FEMA Corps members help with wildfire mitigation

Denver, CO residents tend to think wildfire isn’t a risk they have to think about in their urban core, but the city is surrounded by parks and open space that's part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Mountain Division.  With 14,000 acres of recreational space located in areas at high risk and in close proximity to residential communities, the city is working to mitigate the hazard and create awareness. 

As part of FEMA’s nationwide community based America’s Preparathon (April 30) – a team of volunteers helped the Denver Mountain Parks forester clear brush. 

A group from FEMA Corps, a 1,600 member service corps that’s part of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) participated in the project.  Members are part of a division within AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) focusing on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery activities.

FEMA Corps members serve a 10-month term, with an option to apply for a second 10-month term of service. NCCC- FEMA Corps is a full-time, team-based, residential service program for men and women, between the ages of 18 to 24, operated in the same campus structure as AmeriCorps NCCC. FEMA Corps members are assigned to one of five NCCC campuses, located in Denver, CO; Sacramento, CA; Perry Point, MD; Vicksburg, MS; and Vinton, IA. FEMA Corps members receive a living allowance of approximately $4,000 for the 10 months of service (about $200 every two weeks before taxes), housing, meals, limited medical benefits, up to $400 a month for childcare, if necessary, member uniforms, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

FEMA Corps members are national service participants and will provide support in areas ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovery centers to sharing valuable disaster readiness and mitigation information with the public.

As we approach Wildfire Community Preparedness Day this Saturday, May 3, we send our thanks to youth everywhere helping to reduce the nation's wildfire risk!

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