National Service Teams Activated for Hurricane Isaac Response

More than 1000 Members and Volunteers on Standby to Deploy

Washington D.C. – As Hurricane Isaac continues moving through the Gulf Coast, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps teams are responding in four Gulf Coast states, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced today.

CNCS is working in close coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Red Cross, and state and local authorities. CNCS is a part of a local, state and nationally coordinated effort and has activated national service participants, at the request of local communities for deployment to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Agency officials join FEMA in encouraging all those living in Isaac's path to finalize preparations for severe weather, monitor news and weather reports, and closely follow the instructions of state and local officials.

"Hurricane Isaac is a dangerous storm, and anyone living in its path has to take precautions now,” said Kelly DeGraff, Director of Disaster Services for CNCS. “If you aren't sure what to do, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for steps you can take to better protect yourself and your family.”

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been deployed to the following locations:

• 58 AmeriCorps members serving with American Red Cross chapters across the country have deployed to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Their duties include sheltering, mass care, and emergency response vehicle operations.
• 73 AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members are operating shelters and assisting with 2-1-1 call centers in Jackson, Miss. as well as Baton Rouge, Madisonville, Shreveport, and Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana.
• More than 60 RSVP volunteers are supporting evacuations, call centers, and efforts to assist disabled seniors in Hancock County, Miss. and St. Charles Parish, La.

Approximately 1,000 additional AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members are on standby and ready to deploy as needed.

CNCS, a federal agency, provides strong support, expertise, and trained and dedicated volunteers to help communities to prepare for, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural and man-made disasters. From forest fires and floods, to hurricanes and tornadoes, to terror attacks and oil spills, participants in CNCS programs have provided critical support to millions of Americans affected by disasters since 1994. Reflecting the agency's growing expertise and commitment in disaster services, CNCS has made disaster services a priority in the agency's 2011-2015 strategic plan. For more information on disaster response and recovery by national service, visit the Disaster Services Unit.

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