 Alaska Flooding
National Service Response
- CNCS is working in partnership with FEMA, the State of Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Alaska State Service Commission, Serve Alaska, to assist communities affected by recent flooding.
- 14 AmeriCorps Washington Conservation Corps members and crew leaders and 9 AmeriCorps members from the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (deployed by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service) are on the ground in Galena, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, AK. Teams have established a Volunteer Reception Center and are working with the local community to identify needs and manage volunteers. Teams are gutting and mucking flood-damaged homes so they can be repaired and available for residents to move in before winter. Teams are also supporting the donations and warehouse management system. Teams on the ground have a Facebook page where they are posting updates and photos.
- 2 CNCS cadre members have deployed to Anchorage, AK to supply technical support and assistance to FEMA and the State at the JFO as well as support the work of the AmeriCorps teams on the ground.
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Watch a recent news story about the AmeriCorps response in Galena that aired on local CBS affiliate KTVA:
Help arrives in Galena to rebuild after recent flooding
"It's been almost two months since the Yukon River rose over its bank and into the community of Galena, forcing an evacuation of all 480 residents. Today, nearly half of them are still waiting to come home. Helping to speed things up are nearly a dozen members of AmeriCorps."
 Mississippi
CNCS State Program Director Abdul-Azeez joined the complement of Volunteer Mississippi Board members and Executive Director David Mallery at MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) headquarters to participate in a presentation and discussion on Mississippi's readiness for the 2013 hurricane season. MEMA Director Robert Latham spoke eloquently on the vital role national service members and programs play in responding to disasters, and how AmeriCorps members really distinguished themselves during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Among others in attendance was Hunter Lipscomb, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Steven M. Palazzo (Mississippi).
Wildfires in the Northwestern Pacific Region
July 26th Webinar
Please join the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) for a webinar on Wildfires in the Northwestern Pacific Region. While the presenters will focus on northwestern United States wildfires, all members and partners in all states and territories are invited to join.
This webinar is part of an on-going partnership of the two organizations to help address drought and wildfire issues. For more information, visit National VOAD and EDEN.
Webinar details:
What: Wildfires in the Northwestern Pacific Region
When: Friday, July 26th at 1 pm ET
Speakers and their topics:
Jim Kehoe, President of Washington VOAD and Director of the Seattle Office/St. Vincent de Paul -- Recent Experience with Wildfires in Washington State
Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt, Technology Consultant with VOST and Oregon VOAD -- Social Media's Use during Wildfires in Oregon
Kevin Oliver, Director of Animal Care and Safety Noah's Wish/El Dorado County, California --Large Animal Evacuation and After-Care During Wildfires
For questions about the webinar content contact: Tom Conrad, tgconradwc@gmail.com
For questions about access to the webinar contact: Abby Hostetler, alillpop@purdue.edu
Emergency Management Institute
Donations and Volunteer Management Partnership Convening
- CNCS DSU Staff attended a convening of State, nonprofit and federal partners at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD to discuss Donations and Volunteer Management operations and partnership development.
Hurricane Sandy
- The Disaster Services Unit continues to represent CNCS and national service on the President's Hurricane Sandy Task Force. The Task Force expects to submit a report to POTUS in early August outlining long term recovery commitments to Sandy impacted areas.
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CNCS is implementing a long-term recovery strategy and has placed over 50 AmeriCorps VISTA members for one-year deployments throughout New York and New Jersey to build the capacity of local non-profits in the affected region. The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) will continue to deploy up to 20 AmeriCorps members every six weeks through November to both New York and New Jersey to continue to assist impacted communities in rebuilding and recovery.
RESOURCES
New
Disaster Events
For
information on new disaster events, please visit FEMA’s daily situation report.
CNCS
Disaster Services Knowledge Network
This online network provides a place to share what
works at the intersection of disaster services and national service.
Disaster
Preparedness
If you
would like to learn more about how to prepare your family and/or community
please visit www.ready.gov.
Disaster
Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
The
Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and
support. The Helpline is staffed by trained counselors from a network of
crisis call centers located across the United States, all of whom provide:
- Crisis
counseling for those who are in emotional distress related to any natural
or human-caused disaster
- Information
on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals and families
- Tips
for healthy coping
- Disaster-specific
resources and referral information.
The
Disaster Services Unit (DSU) of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has agency-wide responsibility for coordination
of CNCS disaster services activities. The DSU provides expertise, ongoing
support, and access to a network of dedicated volunteers. CNCS subscribes
to the belief that all disasters are local. Our focus is on enhancing and
adding value to what already exists in communities and infrastructure --
working in partnership with State Service Commissions, local government,
nonprofits, and faith-based organizations.
The
Disaster Services Unit can be reached at DSU@cns.gov and is staffed by:
Kelly DeGraff, Senior Advisor, Disaster Services
Katrina French, Program Officer, Disaster Services
Jen Murphy, Program Officer, Disaster Services
Jason Scott, Program Officer, Disaster Services
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