter Webinar

Together, Volunteer Florida and the CNCS Florida State Office are offering an important webinar for national service grantees and programs to prepare for Active Shooter scenarios. It is intended for staff, volunteers, and partners of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Volunteer Generation Fund, and Social Innovation Fund programs.  Learn about the psychology behind active shooters, the importance of training and preparation prior to Active Shooter events and the preventive measures you must take.  

Presenters include Ken Skailzky, Emergency Management Director – Volunteer Florida and Suzanne Richards, Florida State Program Director – CNCS.  Deadline to register is July 27 – email FL@cns.gov to register.

Webinar Details

               Date: July 29, 2016
               Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
                                                     Eastern

Kids Summer Break Activity

In emergencies, children and teens may be separated from their parents or guardians.  A great summer-time activity would be to prepare and ICE Card (In Case of Emergency).

5 Ways Parents and Kids Can Get Prepared Together:

1.      Break the ICE: watch the PSA and ask your child what they think the message is (see video or link directly to www.SavetheChildren.org/ICE)

2.      Talk about Why:  Talk about the top disaster risks in your area, and explain that it’s important to have a plan to reunite quickly during emergencies. Letting children know you’re planning ahead to keep them safe helps them feel safe – both before and during an emergency.

3.      Talk about Who:  Each child should have three emergency contacts that any camp counselor, teacher or caregiver can reach out to. Since local power and phone service can be disrupted during emergencies, it’s important to have one out-of-town contact as well. Practice learning these numbers with your child.

4.      Make the ICE cards together: Enter the three contacts along with your child’s medical info at www.SavetheChildren.org/ICE, upload a photo and print out your cards at home.

Keep them within arms reach: You’ll get two copies of your child’s card.  Discuss the bag, wallet or other place where you each will keep yours so it will always be nearby.