After getting back from our two week break, happening over Thanksgiving, we had a week for transition as we prepared for our second projects. Most of us arrived back on Sunday, however many had to deal with flight delays due to the weather on the east coast. An important thing to consider if you need transportation from the place you are arriving at (airport, train station, ect) to your campus, shuttles may be grounded due to bad weather if the campus feels that the roads are hazardous to drive on. Luckily for me, I was able to get back to the campus and our campus ended up asking Corp Members to help drive some of the evening shuttles to pick more people up at the airport, however all shuttles after 7 were canceled and some people had to wait in the airport til the next morning when shuttles could get back out to pick them up.
Transition Week:
Transition week for us, which went from the Monday after we got back until Friday started off slowly on Monday with most of the day off until more people arrived, then we had a short corp meeting before breaking for dinner and calling it a night.
Over the next few days, we would have some meetings, a couple hour long trainings, a snow day including possibly one of the best PTs, involving a team wide snowball fight then the building of a massive snow fort. Outside of that, there was a considerable amount of sitting around and chatting while each days worth of training/activities were being figured out. It was nice to know where we were being sent for our second round so that we could pack accordingly as we came back from break.
It was nice that we were able to eventually get AmeriCorp Winter Parkas (Winter Jackets), which they ran out of and some people almost didn't get them, but I was able to bring the Parka with me and left my bigger jacket from home on campus saving some room in the van with the stuff that our team couldn't fit in our red bags or day packs.
All in all, the transition week went fairly well regardless of the time we spent waiting to see if we would have anything else we needed to be in uniform for on a few of the days. It was nice to be able to see the whole Corp again and visit in the down times as not all the teams will have the third and last transition at the same time, so it was most likely the last time the whole corp will be in the same place until the end of our term of service.
More to come in the next few days. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Time for a Break
As the end of this round winds down, we are getting our two week break where we have the opportunity to go back to where we are from for those two weeks if we wish. For the break, you are responsible for covering the transportation costs to and from wherever you are going and being back to your campus when the break is over.
As for the time of break, there is no set time that each team goes on break, although each teams break is for two weeks (currently). Will be nice to have a break before we start our next round.
Any questions? More posts to come, stay tuned.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Q & A - Travel Profile
Q: What if we filled out the travel profile ahead of time before we got the welcome packet? - Michael P.
A: Filling out the travel profile once you have been accepted by an AmeriCorp program is good. Be aware that I don't officially represent AmeriCorp or other organizations, but unless you have heard different from an official source, filling out the travel profile (How you would like to travel ideally). Filling the travel profile out helps AmeriCorp plan how to get you to the training site when the round begins and where you are coming from. Unless someone from AmeriCorp who stated that they work for them and gave you their job title told you different, filling out the travel profile once you are able to fill it out or are asked to fill it out shouldn't be a problem.
Questions are always welcome here and they help make this blog more interactive. Any information sent along with the questions will be kept private and I only put a partial name after the question to show the writer that it was their question. No full names will be released for privacy reasons.
All questions are welcome. If I don't have the answers to the question, I will do my best to direct you to where you can find the answer. Keep the questions coming and expect some more posts within the next couple weeks if not sooner. Have a couple in the works currently. So long for now.
A: Filling out the travel profile once you have been accepted by an AmeriCorp program is good. Be aware that I don't officially represent AmeriCorp or other organizations, but unless you have heard different from an official source, filling out the travel profile (How you would like to travel ideally). Filling the travel profile out helps AmeriCorp plan how to get you to the training site when the round begins and where you are coming from. Unless someone from AmeriCorp who stated that they work for them and gave you their job title told you different, filling out the travel profile once you are able to fill it out or are asked to fill it out shouldn't be a problem.
Questions are always welcome here and they help make this blog more interactive. Any information sent along with the questions will be kept private and I only put a partial name after the question to show the writer that it was their question. No full names will be released for privacy reasons.
All questions are welcome. If I don't have the answers to the question, I will do my best to direct you to where you can find the answer. Keep the questions coming and expect some more posts within the next couple weeks if not sooner. Have a couple in the works currently. So long for now.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Experience of the Arlington Cemetery
How do you describe the sea of gravestones each representing a brave man or woman who has paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom and life we all know and enjoy in this country? How do you describe the experience of knowing that each one of the headstones represents a family that lost someone in defence of our freedoms? Buried alongside presidents are many of the most noble and honorable men and woman that have sacrificed their lives in service of our country.
On October 20th, a group of us (within our team) took a Sunday to drive up to Arlington Cemetery while we are deployed in DC working at the FEMA HQs office. Walking around the Arlington Cemetery, it is a very sobering experience. Just the sheer size of the cemetery and what it represents. Its really an experience that can never be properly described to someone who hasn't been there in person.
The sea of white headstones, each one representing a fallen soldier who has given his or her life in combat, really makes an impact on visitors to the Arlington Cemetery.
Although the experience is indescribable, this video helps to show just how many honorable American Soldiers are buried here. And this is but one group of many groups. Every headstone represents someone who left family and friends behind. Each headstone represents a fallen hero.
Walking through the cemetery, constantly surrounded by the graves of fallen soldiers who gave their lives, is an experience that everyone should have. There is the famous saying "Freedom isn't free". Only when you visit a place such as this and experience it in person for yourself, do you fully realize that it isn't simply a saying but rather a reality that is easily said but less commonly understood.
The honor at which every one of the service men and women buried at Arlington Cemetery, creates a feeling and experience that makes a lasting impression on all who fully experience it.
In the upcoming future, I hope to also post a separate post about the Changing of the Guard, an honored ceremony that happens at the Arlington Ceremony, once an hour, on the hour. Keep an eye out for the post. There are also photos from our trip to the Arlington Cemetery, now on the Photobucket (linked on the right of this blog).
More posts to come.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Q & A - Effect the Government Shutdown had on FEMA Corp
Q: I saw a facebook post at Americorps NCCC Winter 2013: FEMA Corps - Denver Campus, indicating that the government shutdown might be impacting deployment of NCCC teams. Sounds like teams are not traveling unless they're involved with disaster relief. Do you know if the government shutdown affecting the FEMA Corps program?
A: First I want to say that in answering this, my answer only responds to how it effected where I worked and what I have heard about other teams/locations of AmeriCorps NCCC Traditional and FEMA Corp. For our team specifically, we were minimally effected outside of the fact that our van was only approved for trips to and from work and needed health and wellness trips. For ISPs (Independent Service Projects) they had to be approved prior to the shutdown, and future unapproved ISPs were on hold until the shutdown was over. Our living allowances were still given and came on time and we were still funded, FEMA Corp is funded slightly different than other government programs so it still had funding during the partial government shutdown.
However during the shutdown, our primary POC (point of contact) was out on furlough, so we had a couple new POCs who worked on alternating days and who we reported to during the shutdown.
From what I have heard about how other AmeriCorp groups were effected, and this is all secondhand information so take it as such and not as official information, classes who had either not started training yet or who were not deployed yet were on hold until the partial shutdown ended. The different teams who were already deployable and deployed prior to the shutdown as far as i know were able to keep working and were funded during the shutdown.
Luckilly the shutdown is done now and our original POC returned to work this past Thursday. Time to do good work this last month then it is off for a two week break before our final six month period of service. More posts to come, stay tuned.
If you have any questions about AmeriCorps or what life is like while serving within the programs, send your questions in with the box that is on the upper right side of the blog page. Reader questions give me even more to talk about as well as enable this blog to have a Q & A component where questions can be answered and I can share my experience and feedback as it pertains to each question. Helps to liven up the blog even more.
All posts and answers are my sole opinion unless otherwise quoted and cited.
A: First I want to say that in answering this, my answer only responds to how it effected where I worked and what I have heard about other teams/locations of AmeriCorps NCCC Traditional and FEMA Corp. For our team specifically, we were minimally effected outside of the fact that our van was only approved for trips to and from work and needed health and wellness trips. For ISPs (Independent Service Projects) they had to be approved prior to the shutdown, and future unapproved ISPs were on hold until the shutdown was over. Our living allowances were still given and came on time and we were still funded, FEMA Corp is funded slightly different than other government programs so it still had funding during the partial government shutdown.
However during the shutdown, our primary POC (point of contact) was out on furlough, so we had a couple new POCs who worked on alternating days and who we reported to during the shutdown.
From what I have heard about how other AmeriCorp groups were effected, and this is all secondhand information so take it as such and not as official information, classes who had either not started training yet or who were not deployed yet were on hold until the partial shutdown ended. The different teams who were already deployable and deployed prior to the shutdown as far as i know were able to keep working and were funded during the shutdown.
Luckilly the shutdown is done now and our original POC returned to work this past Thursday. Time to do good work this last month then it is off for a two week break before our final six month period of service. More posts to come, stay tuned.
If you have any questions about AmeriCorps or what life is like while serving within the programs, send your questions in with the box that is on the upper right side of the blog page. Reader questions give me even more to talk about as well as enable this blog to have a Q & A component where questions can be answered and I can share my experience and feedback as it pertains to each question. Helps to liven up the blog even more.
All posts and answers are my sole opinion unless otherwise quoted and cited.
Update and future posts
Just wanted to post a quick update since my blog has been quiet for the past little while. For the past week or two, I was unable to connect to the wifi when not at work however with a quick technical fix from the IT people this past Thursday, I am able to connect to the wifi here where we are staying once again.
Looking forward to the upcoming break, will have two weeks off during which I will be back in Oregon, then it is back to work for the next six months. Having a blast so far and have more posts planned but it will be nice to have the break then change up the work days with a new project after the break. Be on the lookout for some more blogposts as well as more pictures posted to the photobucket account linked on the right side of this page. Planning on going to Arlington Cemetery today with some team members so should be a good experience and memorable.
More to come. Stay tuned.
Looking forward to the upcoming break, will have two weeks off during which I will be back in Oregon, then it is back to work for the next six months. Having a blast so far and have more posts planned but it will be nice to have the break then change up the work days with a new project after the break. Be on the lookout for some more blogposts as well as more pictures posted to the photobucket account linked on the right side of this page. Planning on going to Arlington Cemetery today with some team members so should be a good experience and memorable.
More to come. Stay tuned.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
First Photos Up
I have recently uploaded a first batch of photos to the Photobucket that I will be using for my time in AmeriCorp's FEMA Corp. You can access the photos with the link that is on the right of the page. It has its own box with the link and will always be on the right.
There will also be some pictures from there added to new posts as applicable, but all the pictures will be on the photobucket page, most likely sorted into different albums based on location and occasionally activity.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions about my time in AmeriCorp. I'll take questions and post them with my thoughts as new blog posts. If it is a primarally technical question, about the specifics of something AmeriCorp offers for example, I will share my thoughts as well as refer you to where you can find more info officially. Please note, what I post is based solely on my experiences, but I won't pretend to know something I don't. I will share my thoughts but will also refer readers to the official sources for the more technical questions.
Having a great time so far. While the weather in Maryland is often hot in my opinion [being from Oregon], Perry Point is a really nice area and the VA site has wonderful grounds. Take a look at the pictures and stay tuned for more pictures as well as blog posts as the journey continues.
Note: New pictures on the Photobucket may not always be announced in a blog post. They will be added to as time permits, but check back from time to time on both the blog and the Photobucket page if you enjoy the pictures.
There will also be some pictures from there added to new posts as applicable, but all the pictures will be on the photobucket page, most likely sorted into different albums based on location and occasionally activity.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions about my time in AmeriCorp. I'll take questions and post them with my thoughts as new blog posts. If it is a primarally technical question, about the specifics of something AmeriCorp offers for example, I will share my thoughts as well as refer you to where you can find more info officially. Please note, what I post is based solely on my experiences, but I won't pretend to know something I don't. I will share my thoughts but will also refer readers to the official sources for the more technical questions.
Having a great time so far. While the weather in Maryland is often hot in my opinion [being from Oregon], Perry Point is a really nice area and the VA site has wonderful grounds. Take a look at the pictures and stay tuned for more pictures as well as blog posts as the journey continues.
Note: New pictures on the Photobucket may not always be announced in a blog post. They will be added to as time permits, but check back from time to time on both the blog and the Photobucket page if you enjoy the pictures.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Next Step in the Journey
After our next two weeks of training here at Perry Point in Maryland, we as a corp will all be heading for our job specialty training in Anniston, Alabama. Note: This is most likely only true for the Atlantic Region and is only true for FEMA Corp.
Once we get to Alabama, we will be getting trained by FEMA trainers on what our specific jobs are going to involve and the skills needed. This will give each of us the skills to excel at our personal jobs with the specific training catered to our specific position. For myself personally, myself as well as my team (of 11 people) will be working as IAs (Individual Assistants) who will be working directly with Distaster Survivors as they come into DRCs also known as Disaster Recovery Centers.
Once we are done with the two week job training, our team as well as the other teams from both of the Atlantic Regions Summer FEMA Corp units will be able to be deployed to anywhere in the US should there be a declared disaster, which is declared by the President.
I'm looking forward to being able to be on the road and get to see allot of new places as well as hopefully do some good. We'll see what my ability to post new updates to this blog is like while in Alabama, security might be fairly tight as well as the fact of us just working long days with training. Once we are deployed, it most likely won't be uncommon for us to be working 43 or more hour weeks. Naturally, this can change as can most other things.
Within FEMA and FEMA Corp, one of the common sayings is FEMA Flexible. For example, my team could be driving to California to help with disaster awareness, but if there is a sudden declared disaster in Georgia and no other team is available or it is an "all hands on deck" disaster, you are turning around and off to Georgia you all go.
I'll do my best to keep this blog up to date, and will have some posts ready to publish periodically. Feel free to comment if you have questions on this post, or send me your questions about AmeriCorp programs using the questions box on the right. Subscribe using your email account to get notifications when a new post is upgraded. I won't spam subscriber email addresses or give them out. Most likely, I dislike spam as much if not more than you. Thanks for reading.
Once we get to Alabama, we will be getting trained by FEMA trainers on what our specific jobs are going to involve and the skills needed. This will give each of us the skills to excel at our personal jobs with the specific training catered to our specific position. For myself personally, myself as well as my team (of 11 people) will be working as IAs (Individual Assistants) who will be working directly with Distaster Survivors as they come into DRCs also known as Disaster Recovery Centers.
Once we are done with the two week job training, our team as well as the other teams from both of the Atlantic Regions Summer FEMA Corp units will be able to be deployed to anywhere in the US should there be a declared disaster, which is declared by the President.
I'm looking forward to being able to be on the road and get to see allot of new places as well as hopefully do some good. We'll see what my ability to post new updates to this blog is like while in Alabama, security might be fairly tight as well as the fact of us just working long days with training. Once we are deployed, it most likely won't be uncommon for us to be working 43 or more hour weeks. Naturally, this can change as can most other things.
Within FEMA and FEMA Corp, one of the common sayings is FEMA Flexible. For example, my team could be driving to California to help with disaster awareness, but if there is a sudden declared disaster in Georgia and no other team is available or it is an "all hands on deck" disaster, you are turning around and off to Georgia you all go.
I'll do my best to keep this blog up to date, and will have some posts ready to publish periodically. Feel free to comment if you have questions on this post, or send me your questions about AmeriCorp programs using the questions box on the right. Subscribe using your email account to get notifications when a new post is upgraded. I won't spam subscriber email addresses or give them out. Most likely, I dislike spam as much if not more than you. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Training in CTI (Corp Training Institute), FEMA 101 and the next step
Training in AmeriCorp (pronounced Ameri-Core) starts with what is called the Corp Training Institute[From here forth called CTI]. This is a program that teaches you the basics of what AmeriCorp is about and your time in AmeriCorp. From what we are told, the CTI is the same for both FEMA Corp members and the Traditional NCCC (National Civilian Community Corp). After CTI, we as FEMA Corp members begun our FEMA training with FEMA 101. What the classes cover, which are currently over three days, are the basics as to what FEMA does in their work with disasters and how FEMA is set up. As the title says, it is in essence an introduction to the basics.
Once we are done with FEMA 101 and the final training here, we are having the induction "ceremony" with people from FEMA coming in to welcome us as well as some members parents and families. After that, we are off to Anniston, Alabama for our job specific training.
Minker Hall - Where allot of CTI happened.
Got questions or thoughts? Post comments, ask me questions in the box on the right of the page and subscribe with your email to stay up to date with newly published posts. The more questions sent, the more answers I can do my best to give.
More posts soon.
Once we are done with FEMA 101 and the final training here, we are having the induction "ceremony" with people from FEMA coming in to welcome us as well as some members parents and families. After that, we are off to Anniston, Alabama for our job specific training.
Minker Hall - Where allot of CTI happened.
Got questions or thoughts? Post comments, ask me questions in the box on the right of the page and subscribe with your email to stay up to date with newly published posts. The more questions sent, the more answers I can do my best to give.
More posts soon.
Why So Silent and an update
Just wanted to post an update as to why my blog has been so quiet since August 6th (fly out date). The internet where we are stationed on Perry Point, Maryland has had very slow and is often unreliant when trying to use it at all. That being said, it is a very nice campus where we are currently. We are stationed for training at the VA Hospital on Perry Point, just south of Perryville.
The Atlantic Region campus for AmeriCorp will be moving to a newly built facility in Baltimore at some point in the future, but until then we are based here at the VA Hospital. I do have to say, outside of the slow and unreliable internet, the VA Hospital has a really beautiful site. I hope to be able to post pictures soon, and will be linking to the Photobucket. Thus far, we have been busy with training Monday - Friday often going from eight in the morning till 5. The nice thing however is that while we are training, we have the weekends off to spend as we see fit [for the most part].
Just be aware, unless one of the Team Leaders has agreed to transport a group of Corp Members on an all ages trip, you are responsible for paying for cab fare although it can be split if you find a couple other people who want to go the same place. Wally World as we call Walmart here is a popular shopping place. Within my first week and a half, I have been there a number of times already just to get some stuff at the start, although I hope to only have to go back once more to buy a new phone for the rest of the month.
In the future, I plan to update this blog more. Until we move to Baltimore or until I get access to a better internet connection and computer like device, I may be posting a number of "back order" blog posts at once. I appologise for this in advance for those who get a number of "new post updates" one after another, I hope it can be changed once the internet connection ability improves. Until then, every post will be unique, hopefully meaningful/interesting while I deal with the less then decent internet. It will get better soon.
More posts to come. Read; comment; send me questions about AmeriCorp (on the right of the screen), and if you enjoy the blog, feel free to enter your email (also on the right) and you will be notified when more posts are published. Use an email you can check, I promise not to spam or give out emails; spam-mail bugs me at least if not more that it may you. More to come.
The Atlantic Region campus for AmeriCorp will be moving to a newly built facility in Baltimore at some point in the future, but until then we are based here at the VA Hospital. I do have to say, outside of the slow and unreliable internet, the VA Hospital has a really beautiful site. I hope to be able to post pictures soon, and will be linking to the Photobucket. Thus far, we have been busy with training Monday - Friday often going from eight in the morning till 5. The nice thing however is that while we are training, we have the weekends off to spend as we see fit [for the most part].
Just be aware, unless one of the Team Leaders has agreed to transport a group of Corp Members on an all ages trip, you are responsible for paying for cab fare although it can be split if you find a couple other people who want to go the same place. Wally World as we call Walmart here is a popular shopping place. Within my first week and a half, I have been there a number of times already just to get some stuff at the start, although I hope to only have to go back once more to buy a new phone for the rest of the month.
In the future, I plan to update this blog more. Until we move to Baltimore or until I get access to a better internet connection and computer like device, I may be posting a number of "back order" blog posts at once. I appologise for this in advance for those who get a number of "new post updates" one after another, I hope it can be changed once the internet connection ability improves. Until then, every post will be unique, hopefully meaningful/interesting while I deal with the less then decent internet. It will get better soon.
More posts to come. Read; comment; send me questions about AmeriCorp (on the right of the screen), and if you enjoy the blog, feel free to enter your email (also on the right) and you will be notified when more posts are published. Use an email you can check, I promise not to spam or give out emails; spam-mail bugs me at least if not more that it may you. More to come.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Recieving Confirmation
Once you receive confirmation that your fingerprint card and background check have cleared along with them receiving your medical questionnaire, they will ask you to fill out a welcome packet and send it back to them within a 10 day period. As I have suggested before, I do suggest you fill it out in a timely manner and early so that it can get back to them via email will more than enough time. When filling out the PDF form, it will ask for a digital signature on a number of forms. This can be done using adobe reader or you could probably print out the forms, sign them, then scan and email them back. I would imagine having them hand signed would be fine, but I would confirm with them to make sure emailing them a scanned copy of the form would be fine instead of using a digital signature.
After you send the welcome packet back, give them some time to process it then they will email you back and ask you to fill out a travel plan document as well as fill out a travel plan on your MyAmeriCorp online. This as far as I know to date is the last form they will ask you to send back. Once you complete them and it is received, they will send you your itinerary for your trip to campus for the start of the program. This is the stage where they will give you your final information on how to prepare and your details for traveling there. You will also hear if other people are coming to the same campus from where you are leaving from if you are coming from a bigger city or via a bigger city.
More info to come. Most likely about getting ready to leave for FEMA Corp then the beginning of FEMA Corp where I will be starting in Maryland. Leave a comment, or you can now send me a question via the question box on the right. I'll do my best to answer questions and keep up to date with the answers, plus it could make for some good dialog.
After you send the welcome packet back, give them some time to process it then they will email you back and ask you to fill out a travel plan document as well as fill out a travel plan on your MyAmeriCorp online. This as far as I know to date is the last form they will ask you to send back. Once you complete them and it is received, they will send you your itinerary for your trip to campus for the start of the program. This is the stage where they will give you your final information on how to prepare and your details for traveling there. You will also hear if other people are coming to the same campus from where you are leaving from if you are coming from a bigger city or via a bigger city.
More info to come. Most likely about getting ready to leave for FEMA Corp then the beginning of FEMA Corp where I will be starting in Maryland. Leave a comment, or you can now send me a question via the question box on the right. I'll do my best to answer questions and keep up to date with the answers, plus it could make for some good dialog.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Hearing back from AmeriCorps
Once you hear back from AmeriCorp, for the Summer Session starting in August you will most likely hear back in mid May to early June, there will be a process of information that you need to fill out and get back to them. Contained in the first packet will be an information packet with a FAQ section as well as general information about what your program involves and what you should expect. Also in the packet will be a fingerprint card and a medical questionnaire. At this point, you will also get a letter about your approval status either as "conditionally accepted" or as being on the waitlist. If you have been conditionally accepted, it means that there is a spot at what ever campus (region) is listed however your approval is based on you getting the information back to them within the time period. This is why I suggest sending the forms back within 2 or 3 days of getting the packet so that it has more than enough time to be shipped. Also, ask for a proof of shipment when you drop it off at a local UPS store so you can keep it in your records in case any issues arise.
To complete the fingerprint card, you'll need to get a certified specialist to do the fingerprints on the card that was sent to you. It is important that the finger prints are on the official card and that all the appropriate information is filled out accurately. The way I did this was for looking for official fingerprinting services near where I live. If you live in a bigger city, there will usually be a number of places including passport offices that can do this. I would suggest doing a google search for "fingerprinting services city, state". Replace city, state with where you live and making some phone calls can save you a fair amount of money. I was able to find places that did them from $10 to $20, but if you call around, some places might be less busy and able to do them cheaper.
For the medical questionnaire, you don't need a doctor to fill it out, but you need to get both the forms filled out and mailed back asap and before 10 days after the date on the top of the packet. They will also a return UPS package for you to send the forms back in and I highly suggest you to try and send the information back a day or two after receiving the information so that it has plenty of time to get back to AmeriCorps.
Feel free to comment if you have questions. More info to come.
To complete the fingerprint card, you'll need to get a certified specialist to do the fingerprints on the card that was sent to you. It is important that the finger prints are on the official card and that all the appropriate information is filled out accurately. The way I did this was for looking for official fingerprinting services near where I live. If you live in a bigger city, there will usually be a number of places including passport offices that can do this. I would suggest doing a google search for "fingerprinting services city, state". Replace city, state with where you live and making some phone calls can save you a fair amount of money. I was able to find places that did them from $10 to $20, but if you call around, some places might be less busy and able to do them cheaper.
For the medical questionnaire, you don't need a doctor to fill it out, but you need to get both the forms filled out and mailed back asap and before 10 days after the date on the top of the packet. They will also a return UPS package for you to send the forms back in and I highly suggest you to try and send the information back a day or two after receiving the information so that it has plenty of time to get back to AmeriCorps.
Feel free to comment if you have questions. More info to come.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Beginning the process
Wanting to give some information for anyone who might be considering working with AmeriCorp. On their website, they have the deadlines for both of their work sessions (Summer and I believe Winter). If I am correct, the deadline for the Summer start date (early August) was around March 30th.
If you are even considering joining AmeriCorps, make sure to look into the different programs and get an application in asap. Once you have one "resume/application" online with two good references, you can use the same form to apply to different positions without needing to re-fill out the other applications. I would recommend filling them out early, as well as checking out other blogs on AmeriCorps programs. While this is one, I am in AmeriCorp's FEMA Corp program and having more opinions can only be beneficial. After you fill out the applications, there will be a waiting period but do check on the submissions screen and check on the status of your applications. Once you see that the application/s are completed, there will be a wait as the applications are being processed. Submitting applications in March, plan to hear back first some time in May (which is when I heard back), but don't feel like you are out just because it has been a month since you have heard anything back.
As always, feel free to comment below, and I will go into the next processes in applying in the next post. Stay tuned.
If you are even considering joining AmeriCorps, make sure to look into the different programs and get an application in asap. Once you have one "resume/application" online with two good references, you can use the same form to apply to different positions without needing to re-fill out the other applications. I would recommend filling them out early, as well as checking out other blogs on AmeriCorps programs. While this is one, I am in AmeriCorp's FEMA Corp program and having more opinions can only be beneficial. After you fill out the applications, there will be a waiting period but do check on the submissions screen and check on the status of your applications. Once you see that the application/s are completed, there will be a wait as the applications are being processed. Submitting applications in March, plan to hear back first some time in May (which is when I heard back), but don't feel like you are out just because it has been a month since you have heard anything back.
As always, feel free to comment below, and I will go into the next processes in applying in the next post. Stay tuned.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Start of the blog
Yesterday, I received the email with my final confirmation for being accepted into AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps. I'll give a little back history here in my first posting as well as talk about why I decided to look into AmeriCorps. Over the next few days, I'll go back and talk about the process of applying and the periods/steps there are in the process.
One thing to be aware of is that after the first deadline that is when applications are due by, end of March for Summer session, you will have a period where the documents are being processed. So if you submit the needed documents and don't hear back from them outside of the website showing that you have completed and submitted the applications completely, don't be worried. I got my first letter back from them probably a month to month and a half after submitting the applications.
Another suggestion that I want to share, is to apply for a number of their different programs after reading the program decisions. Take housing, food and funds into account, but be aware that you can apply for a number of their different programs and don't need to make a decision until you are excepted into one. If you are excepted into one of the programs, you can either accept the offer or withdraw the offer passing on the position. Be aware thou, if you withdraw on a position that is open for you, you are not guaranteed a position in one of the others. You have the same chances as someone who signed up for the other program/s and may end up without being in a program. At that point, you would probably be put on a waitlist in case a spot opens up. Keep in mind, allot of people apply for these positions and if you get accepted to a program that sounds all right for you, jump at the opportunity and take it.
If you are considering any of the AmeriCorp programs, or are just interested in hearing about what it is like, bookmark this page and check back on it as I plan to update it frequently then when at all possible once I start work with AmeriCorp in August. Keep it mind, I am involved with the FEMA Corp program in their Atlantic Region, however feel free to ask questions in the comments. This blog will be solely about AmeriCorp, so you won't need to dig through other posts about unrelated topics. Will keep this blog about my experiences with AmeriCorp on the east coast.
One thing to be aware of is that after the first deadline that is when applications are due by, end of March for Summer session, you will have a period where the documents are being processed. So if you submit the needed documents and don't hear back from them outside of the website showing that you have completed and submitted the applications completely, don't be worried. I got my first letter back from them probably a month to month and a half after submitting the applications.
Another suggestion that I want to share, is to apply for a number of their different programs after reading the program decisions. Take housing, food and funds into account, but be aware that you can apply for a number of their different programs and don't need to make a decision until you are excepted into one. If you are excepted into one of the programs, you can either accept the offer or withdraw the offer passing on the position. Be aware thou, if you withdraw on a position that is open for you, you are not guaranteed a position in one of the others. You have the same chances as someone who signed up for the other program/s and may end up without being in a program. At that point, you would probably be put on a waitlist in case a spot opens up. Keep in mind, allot of people apply for these positions and if you get accepted to a program that sounds all right for you, jump at the opportunity and take it.
If you are considering any of the AmeriCorp programs, or are just interested in hearing about what it is like, bookmark this page and check back on it as I plan to update it frequently then when at all possible once I start work with AmeriCorp in August. Keep it mind, I am involved with the FEMA Corp program in their Atlantic Region, however feel free to ask questions in the comments. This blog will be solely about AmeriCorp, so you won't need to dig through other posts about unrelated topics. Will keep this blog about my experiences with AmeriCorp on the east coast.
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