Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

Informational only. (see below) Contact your local CERT / Citizen Corps if 
you are available to respond to Florida.

You can find your local CERT program on 
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/cert/dir.asp

You can locate your nearby Citizen Corps Councils by visiting 
http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/mycouncils.do and
typing in your zip code.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare SAR - Hasty Team ICP Team
www.ceoates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT
www.tk-cert.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <citizencorps@dhs.gov>
To: <info@tk-cert.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 04, 2004 4:33 PM
Subject: Citizen Corps and Hurricane Frances


> Citizen Corps and Hurricane Frances
>
> As you are aware, the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA is responding 
> to its second major hurricane to hit Florida in the past several weeks, 
> and we need your help.  Hurricane Frances is approximately 2 and a half 
> times the size of Hurricane Charley.  It is expected to hit Florida and, 
> potentially other states, resulting in devastating damages.  FEMA Response 
> and Recovery operations are a top priority of the Department of Homeland 
> Security.  FEMA is asking us to contact and tap our State and local 
> Citizen Corps Councils, our affiliates and program partners to find 
> volunteers who could serve as Hurricane Frances Community Relations 
> Officers.
>
> You are being requested to immediately seek individuals among your State 
> and Local Citizen Corps Councils for a two-week minimum field assignment 
> as a Community Relations Field Officer.  WE NEED 1000 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 
> OFFICERS WITHIN 48 HOURS BEGINNING NOW (SEPT. 4th) FOR A TOTAL OF 2000 
> WITHIN 7 DAYS.
>
> Requirements for individuals:
>   * Must be sponsored by your State or Local Citizen Corps Council.
>   * Must be a United States Citizen with no prior felony convictions and 
> the ability to successfully complete a government background check.
>   * Must be at least 18 years of age.
>   * Must be physically able to work in a disaster area without 
> refrigeration for medications and have the ability to work in the outdoors 
> all day.
>   * Must be willing to work long hours under arduous conditions (e.g., 
> individuals may reside in an emergency worker tent city rather than a 
> hotel during their assignment.)
>   * Workers may be exposed to mold, high heat and humidity and insects.
>   * Must be willing to work in vicinity of disaster debris, damaged 
> facilities and related adverse conditions.
>   * This assignment is temporary and is a paid assignment.
>   * Must not self-deploy.  Individuals who self-deploy will not be 
> reimbursed.
>
> Role of Community Relations Officer:
>   * Establish and maintain positive working relationships with disaster 
> affected communities and the citizens of those communities
>   * Collect and disseminate information and make referrals for appropriate 
> assistance
>   * Identification of potential issues within the community and reporting 
> to appropriate persons
>   * Convey a positive image of disaster operations to government 
> officials, community organizations and the general public
>   * Perform outreach with community leaders on available Federal disaster 
> assistance
>
> Role of State or Local Citizen Corps Council:
>   * Recruit qualified individuals from existing Citizen Corps volunteer 
> rolls. (e.g. CERT, VIPS, MRCs, other local Citizen Corps groups)
>   * Provide names of qualified volunteers to the FEMA Region 5 ROC
>
>
> Upon arrival at the Mobilization Center in Atlanta, GA, the recruit will:
>
>   * Be sworn in as a Federal employee.
>   * Be given training on Community Relations in Atlanta, GA before you are 
> deployed to the field.
>   * Receive training on deployment procedures and requirements.
>   * Be compensated for the period of employment as a level C-1 reservist 
> ($18.88 per hour)
>   * Receive per diem at the local rate.
>   * Airfare and/or other transportation to Atlanta, GA will be by 
> invitational travel (paid by FEMA)
>   * Note: individual must save all travel related receipts for 
> "vouchering"
>   * Be issued a FEMA badge.
>   * Be issued a temporary government travel credit card. (You are expected 
> to use this card for all travel related expenses such as airfare, lodging, 
> meals, gas, etc. and to pay all bills after reimbursement.)
>
> Procedures:
>
>   * State and Local POC's will compile a list of available individuals 
> using the Volunteer Activation Form (available through Region V ROC).
>
>   * The POC will forward the completed Volunteer Activation Form to the 
> FEMA Region V ROC for review and approval via FAX or by email.
>
>   * An acceptance package with specific instructions will then be 
> forwarded to the POC for distribution to each individual approved for 
> deployment.
>
>
> Region V ROC FAX: (312) 408-5302 or 5599
> Region V ROC email: FEMA-R05-ROC-ESF11@DHS.GOV
>
>
> *(note: email is "R zero 5" in first part of above email address)