AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member and I will get things done.

AmeriCorps Mission Statement

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps will strengthen communities and develop leaders through team-based national and community service.

FEMA Mission Statement

FEMAs mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

McClellan Air Force Base AmeriCorps NCCC 3427 Laurel Street McClellan, CA 95652

Table of Contents
History of the Organization4 Executive Summary5 Biographies Ebony McElroy.6 Eloy Arguello8 Taylor Bach...10 Nicole Callaway12 Rachel Conger..14 Chris Couch..16 Lorna Parish..18 Laura Rodriguez...20 Allison Woodworth..22 Work Away from Work..24 Specific Team Positions..28 Independent Service Projects.35 Bladium Fitness......40 Alameda Extended Stay..41 Community Mapping......42 AmeriCorps Poem.......45 Backseat Bubble Advertisement.....46 Media Postings....47 Next One Poem....51

History
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, implemented by two Executive Orders on April 1, 1979. The agency's primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. The governor of the state in which the disaster occurs must declare a state of emergency and formally request from the president that FEMA and the federal government respond to the disaster. FEMA also provides these services for territories of the United States, such as Puerto Rico. While on-the-ground support of disaster recovery efforts is a major part of FEMA's charter, the agency provides state and local governments with experts in specialized fields and funding for rebuilding efforts and relief funds for infrastructure by directing individuals to access low interest loans, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration. In addition to this, FEMA provides funds for training of response personnel throughout the United States and its territories as part of the agency's preparedness effort. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Joe M. Allbaugh as the director of FEMA. Within months, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th focused the agency on issues of national preparedness and homeland security, and tested the agency in unprecedented ways. The agency coordinated its activities with the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, and FEMA's Office of National Preparedness was given responsibility for helping to ensure that the nation's first responders were trained and equipped to deal with weapons of mass destruction. Billions of dollars of new funding were directed to FEMA to help communities face the threat of terrorism. Just a few years past its 20th anniversary, FEMA was actively directing its "all-hazards" approach to disasters toward homeland security issues. In March 2003, FEMA joined 22 other federal agencies, programs and 4

Federal Emergency Management Agency

offices in becoming the Department of Homeland Security. The new department, headed by Secretary Tom Ridge, brought a coordinated approach to national security from emergencies and disasters - both natural and man-made. On October 4, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act. The act significantly reorganized FEMA, providing substantial new authority to remedy gaps that became apparent in the response to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, and included a more robust preparedness mission for FEMA. FEMA Region IX, headquartered in Oakland, California, is one of ten Regional Offices. The people of FEMA serve the United States by providing help to people impacted by disasters, working with state, local, and tribal governments. Region IX's area of responsibility includes: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated State of Micronesia and more than 150 sovereign tribal entities. FEMA Region IX supports the development of a regional, all-hazards, risk-based emergency management system of preparedness, prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation through close working relationships that draw on the talents and assets of federal agencies, state, tribal nations, localities, business and industry, and state and local volunteer organizations and faith-based groups. Region IX faces several unique challenges when identifying priorities, objectives and activities. The Region spans 8 time zones, contains over 150 federally-recognized sovereign Native American entities, and contains the worlds eighth largest economy, the state of California.

Executive Summary
FEMA Blue 1 deployed to the FEMA Region IX Headquarters in Oakland, CA to support the staff in response to DR - 4104 - Navajo Nation. The team was divvied up into six different divisions: Response, External Affairs, Recovery, National Preparedness, Employee Services, and Mission Support. Blue 1s presence at Region IX was a mutually beneficial relationship. We were more than just a helping hand. We brought light and enthusiasm into the work place with our eagerness to learn and desire to be beneficial to the staff. As the days went on you could see the staffs excitement to have us in the office, sharing their cubicles and getting robbed by the 11th floor break room vending machine. We weren't just FEMA Corps anymore, we became part of the FEMA family. Eloy Arguello worked in Mission Support and Planning. Taylor Bach and Nikki Callaway worked in National Preparedness. Lorna Parish worked in Mission Support and National Preparedness. Laura Rodriguez worked in Planning. Rachel Conger worked in Employee Services. Christian Couch worked in External Affairs. Allison Woodworth worked in Recovery. Ebony worked on coordination and logistics of all team activities internal and external.

MEET

E B O N Y

M C E L R O Y

NICKNAMES: MOM, COACH, EBONES, EB, EBBIE, & BON -BON

HI!! I AM THE FEARLESS LEADER OF THE BEST TEAM EVER! I AM 21 YEARS OLD (IN MY DREAMS) FROM SAN DIEGO, CA. I JOINED FEMA CORPS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WHAT I HAVE GAINED HAS BEEN SO MUCH GREATER!! I HAVE LEARNED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LEADER.THIS JOB REQUIRES 100% EVERY DAY, BUT AT THE END IT GIVES BACK MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.

THERES NO WAY YOU WORKED AT FEMA REGION IX.

My time at Region IX was a mix of emails and meetings. (lots of meetings!) As we were the first FEMA Corps team to be placed at the region it was important for the team to lay a foundation for a positive relationship moving forward. The team accomplished this through the work they did everyday in the different divisions, their attitudes and willingness to be of service to whomever needed an extra hand. I helped in our purpose by making connections with people that did not have direct contact with a FEMA Corps member, talking about our program and how it is a benefit to FEMA and the many things my team was capable of doing. I played mainly a supporting role. I was always available to help out on different projects weather that be inventory, helping people with computer software questions, or simply interpreting FEMA speak from project supervisors. I did get to get a few chances to get my hands dirty (as dirty as one can get an office setting). I completed an IT inventory project for the Administrative Services Branch Chief, Michael Lull and I participate in Golden Guardian exercise as the assistant to the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), Mike Karl.

MEET

E L O Y

A R G U E L L O

I I I

NICKNAMES: ELI & ELROY

What was your assignment at FEMA Region IX?

I AM FROM DENVER, COLORADO. MY EXPERIENCE WITH FEMA CORPS HAS BEEN AMAZING. I AM ABLE TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH INTELLIGENT INDIVIDUAL EVERYDAY. I AM BLESSED WITH AN OUTSTANDING TEAM LEADER AS WELL. MY FUTURE PLANS ARE TO PURSE ADEGREE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OR ENLIST IN THE CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

While I was assisting Region IX Headquarters, I supported Mission Support and the Planning Section. My tasks were to enhance mission support workforce capability, agility, and engagement; to provide outstanding customer service in partnership with customers and stakeholders; and to foster an inclusive work environment that drives excellence. My mission support supervisor was Raymond Velarde. I reviewed and edited the Health and Safety program manual. I completed the task of editing the program and returned it to my supervisor for review. The coolest thing I did was have the opportunity to oversee the safety of all personnel of FEMA Region IX. My supervisor gave me many tasks. I spent my time maintaining situational awareness, developing a common operating picture, tracking resources assigned to an incident, and developing plans for current and future use of the resources. I also managed incident documentation including

MEET

T A Y L O R

B A C H

NICKNAME: CHEWBACHA, BACHNESS, OR BACHY, & TAY

WHAT DID YOU DO AT FEMA REGION IX?

I AM FROM SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA. FEMA CORPS HAS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE. EVERYTHING CAN TURN INTO NOTHING ON A DIME AND YOU NEED TO LEARN TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES. AFTER THIS TERM I INTEND TO SIGN UP FOR ANOTHER TERM WITH TRADITIONAL AMERICORPS NCCC. WHEREVER LIFE TAKES ME I WILL FOREVER BE FEMA FLEXIBLE. The first lesson I learned from FEMA Corps is to expect the unexpected and to be ready to respond quickly. During Round 1 at FEMA Region IX Headquarters I was assigned with my fellow teammate, Nicole Callaway, to assist FEMAs National Preparedness (NP) Division in any way possible. My outstanding supervisors in the NP Division were Randy Brawley and Jim Macaulay. Thankfully, Jim is a well-organized man and provided me with a checklist of tasks to complete from the get-go. First, I became familiar with FEMA Region IXs Operations of Continuity Plan, otherwise known as COOP, and updated the plan with my teammate, Lorna Parish. My next endeavor was to Fun Fact: There are 28 set up the emergency notification system for FEBs located in major the San Francisco Bay Area Federal Executive cities throughout the USA to assist 85% of all Board (SFBA FEB). My blood pressure went Federal employees who through the roof just trying to pronounce the do not work in Washingagency. The SFBA FEB facilitates communicaton D.C. tion between the 70,000 Federal employees working within the Bay Area. I set up their emergency notification system, making sure, the agency would be able to communicate with their employees in the event of a disaster in the area. Not only did I have to learn the system myself, but I was expected to teach my Point of Contact, Francine Roby how to use it as well. After successfully exercising a nationwide test scenario for the emergency notification system, which included all FEB members, I was requested to assist the Los An-

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MEET

N I C O L E

C A L L A W A Y

NICKNAME: PRINCESS NIKKI

LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR WORK AT REGION IX

I was assigned to the National Preparedness (NP) Division at the Region IX Headquarters for my Round 1 assignment. The NP Division consists of quite a few elements, but the ones I personally worked on were Tribal, Threat Hazards Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA), and Individual and Community Preparedness (ICP). The Tribal program plays a very important part of preparedness because Region IX has about 154 tribes under its responsibility. As one can imagine, this is an overwhelming number, and the tribes often change names and government officials. One of the tribal liaisons, Heather Duschell, worked with me and gave me various tasks regarding tribal work. For the most part, my main goal was to complete input on the tribal database with the most accurate information I could find. The information is used to identify what preparedness tools the tribes needed and whether they were following federal protocol. THIRA was a shorter project that I worked on with Joel Palmer that basically consisted of reviewing and analyzing all reports sent in from the states. These reports were written by each state, a few choice jurisdictions, the territories, and some tribes. They identified the most prominent threats to their areas, assessed their resources and capabilities available for dealing with those hazards, intricately explained

IM 23 YEARS OLD, AND FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.MY EXPERIENCE IN FEMA CORPS HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING. SO FAR, I HAVE TRAVELED THE US AND MET THE NICEST PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER. AFTER THIS, I MAY DO ANOTHER TERM IN AMERICORPS.

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MEET

R A C H E L

C O N G E R

NICKNAMES: RAE

WHAT DID YOU WORK ON WHILE YOU WERE IN REGION IX?

I AM FROM A CENTERVILLE, IOWA I AM 22 YEARS OLD. I HAVE ENJOYED LEARING ABOUT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE. AFTER FEMA CORPS I WANT TO TEACH ENGLISH. ONE DAY I HOPE TO BE IN THE GOVERNMENT CHANGING AMERICAS SCHOOL SYSTEMS. At Region IX in Oakland California, I worked with Stephani Fulsom in the Employee Services Branch. The Employee Services Branch provides employees with information and makes sure they have everything they need. This includes things like payroll, learning materials, and employees paperwork. Throughout my service at Region IX, Stephani did a fantastic job at incorporating me in the branch by assigning me tasks and providing learning opportunities for me. I made an excel spreadsheet of all the hostels in San Francisco, Pasadena, Honolulu, Oakland, and Sacramento. This list provided information for cheap lodging that future FEMA Corps might use if they are deployed in those areas. Also, I used my power point expertise to update some of the power points in Share Point. Share Point is an online drive that provides employees with information about all areas of emergency management. I also learned about the Automated Deployment Database. This program is how FEMA Employees are deployed. I was even shown how FEMA Corps are deployed. I worked with Randy Greer on employees' leave audits. I got to participate in an exercise called Golden Guardian. This

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MEET

C H R I S

C O U C H

NICKNAMES: CRICKETY CHRIS & PROFESSOR COUCH

HI, IM CHRIS. MOST OF MY LIFE I HAVE FELT LIKE SOMETHING OF AN OUTSIDER, MOVING FROM GROUP TO GROUP WITHOUT STRONG SOCIAL BONDS. THOUGH IT HAS BEEN QUITE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, I AM EXCITED TO FINALLY BE A PART OF A TEAM WHERE I FEEL LIKE I FIT IN. I HAVE A VERY ANALYTIC MIND THAT GETS ME OUT OF CONTROL AND OVER THINKINKIG A LOT OF THINGS ALSO, I ENJOY STUDING PSYCHOLOGY.

HOW ABOUT YOU, WHAT DID YOU WORK ON?

During Round 1 I supported staff from several divisions within the FEMA Region IX Office of External Affairs. The Office of External Affairs handles the agencys communications with external partners and stakeholders. For example, the Private Sector division ensures that FEMA maintains working relationships with the regions commercial industries so that they may act as partners in mitigating, responding to, and recovering from disasters in the region. My immediate supervisor, Mary, had a lot of work for me: I helped her with several projects from drafting preparedness tweets to completely revamping the Region IX website. My most significant contribution was to the Region IX website: I helped format and improve many web pages by seeking out relevant and exciting photos for the pages, updating and correcting web links, formatting text, and giving feedback on the overall layout of the website. I also helped Casey from the Intergovernmental Affairs division draft a response to a congressional inquiry and a fact sheet about some upcoming reforms to the National Flood Insurance Plan. I also helped Kelly inventory national preparedness supplies for Speakers Bureau events in return for her help improving the design of my teams CAP flier. At the beginning of the project my supervisor, Mary, explained

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MEET

L O R N A

P A R I S H

NICKNAMES: THE HEART OF THE TEAM & LORNADUNE

WHAT DID YOU DO AT FEMA REGION IX?

I AM 24 YEARS OLD FROM FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA. MY EXPERIENCE IN FEMA CORPS HAS BEEN AMAZING. MY KNOWLEDGE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS GROWN SO MUCH. I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, BUT MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL BE RESCUING ANIMALS WHEN A DISASTER STRIKES. I worked in the Acquisitions Division. Acquisitions prioritized using local business services during a disaster. Branches underneath this division included Mission Support and Inventory. The Mission Support Branch for FEMA is procurement, the act of obtaining materials, and with that I had the opportunity to work with Gerard Herrera and Charles Lingafelt in order to find contracts and develop a spreadsheet for them. The procurement department worked on finding contracts or contractors that FEMA could use during disasters. The purpose of this task was that if a disaster, such as a huge earthquake hits the Bay Area, FEMA is prepared and have contracts ready. I developed a spreadsheet so that the mission support division will not have to search through General Services Administration during a disaster to find contracts. This will make the process smoother and faster. I worked with Virgel Argel while conducting Inventory for Technical Support, Mission Support, External Affairs, and ORA Divisions. During this project Virgel and I documented every item that each staff member had in their office or cubicle. I recorded this information and verified that each staff member was accountable for

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MEET

L A U R A

R O D R I G U E Z

NICKNAME: GEORGIA PEACH

I AM FROM COVINGTON, GEORGIA. MY EXPERIENCEIN FEMA CORPS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. I HAVE GAINED AN ABUNDANCE OF KNOWLEDGE ALREADY. I HAVE TRAVELED TO PLACES I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE AND HAVE MET PEOPLE I WOULD NEVER HAVE MET. MY TEAM AND I HAVE A WONDERFUL CONNECTION. I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER OPPORTUNITY.

What was your endeavor at FEMA REGION IX?

I worked under Ian Dixon in the Planning Section of Response. Planning is the heart of FEMA. They gather all the information and develop a plan to cover all the essentials in a disaster. From the beginning, my supervisor and I agreed to try and make sure both that I understood the significance behind each project and that my experience in Planning was valuable. I worked on a lot of projects in planning from filing old disaster plans, creating disaster injects and working as a planning specialist for the 2013 Golden Guardian exercise. I also prepared rooms and supplies for Golden Guardian, organized spreadsheets to create a pamphlet for the upcoming IMAT teams, redacted plans into public versions, and created a PowerPoint about our experience at Camp Roberts. Golden Guardian is Californias Annual Statewide Exercise Series that involves participation from tribes, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector partners. The 2013 exercises simulated a 7.9 earthquake in the Bay Area. FEMA Region IX headquarters and the State Operations Center and simulated the response and recovery procedures to a massive earth-

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MEET

A L L I S O N

W O O D W O R T H

NICKNAMES: ALI, ALLIE, ALY, ALLEY, AL, KLEPTO, & NERD

WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE AT REGION IX?

I worked in FEMA Region IX's recovery division under David Clayton's supervision during Round 1. Mr. Clayton stressed early on that he wanted this I AM 24 FROM experience to be educational and flexible to my interests. I learned from him SAN DIEGO, CALI- to seek the value in each project and relate FORNIA. FEMA even a simple archiving task back to its signifCORPS HAS CHAL- icance in the recovery process.

LENGED ME AND EXPANDED MY KNOWLEDGE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. AFTER THIS PROGRAM I AM LOOKING INTO RETURNING TO COLLEGE OR POSSIBLY SERVING A THIRD YEAR WITH AMERICORPS. I WOULD LIKE TO COMBINE MY INTEREST IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, CREATIVE WRITING, AND NONPROFITS INTO A CAREER ONE DAY.

As my first project, I set everyone in the recovery division up with Microsoft Office Communicator, an instant messaging program that facilitates communication between their large teleworking and oft-deployed workforce. This project allowed me to introduce myself to the recovery staff early on and become comfortable with everyone. With teammates in two buildings and four different floors, I also made sure that my team set up their OC so that we could easily communicate during the day (you can only BBM so often before it buzzes your hip clean off!).

I collaborated with Charles Craig, the Region IX Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL), on a project to collect information for all the National Voluntary Organizations Active in a Disaster (NVOADs) and Region IX VOADS. This data will eventually be amassed in a database to increase the accessibility and functionality of the information in the chaotic disaster response and recovery environment. I learned a lot about a VAL's responsibilities when there is no active disaster in the region (this is called "steady state"). I look forward to seeing Mr. Craig in the field and perhaps working closely with a VAL on my next disaster deployment. When I needed a break from VOAD data collection I turned to the Public Assistance department. There, I waded my way through a chaotic filing sys-

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National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF)

BROWN BAGS
Region IX Headquarters
Throughout our deployment to the Region IX Headquarters, Blue 1 had the opportunity to learn about various FEMA projects, trainings, and divisions through "brown bag" lunches. Brown Bags expanded and diversified the team's knowledge of FEMA from the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) to the responsibilities of the External Affairs division.

Community Relations (CR) in Sandy

PeaceCorps

Disaster Acquisitions Response Team (DART)

Blue 1s Favorite Brown Bags:

ENVIRONMENTAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION (EHP)
EHP ensures FEMA's actions and policies are in accordance with federal environmental and historic preservation laws. It balances FEMA's responsibility to disaster response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness with its responsibility to protect the environment and natural resources.

All Hazards Plan

Planning P

Surge Capacity Force

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PLAN (NFIP)

In this brown bag Blue 1 learned how the program enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection from the government against losses from flooding. We also learned about grants FEMA provides for various mitigation projects such as a grant to help someone raise their house or even just their boiler.

Incident Management Handbook

Telecommunications/APO/ Facilities

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)

During this particular brown bag the team took a crash course on how FEMA uses ICS to manage the resources. Not only is ICS used in FEMA, but also in many other businesses and companies. We found this brown bag extremely knowledgeable and helpful for us to use in the future.

External Affairs

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T EA M

S P EC IFI C

PO S IT I O N S

Each Corps Member is responsible for specific team position duties in addition to the regularly scheduled workweek. These team positions are: Vehicle Safety Tool officer (VST), Media Representative, Corps Ambassador Program (CAPper), Service Learning Initiator (SLI), Public Outreach Liaison (POL), Physical Training (PT) coordinator, Life After AmeriCorps (LAA) mentors, Peer Helper, and Environmental Liaison (EL).

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INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROJECTS

What are Independent Service Projects?

National Civilian Community Corps teams are required to complete 80 hours of independent service project (ISP) hours outside of their normal work week. Due to the unpredictability of working in a disaster zone, FEMA Corps teams are only required to complete a minimum of ten disaster ISP hours. FEMA Blue One is determined to reach 100 ISP hours over our ten months of service, enough to get the Presidential Service Award bronze level recognition. ISPs are a great way to diversify our service, team build, and try new things. Throughout Round One, FEMA Blue One completed over an outstanding 450 hours combined!

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800 AVENUE F ALAMEDA, CA 94501 (510) 814-4999

Bladium fitness

Bring my fellas up here! Nicole, the Zumba instructor hollers. Chris and Eloy, the only two men in the room, obligingly climb onto the stage. By now, the know the routine, swaying their hips good naturedly to the beats as the class follows. Lorna, Nikki, Rae, and Allison struggle to follow Nicoles instructions and end up flinging limbs this way and that. Ebony and Taylor twirl and toe tap confidently in the front row and often become the defacto instructor when Nicole is obstructed from view. It is Zumba Thursday, one physical training that FEMA Blue 1 hates to miss. The team has the privilege of frequenting Bladium Gym on donated guest passes for its entire first round. When Laura, one of Blue Ones Physical Trainer Coordinators, contacted Bladium about reduced prices for nine people she did not expect the manager to respond by waiving all fees for the entire team. It seemed surreal as the manager, Tee, signed everyone up and offered a guided tour. The massive gym, converted from an old airplane hangar, boasts a rock climbing wall, basketball courts, and soccer fields. However, Blue One quickly fell in love with the free classes. Aside from Zumba, they enjoy Body Combat: a fierce convalescence of karate, Mauy Tai, and boxing. The instructor, Amelia, who seems to teach non-stop back-to-back classes every night, is a beast. The team invariably leaves class every Monday to drench their van in sweat on the ride home. Though smelly and exhausted, the team always leaves Bladium in a good mood. Bladium offered a great place for the team to de-stress after a few days in the office. There is something about watching each other do Zumba that naturally brings a smile to ones face. The teams sixe alone bring a new energy to each class. Nicole exclaimed, So thats why this class suddenly filled up! after Blue One introduced themselves to their favorite Zumba instructor. 40

Alameda haven
1260 SOUTH LOOP ROAD ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA 94502

The Extended Stay staff are a big part of Blue 1 spent Round One at the Extended why our housing was so comfortable. Koi, Stephanie, Moses, and the maintenance guy Stay of America in Alameda, CA. One of the were always there to greet us when we trudged biggest challenges to our housing came early on Day One as we dragged our red bags and all to the front desk asking for them to reprogram of our worldly possessions up to the third floor our cards for the eighth time that week. The staff were always prompt and - with the excepand were instantly assaulted by lung cancer. The third floor is the smoking floor. Two of the tion of that one time Moses called our room at three rooms were later moved to the second some god awful hour like 0700 - super nice. floor, which was sad for the third floor people We did not live in tents. We did not live because majority rules where all the food is stored. You would be surprised how much of a in yurts. We did not bathe in streams. We did not have to catch our own food or cook over deterrent stairs are to eating. fire pits. We did not camp in any way shape or The Extended Stay's breakfast room was form. Life was wonderful. We had it made. stocked from 0630 to 0930 every morning with

We did not live in tents. We did not live in yurts. We did not bathe in streams. We did not have to catch our own food or cook over fire pits. We did not camp in any way shape or form. Life was wonderful. With the exception of living in the middle of no man's land on an island - we had it made.

coffee, hot chocolate, fruit, granola bars, and FEMA Blue 1 corps members. By 1900 hours Blue 1 would straggle home, usually sweaty from PT, and muster back in the breakfast room for any myriad of SLI, POL, Peer Helper, or just plain old team meetings.

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COMMUNITY MAPPING
Wait, Blue One had free time?
Not much, but in between work and our independent service projects, Blue One found time to explore the Bay Area. We found some cheap - always important on an AmeriBudget - and fun entertainment to keep our stress levels to a minimum.

The Oakland Public Library

Allison forced most of the team to get library cards. As much as they complained about the long walk and asked what one really needs a library card for everyone walked out of the library with a least one book. From guides to American Sign Language and cookbooks to movies and poetry, the library kept Blue One occupied on those lonely weekends on Alameda island.

The OPL is free. It is located at 125 14th Street, Oakland, CA and (bonus!) I is open on weekends.

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AmeriCorps
Have you ever had a feeling so inspirational Something so unbelievable A chance to grab onto life And not let the moment just pass by To lend a helping hand To help people mend To work as a team To have something to believe This is your life got to make it And not let anyone else create it AmeriCorps is the place to be Now lets make a reality out of your dreams

By Laura Rodriguez

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Media postings
Conger answers call to service in FEMA Corps
The Daily Iowegian ---- SACRAMENTO, Calif. Rachel Conger, of Centerville, is one of 154 Sacramento-based young people serving in the nations first class of FEMA Corps, a new unit of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps solely devoted to disaster preparedness and response. Prior to joining FEMA Corps, Conger graduated from Centerville High School in 2009 and studied at Indian Hills Community College. Conger said, I decided to do a second year of [national] service because my passion in life is to make a difference. I hope to learn many things from this experience that I can carry with me through out my life. Rachel is the daughter of Patricia Conger. from March 24 to June 10, during which she traveled to Oakland, Calif. to assist with ongoing media calls, inquiries from local officials, During her 10-month term of seroutreach efforts, and other required vice, Conger, 22, is providing important support to disaster survivors External Affairs duties before being and gaining significant training and deployed to Oklahoma for immediprofessional experience in emergen- ate disaster response. Conger will serve on several more projects becy management. Serving on teams fore graduating from FEMA Corps of 10 to 12 people, FEMA Corps members both travel to disasteron Nov. 19. affected communities and support longer-term recovery operations FEMA Corps, a new unit within across the country. Projects range AmeriCorps NCCC that launched in from working directly with disaster Fall 2012, is an innovative partnersurvivors to administrative disaster ship between the Federal Emergency management tasks to sharing disas- Management Agency and the Corter preparedness and mitigation in- poration for National and Community Service. People ages 18 to 24 formation with the public. from around the nation provide 10 months of full-time service on emerConger arrived at the AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region campus in gency management projects. Sacramento, Calif. on Feb. 12 and completed six weeks of specialized For more information about FEMA training in the area of community Corps or AmeriCorps NCCC, or to relations. Conger is nearing the end apply online, visit of her first project round, spanning www.nationalservice.gov.

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Next One By Laura Rodriguez

The West is the Best It has been confessed We cover nine different territories Each with their own stories Four actually rate Among the largest states We cover eight different time zones All disaster prone Hurricanes and their crazy winds We come and clean up after them From Hurricane Ike, Sandy and Katrina You can call when you need us Earthquakes that make the ground shake From our beds, we will wake Run over the RRCC And make disaster history So Ill say As we walk away After our job here is done See you on the next one.
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If a Tsunami was to cause a wave And make all the buildings concave Well stand there like soldiers brave and strong Knowing thats our place and where we belong If you have water coming in at your feet Our watch center gets the tweet We wait for the state to give us call Then its all for one and one for all We work as a team Thats how we help those in need I got your back, you got mine Yea thats Region IX

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