GHS/OCD AmeriCorps Program Applications Open

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), working with the Serve Guam Commission which oversees AmeriCorps programs in Guam under the office of the Governor, is accepting applications to the AmeriCorps GHS/OCD program between now and July, 2019.

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Members must be at least 17 years of age, with a high school diploma or GED; there is no upper age limit. Upon completion of the program, members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award equal to the maximum Pell Grant amount.

If selected, members of AmeriCorps GHS/OCD will participate in the GHS/OCD community outreach program by promoting disaster preparedness for all-hazards at schools K-12, facilitate and assist in various volunteer, disaster service and training programs such as: First Aid, CPR AED, the Guam Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Program, GHS/OCD’s Guam Youth Preparedness Program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Teen CERT Programs, National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliant Courses, FEMA courses, Disability Integration and GHS/OCD’s disaster simulation and training exercises.

Interested applicants can apply online at http://serveguam.com/index.php/americorps/apply.or apply in person at the Commission office.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD AmeriCorps Executive Director Jaimie H. Cruz at (671) 688-0438 or via email at jaimie.cruz@ghs.guam.gov.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.