Briefing: National Service and Natural Disasters

An Update on How AmeriCorps and Senior Corps are Supporting Recovery Efforts after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria

Hosted by Voices for National Service, Service Year Alliance and The Corps Network

Tuesday, October 24, 2017
1:30PM – 3:00PM
2456 Rayburn House Office Building

Opening Remarks from Rep. David Price and Rep. Doris Matsui,
Co-Chairs of the National Service Congressional Caucus

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members are at the heart of relief and recovery efforts in local communities affected by natural disasters. Through these cost-effective national service programs, the Corporation for National and Community Service provides critical boots on the ground to support immediate and long-term assistance, including emergency food and shelter operations, debris removal, volunteer and donation management, damage assessments and survivor assistance. In recent weeks, more than 2,200 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been deployed to support hurricane recovery efforts in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additional national service members have been supporting wildfire response throughout the West, and have been deployed to California in response to the recent deadly wildfires.

This briefing will provide an update on how national service members are supporting current disaster relief and recovery efforts across the county, and how the Corporation for National and Community Service is partnering with FEMA and other federal agencies to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

Speakers will include representatives from the Corporation for National and Community Service and two of the agency’s specialized AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams, SBP and the Washington Conservation Corps.

Watch the video recording of the briefing. Please note, due to technical difficulties, only part of the briefing was recorded.