CNCS Disaster Brief Update: April 14, 2014

Missoula, Montana Avanlanche

AmeriCorps members with the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) responded to a deadly avalanche that occurred outside of Missoula, MT on February 28, 2014. AmeriCorps members were a key part of the full response effort, working alongside hundreds of volunteers assisting with debris removal. Check out the latest news coverage on ABC FoxMT and KPAX.

Flowood, Mississippi Flooding

AmeriCorps NCCC Southern Region deployed a composite team of 7 AmeriCorps members to work with the American Red Cross Capital River Chapter. They are working out of the chapter office in Flowood, MS, performing disaster assessment, client casework, and other support in several small communities throughout central Mississippi affected by last weekend’s floods. 

Oso, Washington Flooding/Mudslide CNCS continues to be represented by local AmeriCorps program Washington Conservation Corps (WCC), which is housed within the state’s Department of Ecology. The state has deployed 45 AmeriCorps members and 9 staff members to assist with resource delivery and base camp operations. FEMA has also deployed 42 AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps members to support administrative operations. In addition, 4 AmeriCorps members with the American Red Cross have deployed.  Related Social Media: #530slide on Twitter Snohomish County on Twitter and Facebook Red Cross Snohomish County on Twitter Governor’s Office on Twitter Photos of mudslide by WSDOT and the Governor’s Office

America’s PrepareAthon!      

The America’s PrepareAthon! website is live! We are excited to share downloadable materials with you and your employees, members, volunteers, and communities to prepare for disasters. 

Please visit Ready.gov/prepare and register for the national day of action, which is April 30, 2014. If you already have something planned, register your day of action! 

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
To learn more about how to prepare your family and community, please visit 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