TOPICS
TOPICS
FEMA seeks 2,000 Homeland Security volunteers for disaster assistance
Michael Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has asked for 2,000 Homeland Security Department employees to volunteer for two weeks working in the areas struck by Hurricane Katrina.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Brown wrote that 1,000 people are needed from the department within the next 48 hours and an additional 1,000 within the next week, the Associated Press reported.
Those that volunteer are being told that the work hours will be long and outdoors.
The employees will be trained at Emmitsburg, Md., Atlanta or Orlando, Fla. Workers who are bilingual or have commercial driver's licenses are especially needed.
The volunteers will be asked to bring sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, walking shoes, legitimate driver's licenses, over-the-counter and prescription medicines, government cell phones, computers, BlackBerrys, appropriate clothing such as walking shorts and rain equipment.
Since ATMs may not be working in the disaster areas, Brown also encouraged volunteers to bring cash.
COMMENTS
- I have no idea if this is the proper to apply for volunteer work for Homeland Security.If not, please point me into the right direction. I am interested in volunteer work. Harold Irving Posted May 12, 2009 11:36 AM
- Folks I've talked to who returned from duty in New Orleans describe confusion and too many people stepping on and running into each other. ICE has sent out the call for more volunteers...to do what? This operation is nothing more than a public relations recovery effort for the Twig administration and Chertoff....... GovExec.com reader Posted September 15, 2005 8:31 AM
- I just saw photos of DEA agents engaging in rescue work in New Orleans. Very commendable, but how is that the work of drug enforcement agents? Have we already solved the narcotics problem? The same applies to other agencies who have rushed to the disaster area. Disaster rescue and recovery is very demanding and difficult, and should be handled by professionals. Well-meaning volunteers have a place, but must be under the supervision of those who have the training and experience for this kind of work. Can the IRS be far behind? GovExec.com reader Posted September 9, 2005 3:16 PM
GovExec Live!
The Bush administration recently proposed legislation that would create sunset and results commissions to evaluate federal programs periodically. The move is part of the administration's broader effort to eliminate inefficient or redundant programs and-more generally-to integrate performance information and budget decisions.
At noon EST on Wed., Sept. 7 GovExec.com reporter Amelia Gruber will answer your questions about performance-based budgeting, the Program Assessment Rating Tool and the administration's legislative proposals. You can submit your questions early or during the live online discussion.
