October, 2008 -- The second year of the South Alabama Americorps Emergency Response Team is off to a great start with 7 new members from all over the country. The new team has successfully finished it's pre-service training and has been oriented into the Disaster Services Department with the American Red Cross. The team is currently standing by for a deployment to one of the many disasters nationwide and is currently carrying out peace-time initiatives including disaster preparedness and community building in Mobile, AL.
Audrey McPherson's Reflection on her completion of the South Alabama AmeriCorps ERT's first year of service
A year ago at this time, I received a phone call asking me if I would like to travel the country assisting in disaster response. The more that was described to me, the more excited I became. I knew this was something I had to be a part of.Before I knew it, I was leaving Texas, and driving to Mobile, Alabama. Saying goodbye to my family and friends proved to be harder then I had imagined.It didn’t hit me until I was actually driving away, just how much I would miss them.
Along my drive to Alabama, I imagined what my teammates would be like, and tried to visualize what the year ahead of me held. I figured it would be hard, but I felt most positive the end result would make it all well worth it. As the first year of the South Alabama AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team began, so did many challenges. It took awhile for me to understand that this program was like a newborn baby, and had to be given time and patience.
Once the team began to be deployed, was when I started to understand the importance of ERT. Meeting people affected by disaster, and hearing from them how much we helped is a feeling I can’t put into words. I was blown away by how much the team could do. With the exception of our leaders none of us had done disaster relief before, but I must say that most would probably never have none that. From learning to chainsaw and fall trees, to debris clean up, to mucking out houses, to setting up Volunteer Reception Centers, and Long Term Recovery Committee’s, ERT did it and did it well.Sometimes I was asked to do things I felt I was not capable of doing, but I was fortunate enough to have a team I could turn to for help.
With some of our assignments and projects, were also disagreements. I realize now that it was only natural for us to argue, because we were a team of 10 strong minded individuals who all wanted to be the best we could be. No matter what issues we had, the SAAERT would come together to get our task or project done. At the end of the day I could always feel proud to be apart of this team.
The last 12 months proved to be more of a challenge then I had imagined, but I also see it as my greatest accomplishment thus far. While I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life, it is hard to leave the people who have surrounded me for the last year. In my time with AmeriCorps, I was given the chance to meet so many wonderful people, see my strengths and weaknesses, and find my path in life. I have memories and stories to tell for the rest of my life, experiences that many people will never know.
I would encourage anyone who has an opportunity, or curiosity to serve with AmeriCorps to do so. Earn money for college, while you meet great people, learn new things, and most importantly make a difference.
Getting things done in Clarksville, MO.
On the 19th of July, 2008 the South Alabama AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team (ERT) was deployed to aid in flood relief efforts throughout Missouri. During the duration of the deployment, the ERT assisted with many different types of services including demolition, assessments, and sandbag removal.They started in LewisCounty where they gutted and cleaned out two houses.The team also assisted other local authorities with assessing the unmet needs of individuals affected by the floods by supporting Long Term Recovery Committees and by trying to establish Volunteer Reception Centers in LewisCounty as well as Clark, Livingston, Linn, and GentryCounties.In the end, the ERT had assessed over 150 residential homes.The team was then reassigned to PikeCounty where they completed two days of sandbag removal in Clarksville.The team consists of eightVolunteer Mobile AmeriCorps members, as well as theProgram Director, ElWilliams and Program Assistant, Ethan Crowell.
The end of the first year of Volunteer Mobile's South Alabama AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team has come.With the sad ending for many first year members comes high hopes for a new beginning of another year.The new year will start with new members and new training.Pre-Service training includes three steps, first a group interview tests the groups' ability to work together in a team setting and come to a general consensus. The second step is Quest which is a 20-25 mile hike in a day and a half. Members can bring whatever they are able to carry.Tents are not needed as they are provided.The members are given a compass and map to find your way back to camp and to find water drop stations placed along the way.The final pre-service training is the Pack Test.Members are timed in a 3 mile walk with a 45 pound back pack that must be completed in 45 minutes.After these training scenarios are accomplished than you will officially be a member of Volunteer Mobile's South Alabama AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team! The team also has numerous other trainings.The team gets trained in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and Red Cross First Aid and CPR. They also receive training in Chainsaw operation and maintenance and installing tarps on roofs. As an ERT member you will also learn how to create and maintain a VRC (Volunteer Reception Center). During the first year our team has accomplished a wide variety of services.They have cleared a hiking trail, helped revitalize a school, installed 6 tarps on six different roofs, helped the Red Cross and Mobile County EMA perform 2 different mock disasters, completed Camp Shelby's Leadership Reaction Course, moved and delivered donated furniture to Katrina Victims and demoed a trailer.The team also does service projects in Mobile such as presenting Disaster Preparedness presentations to different groups and volunteering our services wherever possible.ERT has also responded and helped clean up the aftermath of the Irvington Tornado, Southwest Missouri Ice Storm, the Tennessee Tornado, Arkansas Floods and Tornado, and to the floods in Northern Missouri.With all the gratifying hard work comes unforgettable people and memories that will last a lifetime.
Want to learn more about AmeriCorps South Alabama Emergency Response Team? Contact El Williams, ERT Supervisor, by completing the form on the right.
Visit www.americorps.gov for more information on the many different programs available. Want to get started right away? Fill out the Americorps application!
