[TNham] CERT Activation for FL

[Kenny Breeding]

(Be sure to read bottom note- Kenny AI4DV)

-----Original Message-----
From: James DOCKERY [mailto:jrd07436 at msn.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 8:30 AM
To: certcomms
Subject: [certcomms] CERT Activation for FL

The following is from the CERT List. REPLY TO JIM REIDER AT THE CONTACT
INFORMATION BELOW:

THIS IS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH CERT TRAINING--FEMA REGION V
IS ACTIVATING PEOPLE TO GO TO FLORIDA--IT IS A PAID FEMA POSITION.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, YOU MUST CONTACT ME DIRECT SO I CAN VERIFY
YOUR CERT TRAINING AND PUT TOGETHER THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR
FEMA.

YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT 402-884-1094 OR 402-960-1299.

THANKS...
JIM REIDER, CO-COORDINATOR, METRO OMAHA CERT

Citizen Corps and Hurricane Frances
As you are aware, the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA is
responding to its second major hurricane to hit Florida in the past
several weeks, and we need your help. Hurricane Frances is
approximately 2 and a half times the size of Hurricane Charley. It
is expected to hit Florida and, potentially other states, resulting
in devastating damages. FEMA Response and Recovery operations are a
top priority of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA is asking
us to contact and tap our State and local Citizen Corps Councils, our
affiliates and program partners to find volunteers who could serve as
Hurricane Frances Community Relations Officers.

You are being requested to immediately seek individuals among your
State and Local Citizen Corps Councils for a two-week minimum field
assignment as a Community Relations Field Officer. WE NEED 1000
COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS WITHIN 48 HOURS BEGINNING NOW (SEPT.
4th) FOR A TOTAL OF 2000 WITHIN 7 DAYS.

Requirements for individuals:
* Must be sponsored by your State or Local Citizen Corps Council.
* Must be a United States Citizen with no prior felony convictions
and the ability to successfully complete a government background
check.
* Must be at least 18 years of age.
* Must be physically able to work in a disaster area without
refrigeration for medications and have the ability to work in the
outdoors all day.
* Must be willing to work long hours under arduous conditions
(e.g., individuals may reside in an emergency worker tent city rather
than a hotel during their assignment.)
* Workers may be exposed to mold, high heat and humidity and
insects.
* Must be willing to work in vicinity of disaster debris, damaged
facilities and related adverse conditions.
* This assignment is temporary and is a paid assignment.
* Must not self-deploy. Individuals who self-deploy will not be
reimbursed.
Role of Community Relations Officer:
* Establish and maintain positive working relationships with
disaster affected communities and the citizens of those communities
* Collect and disseminate information and make referrals for
appropriate assistance
* Identification of potential issues within the community and
reporting to appropriate persons
* Convey a positive image of disaster operations to government
officials, community organizations and the general public
* Perform outreach with community leaders on available Federal
disaster assistance
Role of State or Local Citizen Corps Council:
* Recruit qualified individuals from existing Citizen Corps
volunteer rolls. (e.g. CERT, VIPS, MRCs, other local Citizen Corps
groups)
* Provide names of qualified volunteers to the FEMA Region 5 ROC

Upon arrival at the Mobilization Center in Atlanta, GA, the recruit
will:
* Be sworn in as a Federal employee.
* Be given training on Community Relations in Atlanta, GA before
you are deployed to the field.
* Receive training on deployment procedures and requirements.
* Be compensated for the period of employment as a level C-1
reservist ($18.88 per hour)
* Receive per diem at the local rate.
* Airfare and/or other transportation to Atlanta, GA will be by
invitational travel (paid by FEMA)
* Note: individual must save all travel related receipts
for "vouchering"
* Be issued a FEMA badge.
* Be issued a temporary government travel credit card. (You are
expected to use this card for all travel related expenses such as
airfare, lodging, meals, gas, etc. and to pay all bills after
reimbursement.)
Procedures:
* State and Local POC's will compile a list of available
individuals using the Volunteer Activation Form (available through
Region V ROC).
* The POC will forward the completed Volunteer Activation Form to
the FEMA Region V ROC for review and approval via FAX or by email.
* An acceptance package with specific instructions will then be
forwarded to the POC for distribution to each individual approved for
deployment.

73s de Kenny AI4DV