FEMA Corps is an NCCC track for young adults who want to gain professional skills in emergency management while serving with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff on disaster response and recovery efforts. It is a 10 month, full-time, team-based residential service program. As a member, you’ll be assigned to one of five NCCC campuses, which will serve as a home base where you will receive training at the start of the year and in between projects. Your focus will solely be on emergency management and long-term recovery and preparedness activities within FEMA. Members serve in teams of about 10 people and are assigned to a number of short-term projects at various locations throughout the country.
Service Activities
FEMA Corps teams engage in a wide variety of projects in various cities and states, under the supervision of FEMA staff. When there are no recent disasters, teams serve in permanent FEMA facilities (in exciting cities such as Washington, DC, Atlanta, New York City, Kansas City and the Dallas-Fort Worth area) and other locations to prepare communities for disasters, analyze previous disasters and make recommendations for improved response, run disaster simulations and exercises, and other duties. When disasters strike, teams deploy to communities in the disaster zone, working with residents and community leaders to speed their recovery. This is a high-adventure program that allows members to make a difference and find their true calling.
Specific tasks might include, to name a few:
Educating communities by giving presentations to community groups.
Developing materials that promote disaster preparation to the public.
Ordering materials, tracking inventory, loading supplies, and managing FEMA IT equipment.
Assisting with GIS mapping to assist with disaster response or disaster simulations.
Updating electronic files, managing data, and writing reports.
Working with nonprofits and government agencies to coordinate services for disaster survivors.
Helping survivors complete applications for disaster assistance.
Assessing and reporting damage to public facilities.
Setting up shelter operations and re-unification of families and pets.
Community Need Addressed
Assisting disaster survivors with rebuilding their lives, preparing communities for new disasters and improving disaster-response systems for better response to future disasters.
Position Outcomes
Disaster survivors will know what resources are available to assist with their recovery and where to access those resources. Also, communities, to include FEMA and its state and nonprofit partners, will be better prepared for the next disaster.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
NCCC provides travel to and from the campus at the beginning and end of the term, and all program-related travel during the term. No personal vehicle required.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Teamwork, flexibility, work ethic, dependability, operating in a diverse environment, conflict resolution, public speaking, project management, time management, event coordination, Microsoft Office, office etiquette and professionalism, data management and analysis, independent livings skills (food preparation, laundry, shopping, etc.), living/serving in a post-disaster environment, privacy and client confidentiality, networking, personal and work place safety.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment