Memorizing the Mission

Today we were instructed to memorize the Americorps NCCC and FEMA Corps mission statements so when we’re out in the field we can explain our role and purpose.  Hard to believe that a little over 2 weeks ago I hardly knew a thing about Americorps.  I was first introduced to the idea of Americorps sometime back in June or July.  I went out for margaritas with my friends Mishel and Jenny and was bemoaning the fact that I was having trouble finding a new career path.  I knew I wanted to explore my interest in community service but I found myself in competition for jobs with people who had MSWs or years of experience.  Jenny piped up and told me about a customer of hers that worked for Americorps and suggested I check it out.  The next day I went on-line and read about the new FEMA Corps program and started working on the application the following week.  The rest is history.

For those of you who don’t know, President Clinton started the AmeriCorps program with the goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community."  It’s often compared to the Peace Corps as its domestic counterpart.  There are 3 separate programs under Americorps: (1) Americorps National Civilian Community Corps or NCCC, (2) Americorps VISTA and (3) Americorps National and State program.  My program, Americorps NCCC, is modeled after the Depression era Civilian Conservation Corps and a mission “to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.”

Although they call the training we’ve had over the past 2 weeks leadership training, I’m of the belief that it’s really training on how to be a good human being and that every U.S. citizen should be required to take it.  Shouldn’t everyone learn about “active listening” and how to properly discipline a child?  I know it isn’t rocket science but I’m not sure I know many people in this world with these basic skills (including myself).  Perhaps my parents tried to teach me this stuff when I was younger but I wasn’t inclined to listen.  I just wish it didn’t take until my 40s to learn it.  Better late than never, right?

A is for Asthma

In preparation for my FEMA Corps experience I did quite a bit of thinking ahead to prepare myself for the unexpected.  How would I handle living in dorms again with people half my age?  How would I handle a 24/7 job?  How would I handle conflict in this setting?  How would I refill my prescriptions if I’m in the middle of a disaster?  What I didn’t ask was how to prepare myself for an asthma attack.  Up until now, I’ve never had asthma and I never planned on getting it.

So there’s several theories I have for why at the age of 44 I am getting asthma attacks for the first time.  I’m not going to bother to get into any of them but they range from a variety of conspiracy theories to the simple fact that Sacramento has the honor of being rated the worst city for allergies in the United States.  Not something advertised by the Chamber of Commerce I imagine.

Now that I have an inhaler and a full night of sleep last night I’m doing much better.   I’m also getting used to my new life and environment…having a roommate, sharing a bathroom with 3 other people, and sharing a kitchen with 23 other people.  For someone that likes her independence, it can get quite challenging.  Lucky for me I wake up early in the morning to miss the kitchen rush and find other opportunities to zone out.

I’m also sitting thru hours of training on leadership, communication, policies, conflict management, and supervision.  Although the training topics aren’t really new for me, I’m learning and growing in ways that I never imagined.  For the first time in my life, people that are committed to a common purpose and driven to be their best surround me.  May sound cheesy but true.  No doubt about it that the group of team leaders I met only 10 days ago are amazing.

Day 2 Details

Got our uniforms today and we were required to wear them immediately.  Issued t-shirts, khaki pants, khaki shorts, black pants, black belt, hard hat, safety glasses, sweatshirt and raincoat.  All with the Americorps NCCC logo.  Nice and comfy but not particular attractive.  The shorts are long enough to be giant capris and the crotch on the khakis goes down to my knees!

Also got drug tested, TB test, and tetanus shot.  Hoping the second-hand smoke from weed won’t show up on my drug test.  Many were out and about smoking in public after it was legalized in Seattle in November…outside the shopping mall, at the bus stop, or outside a bar.

All set up in my new dorm room as well.  My roommate, Colleen, is from South Carolina and recently got back from Peace Corps in Malawi.  Feels like a good fit.  We’re both quiet, respectful and independent. 

There are a total of 26 team leaders in the FEMA Corps training and they have placed us all on the 3^rd floor of the dorm.  Most are under 30 but a few of us are older.  We spent most of today getting to know each other.  We all have a wide variety of backgrounds and come from different parts of the country…but the one thing we seem to have in common is an interest in emergency response and community service.

Time to chill out for the evening.  We start physical training tomorrow at 6 am.  We start with a baseline test and count # of pushups and situps in a 2 minute period and get timed for a 1.5 mile run.  Brings back scary memories of the Presidential Physical Fitness Tests in elementary school.

Baggage!!!!! (not the personal kind)

So the big challenge I have today is that I can only bring what can fit in the duffle bag that FEMA Corps has provided to me.  Initially I didn’t think it was a big deal since we are required to wear a uniform.  I pretty much wear the same pair of jeans and t-shirt everyday.  But when faced with the knowledge that I will be wearing the same clothes for the next 10 months it gets more daunting.  Obviously we will have the opportunity to shop.  But sometimes common sense doesn’t kick in for me in these matters.  I go into hoarding mode.  I think about the fact that I have a secret weapon.  My car.  Whatever can’t fit into the duffle bag I’ll put in the car.  So obviously I can load ‘er up with anything I want…sleeping bag, pillow, hangars, q-tips.  But when it comes down to it, there are really only 3 things I can’t live without for the next 10 months—my pillow, my rainbow unicorn hat, and my head massager.  Kind of says a lot about me.  I like my comfort (ie., self-care) and I like to make people laugh.  Who can’t help but laugh at a 44-year old woman wearing a hat with a unicorn on it?

Honestly, I love the idea of paring down to the bare minimum.  I’ve always been a minimalist and now I have an excuse.  Thank you FEMA Corps!

T Minus 2

Only 2 more days until I start working as a Team Leader for FEMA Corps a new program under Americorps.  The program kicked off in August 2012 and is a residential national service program for adults between the ages of 18 and 24 that are interested in a career in emergency management.  I know exactly what you’re thinking...isn't Susan is a bit older than 24???  Lucky for me, there isn’t an age limit for team leaders only the crew. 

So what exactly have I signed up for?  The next 10 months I will receive training and experience in responding to natural disasters.  For the 1^st month I’ll get training with 25 other team leaders in Sacramento, CA.  The 2nd month is more of the same but with our crew members.

Most challenging part will be waking up at the crack ass of dawn.  5:30 AM???  For those you who know anything about me I LOVE to sleep.  The more the better.  Kind of worried but I like the idea of becoming a morning person.

Below is a sample day during the team leader training:

5:25 AM                     Assemble

5:30 – 6:30 AM            Physical Training

6:30 – 7:45 AM            Shower, breakfast, prepare for day’s activities

7:45 – 8:00 AM            Team Muster

8:00 – 12 noon            Morning Training (classes, workshops, team activities)

12:00 – 12:45 PM         Lunch

12:45 -- ?                   Afternoon Training

5:00 – 6:30 PM            Dinner

6:30 – 9:00 PM            Evening Training/Team Leader Prep Time

From the looks of it, it comes close to boot camp without the fatigues.  At first glance, I question what the hell I’m doing but I’m hoping I’ll appreciate some structure in my life...especially after lacking it for the past 2 years.   Soon enough I’ll let you know how it goes.

FEMA Corps Link