Q&A: So there's 2 units in your group and 8 teams in each. Does each team have a specialty like IA or DSA?
Within class 20, there is two units and eight teams within each unit. Most of the teams are designated an FQS (FEMA Qualification System/Job specialty) which is what (if you are a part of FEMA Corp) is what you will get specialized training to do. Out of all the teams, there is only one or two teams that are "mixed" meaning that the team members specalize in a number of different areas.
Currently, at least in my experience, the FQS is only what you get specalized training in. When you get deployed, it is possible that you work in a position that wouldn't usually fall under your teams FQS.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
What are SPIKES?
What are "SPIKES" and what happens while you are on one?
As AmeriCorp defines it, as spike is "a project that requires the team to establish temporary housing in the community where the project is being conducted because it is too far from the campus to travel to and from every day." (NationalService.gov - http://www.nationalservice.gov/node/12336)
Spikes, at least in my opinion and time thus far, are "unique in a sense" to NCCC Traditional track vs FEMA Corp (The program I am a part of). In FEMA Corp, we are very versatile as to where we can go, thus not really having any so called SPIKEs as it is defined since our different deployments in themselves are SPIKEs. If I were to consider them SPIKEs, we would always be on SPIKEs when not in transition at our regional headquarters or other transition site in special rare cases.
Is SPIKE an acronym and if so, what does it stand for?
From my experience and fellow corp members I have talked to, SPIKE is not an acronym nor do the letters stand for anything else. It is mearly a phrase used to define special projects that NCCC Traditional (unique to my knowledge) sometimes go on.
Any further questions; questions about SPIKE/s, post them in a comment below. If you have other questions about AmeriCorp NCCC Traditional or FEMA Corp, and/or my experiences in FEMA Corp, send me your questions easilly using the Q&A box on the panel on the right of this page. The more questions asked, the more I can answer and the more advice/insight I can do my best to give. Keep in mind that these posts are simply my opinions and reactions based off my experiences (unless quoted like above), however I do my best to be objective and will always give honest advice and info. More info and posts to come.
As AmeriCorp defines it, as spike is "a project that requires the team to establish temporary housing in the community where the project is being conducted because it is too far from the campus to travel to and from every day." (NationalService.gov - http://www.nationalservice.gov/node/12336)
Spikes, at least in my opinion and time thus far, are "unique in a sense" to NCCC Traditional track vs FEMA Corp (The program I am a part of). In FEMA Corp, we are very versatile as to where we can go, thus not really having any so called SPIKEs as it is defined since our different deployments in themselves are SPIKEs. If I were to consider them SPIKEs, we would always be on SPIKEs when not in transition at our regional headquarters or other transition site in special rare cases.
Is SPIKE an acronym and if so, what does it stand for?
From my experience and fellow corp members I have talked to, SPIKE is not an acronym nor do the letters stand for anything else. It is mearly a phrase used to define special projects that NCCC Traditional (unique to my knowledge) sometimes go on.
Any further questions; questions about SPIKE/s, post them in a comment below. If you have other questions about AmeriCorp NCCC Traditional or FEMA Corp, and/or my experiences in FEMA Corp, send me your questions easilly using the Q&A box on the panel on the right of this page. The more questions asked, the more I can answer and the more advice/insight I can do my best to give. Keep in mind that these posts are simply my opinions and reactions based off my experiences (unless quoted like above), however I do my best to be objective and will always give honest advice and info. More info and posts to come.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
First Deployment!!
After completing both CTI and the 10 day training taught by FEMA, we have just gotten informed about where our teams are going for our very first deployment. Our team, whom are all IA/AS (Individual Assistance/Applicant Services) specialists are being deployed to Washington DC to work at FEMA Headquarters. Very excited! Should be a blast!
I'll post more about DC after we arrive there and I do plan on writing a post soon about the over all experience here in Anniston Alabama. Although I am still getting used to the heat and the humidity, Alabama really is a nice state and Fort McClellan really is a nice base. Sorry I haven't posted pictures, there are regulations on where pictures can be taken as well as just being busy with long days of training, 6 days a week for us for a span of 10 training days. Had Sunday off. Had a great time, great and filling food. And by far the best part where the trainers our team had. All very good and high quality trainers. The reservests we trained with were all great as well.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming posts. Leaving for DC on Thursday. Comment, send me your questions for Q & A in future posts. Questions help add to this blog. Subscribe via email if you would like to be notified by email when new blog posts are published to this blog. More posts to come for sure.
I'll post more about DC after we arrive there and I do plan on writing a post soon about the over all experience here in Anniston Alabama. Although I am still getting used to the heat and the humidity, Alabama really is a nice state and Fort McClellan really is a nice base. Sorry I haven't posted pictures, there are regulations on where pictures can be taken as well as just being busy with long days of training, 6 days a week for us for a span of 10 training days. Had Sunday off. Had a great time, great and filling food. And by far the best part where the trainers our team had. All very good and high quality trainers. The reservests we trained with were all great as well.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming posts. Leaving for DC on Thursday. Comment, send me your questions for Q & A in future posts. Questions help add to this blog. Subscribe via email if you would like to be notified by email when new blog posts are published to this blog. More posts to come for sure.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
What an "average day" is like
I had a request to explain what an average day is link for me within my work with AmeriCorp. Please keep in mind, I am part of the FEMA Corp which is a program that is run jointly by both AmeriCorp and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Because of the work it is and the rules around it, I am just going to talk generally and our days here are similar to our AmeriCorp training. While our motto in FEMA Corp is "FEMA Flexable". One way it can be thought about is that we could be on our way to California to do some disaster preparedness work, and we could be almost there but if a disaster is declared by the president say in Georgia and our team is needed, we turn around and make the drive back. For our region, the Atlantic Region, we are one of 8 teams within our unit which is one of two units - the other unit having 8 teams as well.
Do you have PT?
In the standard week, with only a rare exception, we have PT (Physical Training) three times a week for 60 minutes. There are often addition options activity wise. Within our group, we have had numerous games of frisbee; the facility we are on now has a vollyball net outdoors and while it can be quite hot being in the south, just this evening I joined in on a game with a group of other people. PT isn't all running and after CTI (Corps Training Institute) is over, the job of leading the PT will fall to each teams Fitness Trainer.
What if any are inspections like?
In addition to PT three times, while in CTI working with FEMA Corp or Traditional NCCC you will be roomed with other members of the same gender at your region headquarters. There are periodic room checks by the team leaders just to make sure the rooms are being kept in reasonable order and clean. There are also regulations regarding uniform and how/what what uniforms are worn which are regulated.
What is the food like?
While in AmeriCorp, we are responsible for preparing meals and shopping for food during weekly trips to a local foods store. Although we didn't get a large amount of money for food, an amount that at first seemed suprisingly low, we have been eating pretty well while preparing healthy meals from scratch most often. Corp members are able to buy additional items with their biweekly living allowence, so if there is something that you want to get, you can buy it that way. While we are in Alabama however, meals are provided by the facility and they are quite nice. A nice treat while we are here and a break from planning meals while we are being trained.
"Day in the life"? What is an "average day" like and the length of days?
Over CTI and FEMA job training for FEMA Corp, you can expect long hours, sometimes from 7am to 5 or 6 pm which can make for long days. With time, you will get used to the early morning wake times and the 6am PTs during CTI. During training, expect long hours and allot of information given to you over a few weeks (for us, a little under a month.
Long days, lots of learning, dedication to being able to do our jobs well to provide high quality service to those who have been unfortunitely been effected by disasters, natural or man made, is what makes the less then easy aspects and leaving our previous lives for 10 months worth it. With any additional survivors we can help get back to some sense of "norm" once again.
Do you have PT?
In the standard week, with only a rare exception, we have PT (Physical Training) three times a week for 60 minutes. There are often addition options activity wise. Within our group, we have had numerous games of frisbee; the facility we are on now has a vollyball net outdoors and while it can be quite hot being in the south, just this evening I joined in on a game with a group of other people. PT isn't all running and after CTI (Corps Training Institute) is over, the job of leading the PT will fall to each teams Fitness Trainer.
What if any are inspections like?
In addition to PT three times, while in CTI working with FEMA Corp or Traditional NCCC you will be roomed with other members of the same gender at your region headquarters. There are periodic room checks by the team leaders just to make sure the rooms are being kept in reasonable order and clean. There are also regulations regarding uniform and how/what what uniforms are worn which are regulated.
What is the food like?
While in AmeriCorp, we are responsible for preparing meals and shopping for food during weekly trips to a local foods store. Although we didn't get a large amount of money for food, an amount that at first seemed suprisingly low, we have been eating pretty well while preparing healthy meals from scratch most often. Corp members are able to buy additional items with their biweekly living allowence, so if there is something that you want to get, you can buy it that way. While we are in Alabama however, meals are provided by the facility and they are quite nice. A nice treat while we are here and a break from planning meals while we are being trained.
"Day in the life"? What is an "average day" like and the length of days?
Over CTI and FEMA job training for FEMA Corp, you can expect long hours, sometimes from 7am to 5 or 6 pm which can make for long days. With time, you will get used to the early morning wake times and the 6am PTs during CTI. During training, expect long hours and allot of information given to you over a few weeks (for us, a little under a month.
Long days, lots of learning, dedication to being able to do our jobs well to provide high quality service to those who have been unfortunitely been effected by disasters, natural or man made, is what makes the less then easy aspects and leaving our previous lives for 10 months worth it. With any additional survivors we can help get back to some sense of "norm" once again.
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