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.