What is FEMA Corps?

FEMA Corps is an exciting new partnership between AmeriCorps and the FederalEmergency Management Agency that establishes a new trackof 1,600 service corps members within AmeriCorps National CivilianCommunity Corps (NCCC) dedicated todisaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Just like current AmeriCorps NCCC members, FEMA Corps Members serve a 10 month term and are eligible to serve a second year based on their performance. Also like NCCC, FEMA Corps is a full-time, team-based residential service program for men and women age18-24 operated in the same campus structure asAmeriCorps NCCC. FEMA Corps Members are assigned to one of five NCCC campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Vinton, Iowa. AmeriCorps NCCCand FEMA Corps members receive a living allowance of approximately $4,000 for the 10months of service (about $200 every two weeks before taxes), housing, meals, limited medical benefits, up to $400 a month forchildcare, if necessary, member uniforms, anda Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

What's the difference between FEMA Corps and the traditional track of AmeriCorps NCCC?

The AmeriCorps NCCCprogram focuses in a wide variety of service and project areas including direct response and recovery to natural andother disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. In partnership with non-profits-secular and faith based, local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national or state parks, Indian Tribes and schools members complete service projects throughout the campus region they are assigned.

FEMA Corps members will solely focus on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities with FEMA, within their campus region for the full10 months of their service term. Members will be dedicated to FEMA deployments in areas oflogistics, community relations, individual and public assistance, and recovery. They will provide support in areas ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovering centers to sharing valuable disaster preparedness and mitigation information with the public.

Will the traditional NCCC track still respond to natural and other disasters?

Yes. As one of our main project focus areas, NCCC has a commitment to work related to disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, andrecovery. The traditional NCCC track will still work directly with the American Red Cross, state commissions, non-profits, and faith based disaster response organizations. Potential activities include setting up and managing shelters and emergency call centers, large scale debris removal, demolition and construction, as well as leading and contributing to overall volunteer efforts. AmeriCorps NCCC members can expect at least one project in this focus area.