GET TO
SATURDAY, MAY
4, 2013
THE POINT THE
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME
OF THE
NCCC
XIX, ISSUE
8
ATLANTIC REGION
The Long & Fiery Road The Uncertainty, Excitement & Challenge of A Prescribed Fire
Alumni Spotlight
Team Leader Spotlight
Photo Gallery
Jennifer Schadd, Corps Member Class XVIII, Southwest Region
What does a Support Team Leader Actually Do?
Class XIX Serves with Mayors of Baltimore & San Francisco
MEMBER STATEMENT I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps Program. N-Triple-C members are 18 to 24 and spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment. To learn more or apply, visit AmeriCorps.gov/NCCC or call 1.800.942.2677
IN THIS
ISSUE 3 Gallery Class XIX serves alongside mayors of
CONTACT THE ATLANTIC REGION COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE
Baltimore & San Francisco
Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist (CRS) Phone: 202.528.3755 ● Email: smckenzie@cns.gov
5 Bulletin Board
Mona Hillstrand, Assistant Community Relations Specialist (ACRS) Phone: 202.815.4259 ● Email: rhillstrand@cns.gov
6 Feature
Vehicle Safety Tips & ISP Updates
The Long & Fiery Road A member of Phoenix 1 recounts the
Ben Dillon, Community Relations Support Team Leader (CRSTL) Phone: 443.995.7940 ● Email: bedillon.guest@cns.gov Get to the Point is a weekly newsletter edited and designed by Ben Dillon, CRSTL
challenge and excitement of the team’s big burn in Warm Springs, Va. 8 Alumni Spotlight Jennifer Schadd, Corps Member
Facebook.com/NCCCAtlanticRegion
Southwest Region, Class XIX 10 AmeriStars Get to know three Class XIX members
↑
Top-Left: Raven 3 member Ian Slingsby (left) decorates a Tyvek suit
11 Team Green
with expectations for the coming project deployment at a Class XIX
What does a Support Team Leader
community meeting while his Team Leader Rebeckah Moran
actually do?
(center) and teammate Max Limeberger (right) look on. Top-Right: Alex Slater of Buffalo 1 was the winner of the Tyvek fashion show. ← Cover: Phoenix 1 member Natalie Hillmann recounts the team’s emotions when embarking on their first big prescribed fire. Page 6
12 Round 2 Team Project Map
GALLERY
Bet Begets Baltimore Beautification A Super Bowl wager between the mayors of Baltimore and San Francisco resulted in a day of service for Class XIX members and other area volunteers. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore and Mayor Edwin Lee of San Francisco served alongside more than 100 Atlantic Region Corps Members, Team Leaders, and staff members to beautify a neighborhood park, a community garden, and a Police Station in Baltimore on Friday, April 26. While addressing the Corps at the event, Mayor Rawlings-Blake commended members on their dedication to service and lauded that AmeriCorps is like a Swiss army knife: dependable, resourceful, and always ready to work when most needed.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 4, 2013
3
GALLERY
← Previous Page: Buffalo 1 member Sierra Taylor works alongside NCCC Director Kate Raftery (top-left) at Franklin Square’s Sunflower Village in Baltimore. Also pictured: Atlantic Region Corps Members, Team Leaders, and staff members beautify two other Baltimore sites. ↑
4
More than 100 Corps Members and Team Leaders converged on the community garden across from Harlem Park Elementary School in Baltimore. The Corps worked with the Parks & People Foundation to install raised garden beds, remove weeds, and paint fencing.
MAY 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
BULLETIN BOARD
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams
Community Relations Support Team Leader “DJ Benny Ben” Dillon enjoys a newly discovered hula hoop while working with the Buffalo 4 team in Moonachie, N.J.
d 2, the One week into Roun ahead of d he inc s ha Buffalo Unit than one re mo h wit the Raven Unit Independent third of the required mpleted. co Service Hours ISP Hours Complete Buffalo: 35% Raven: 34% Moose: 29%
Vehicle Safety Tip Avoid idling. You will surely
boost up the lifeline of your
dear van if you do this. When you keep your van in idle for long periods, oil is not equally distributed to certain
Raven Unit Support Team Leader Stephanie Ferguson, center, with her all-sawyer composite team Peter Pan 1
parts of the engine.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 4, 2013
5
FEATURE
The Long & Fiery Road by Natalie Hillmann, Phoenix 1
“I pushed myself to somewhere new, which is one of the reasons I wanted to be a Phoenix.”
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MAY 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
“Go pack,” Steve says, and a wave of excitement runs through the team as we practically fly back to the trucks to return to our housing. The excitement of a possible road trip sends the team whirling. Suddenly we work together seamlessly, getting the trucks, housing and ourselves ready to leave for up to a week. There is a buzz of excess energy in the air. Everything comes to a halt at 11 o’clock. We’re all packed up and ready to make the four-and-half hour journey to Warm Springs, Va. That’s when we remember that it won’t be another two hours until we find out if we’re actually going. Fire is funny like that. We slink back into our chairs, trying not to get too excited just in case it doesn’t happen. It’s a rare moment of the round when the team actually has energy and nothing to do. All dressed up and ready to wait. Half of us fall asleep sitting up while the other half plays games. We finally get the call and, in another wave of energy, I am almost forgotten. Bridget bursts into our room to give me the news. I run out to the truck with my boots unlaced
FEATURE and we’re on the move. For a multitude of reasons we have an exorbitant amount of our food budget left over, so we’re living the good life when we stop to buy lunch supplies— protein bars for everyone. Hours of driving later, we make our stop for dinner, a buffet. (With firefighters, Steve says, it’s always good to have a buffet.) After promising Steve not to tell Dernard about the roads we’re about to take the trucks on, we leave for the last leg of the journey. At first, the roads don’t seem as bad as we imagined. However, as we wind our way up the mountainside, we discover what Steve was warning us about. The two paved lanes turn into a bumpy dirt road and, as I peer over the edge, I thank God that Owen is the one driving the truck I’m in. When we get to Trapper’s Lodge, it’s exact-
wake up call. Before my alarm has a chance to go off, I’m already up, packing my gear and making my way to the peanut butter and jelly factory that has started on one of the adjacent picnic tables. We have an hour drive down the mountain to our burn location. When we arrive, one of the crew bosses comes over and welcomes us. He points to the mountain along the horizon and says, “See that? That’s what we’re burning today.” The enormity of it sinks in. Five hundred acres. This is, by far, the largest burn we’ve ever been a part of. After briefing, with our packs full of snacks and water and tools in hand, we begin the steep journey up the mountain. The next hour was one of the most physically challenging in my life. Think of the pack test as a relaxing warm up to burning in the
ly what we had all imagined coming into this round: a lot of men in the woods, wearing flannel and headlamps, playing cards and shooting the breeze. We are given a warning as we unroll our sleeping bags: if we fall asleep with peanut butter on our lips, we’ll wake up with no lips. Most of us bunk up on the porch, and because there isn’t a lot of room, I get the brilliant idea to sleep on a picnic table. I toss a turn in a calculated fashion as I try not to fall off said picnic table and wait for my 5:15 a.m.
mountains. I was reminding myself about every five minutes that I asked for a challenge. Pushing myself to keep moving as I’m getting acclimated to the altitude, I barely glance at what’s ahead. Oh, did I mention it’s already 80 degrees? When I finally get to Drop Point 10, Owen doesn’t even look winded. It doesn’t bother me, though. The fact that it was difficult means I pushed myself to somewhere new, which is one of the reasons I wanted to be a Phoenix.
↓ Phoenix 1 firefighter Natalie Hillmann uses a drip torch to ignite the prescribed fire at Cobbler Mountain while her teammates follow behind to monitor the fire’s activity and prevent any spotting. Owen Wolfe and Chris May (at right) use water to suppress a spot fire at the Jarman Gap prescribed burn in Shenandoah National Park.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 4, 2013
7
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
JENNIFER SCHADD SOUTHWEST REGION CLASS XVIII INTERVIEW BY RAVEN 5 Why did you join NCCC? I had just graduated from college with a degree in English and History and suddenly faced the “humanities conundrum,” what am I going to do with my life?! Looking to learn more about myself and find a life direction, I sought out opportunities that would allow me to travel and simultaneously provide something to my community. I looked into the Peace Corps but made the decision that I wasn’t comfortable with leaving my home for a time period as long as 27 months, so when I stumbled upon NCCC I found the program to be the perfect fit! What skills did you gain? Taking an efficient coinoperated shower in 8 minutes or less followed by a frenzied postshower walk/gallop/hop through the snow to the waiting van.
Successfully feeding a bison herd.
Firefighter Recruit (S-130), Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Incident Command System, Fire Chainsaw (S-212). I learned how to build fire line, clean and use a chainsaw, and haul and chip
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MAY 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
brush. I also learned the value of a lunchtime power nap and constant hydration! Installation of vinyl AND clapboard siding—even in rain, snow, and sleet—though I don’t recommend it. How to change a tire!
How to successfully pack 10 books in my red bag but manage to forget my coveralls and rain gear.
How to pitch a Girl Scout tent.
How to get eight people and all of their gear into the van in less than 10 minutes at the end of a work day. How to explain AmeriCorps NCCC in 60 seconds or less.
What was your favorite experience in the Corps? My team spent our second round in Joplin, Mo. working with Rebuild Joplin on various disaster recovery projects. We had the opportunity to help rescue medical supplies from a local hospital that had been de-
stroyed during the tornado. The entire building had been lifted up off of its foundation more than 6 months prior, and had only recently been certified as safe to enter. Everything inside lay mostly untouched since the day of the storm. It was quite eerie to see the juxtaposition between a wall of shattered glass windows dripping with rain and splattered with dirt and a nearby untouched storage closet with all the items clean and intact. My team (Earth 4) along with another NCCC team (Sun 6) and a few local com-
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT munity leaders spent an exhausting day removing salvable medical supplies, furniture, and office supplies from the building. The hospital was without power and my fellow Corps Members and I used head lamps to navigate our way though the many floors of damages. The experience was surreal, and feels that way even now. I am proud that we were able to rescue millions of dollars worth of sterile supplies that were sent to be used abroad. It was one of my most physically and emotionally exhausting days as a corps member, but also one of the most meaningful. What was your most exciting round with your team? My team’s first-round project was working with Denver Mountain Parks in Morrison, Colo. Our main project was to help restore one of the last remaining Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps created after the Great Depression to put unemployed men back to work. This program is actually a distant relation to NCCC! I really enjoyed working with the park system and having the opportunity to work at multiple outdoor “sites.” We “got things done” everywhere from Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Buffalo Bill’s Grave. As a special treat, we were given the chance to clean litter out of the, now locked, caves at Red Rocks. It was an ideal project in my opinion, to spend every day outdoors, and that didn’t stop at the end of the work day. My team enjoyed group hikes for PT every day and got to see beautiful scenery and
verse experiences that I had in NCCC that made my resume stand out. Not only did my projects provide the extra “wow factor” that my supervisor was looking for, but they provided me with endless stories to tell during the interview. I plan to complete another year with AmeriCorps VISTA after which I will apply for graduate school for programs in Higher Education Administration. I am so grateful to AmeriCorps for giving my amazing learning opportunities and introducing me to wonderful friends with shared value of community service.
friendly critters. I loved the park system, the men we worked with, and couldn’t have asked for a better first project! How did your time as a Corps Member impact your life? After my year in NCCC, I had come a little closer to identifying a few professional goals. My interests pointed me towards Higher Education and I began to look for a way to connect this field with civic engagement. Along came an AmeriCorps VISTA position that fit like a glove. I applied for and was hired as the AmeriCorps VISTA in the Office of Service-Learning at Gannon University in Erie, Pa. where I am currently finishing my year of service. The position is part of a collaborative project called Lake Effect Leaders which is made up of four colleges and 12 non-profit organizations in the region. It was the di-
Can you give Class XIX some advice for the service year? This year will be one of the most difficult of your life, but also one of the most rewarding. I had moments throughout the experience when I began to doubt myself, feel worn down, or question the entire program. Despite these moments of doubt, I stuck with it. I am so glad that I did. They say that hindsight is 20/20 and I still am trying to comprehend just how much those 10 months of service changed me. In your moments of doubt (you will have them), try to remind yourself (and your team) just how strong you are!
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 4, 2013
9
AMERISTARS
MARIAH ‘VALENTINE’ HOKE STONE MOUNTAIN, GA • BUFFALO 4 What are you going to do after AmeriCorps? I am going to join the Marines. Hoooaah! What fictional character do you relate to most? Naruto. Even when people doubt him and misjudge him, he still fights and defends them. What is your biggest fear? Falling off a bunk bed.
LIZ GRIFFIN RANCHO CORDOVA, CA • MOOSE 4 What is one thing you want? I want to travel to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Tell us a secret about yourself. I love playing Bingo! I usually play every Friday with my best friend. What is something you will never forget? I will never forget my best friends and memories back in FEMA Corps. But in traditional Corps, I will never forget how blessed I am to have such an amazing, caring team!
IAN SLINGSBY SEATTLE, WA • RAVEN 3 If you could travel anywhere for free, where would you go? I would go to the first planet other than Earth that could sustain life. If I had to stay on Earth, though, I would start my adventure in Greece, due to my fascination with it. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why? I would want the power of teleportation, so I could be anywhere at any time. What is something you will never forget? I will never forget my mistakes for they have made me who I am.
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MAY 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
TEAM GREEN
What Does A Support Team Leader Do?
EMILY TIFFANY MOOSE UNIT SUPPORT TEAM LEADER
Amidst many discussion items in meetings with the Region Director over Round 2 transition, Community Council Representatives expressed the Corps’ general bewilderment about one thing: What does a Support Team Leader actually do at the Perry Point campus? The answer: A lot of things. To diffuse some of the mystery, the next few issues of Get to the Point will feature profiles on Support Team Leaders that explain how and why they do what they do.
What are your additional responsibilities as the Moose Unit STL? I assist with the training, preparation and deployment of Phoenix firefighter teams and all sawyers in the Corps. For every Moose and Phoenix team, I ensure that all documentation is received, act as a liaison between staff members and the Corps, assist with travel logistics,
General Duties of all Support Team Leaders (STLs):
disseminate information to FTLs, and carry out various other tasks as
Lead a team in the field for at least 3 weeks and
assigned by the Moose Unit Leader (Jason).
up to the remainder of the year. Leadership of a team could be related to assuming the duties of a Field Team Leader (FTL). STLs may be tasked to replace or substitute for an existing FTL or lead a Composite Team formed to serve a special project or respond to disaster services activities. If they are not tasked with one of the above, they will lead a team on a regularly scheduled project.
Assist in the deployment of teams and/or individual members to/from spike locations, including driving support vehicles.
Facilitate communication with teams by sorting
What is a typical day like for you? As any STL would say, there is no “typical day.” Although we hold regular office hours between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., I am on-call 24/7, just as any FTL. I might catch up on office work in the morning, shuttle Corps Members in the afternoon, go grocery shopping in the evening, and answer questions for FTLs via text all the while. Why did you want to be an STL? I would like to work as a firefighter after AmeriCorps. Serving as the Phoenix STL allows me to continue gaining firefighting experience throughout the year, which is something I couldn’t do as a FTL. I also built good rapport with Jason as a Phoenix composite TL last year.
Corps mail and distributing campus information
Why are STLs important?
such as campus newsletters.
Staff members can’t do everything. FTLs
Assist teams in coordinating and carrying out logistical support for their service in the field.
In conjunction with other STLs, run a Sick Call shuttle to assist campus-based Corps Members (CMs) to obtain medical care.
Attend team briefings and debriefings as schedules permit.
Attend campus meetings and serve on committees as appropriate.
often have small questions or concerns that we can address, and we can work during odd hours of the day, unlike staff members. We also provide peer support to the FTLs in a way that staff may not be able to. What is your favorite part your position? Seeing the excitement of new firefighters and possibly getting to work on a prescribed fire alongside them.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 4, 2013
11
Where in the Atlantic Region Are They?
Round 2, Week 1
For Round 2, Class XIX teams are slated to complete 21 projects across 10 states. Seven teams will continue hurricane recovery efforts in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Five teams will focus on environmental stewardship in recreational camps and conservation areas in five different states. Four teams NEW YORK will help better develop low -income urban communities through housing and facilities improvements. Lastly, one team will improve energy PENNSYLVANIA efficiency of homes and another will improve facilities for youth NEW programs. MARYLAND JERSEY
MAINE
VERMONT
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MASSACHUSETTS CONN.
R.I.
D.C.
WEST VIRGINIA
DELAWARE
VIRGINIA
MOOSE 4
RAVEN 1
Claryville, N.Y. Frost Valley YMCA Environmental Stewardship
Middletown, De. Boys & Girls Club of Delaware Infrastructure Improvement
MOOSE 5
RAVEN 2
Brattleboro, Vt. SerVermont Disaster Recovery
Edgartown, Mass. The Farm Institute Environmental Stewardship
BUFFALO 1
MOOSE 1
PATRIOT 1
RAVEN 3
Bath, Me. Habitat for Humanity – 7 Rivers Energy Efficiency
New York, N.Y. St. Bernard Project Disaster Recovery
Braintree, Mass. Cardinal Cushing Centers Urban & Rural Development
Pittsburgh, Pa. Rebuilding Together – Pittsburgh Urban & Rural Development
BUFFALO 3
MOOSE 2
PETER PAN 1
RAVEN 4
Wells, Me. Wells NERR Environmental Stewardship
Edgartown, Mass. MA Audubon Society – Felix Neck Environmental Stewardship
Galway, N.Y. Girl Scouts of Northeastern N.Y. Environmental Stewardship
Tabernacle, N.J. Jersey Cares Disaster Recovery
BUFFALO 4
MOOSE 3
PHOENIX 2
RAVEN 5
Hackensack, N.J. Volunteer Center of Bergen County Disaster Recovery
York, Pa. Habitat for Humanity – York Urban & Rural Development
Suffolk, Va. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Disaster Response
New York, N.Y. New York Cares Disaster Recovery