The AmeriCorps National Preparedness and Response Corps (NPRC) has played a fundamental role with the American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter in Cedar Rapids, IA to ensure that vital services are provided and thousands of lives are saved from potential disasters.  During the last three years, NPRC members have coordinated the Battery-Up Program with area fire departments in Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties.  This life saving program has helped to install and/or replace 7,683 smoke detectors and batteries in low-income and elderly homes. It is stated that having at least one working smoke detector in the home increases survival rate by 50%; therefore this emphasizes how important it is to have a working smoke detectors in one’s home.  One area participant recently provided the following feedback, “The cooperation between two or more local community services as the “Battery-Up Program” provides makes me feel really good about the agencies and their total program.  This service for the elderly is a life saver for many of us.”  Due to their tremendous efforts and the success of Battery-Up, this program has been proposed to be a state-wide model to help save lives from house and apartment fires.  

As part of disaster preparedness efforts, AmeriCorps members have educated 18,338 Eastern Iowans in 923 presentations with over 250 area schools in the Community Disaster Education presentations on disasters and health issues.  These efforts help arm Eastern Iowans with the knowledge to prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, ultimately saving lives.  AmeriCorps NPRC members have also trained over 200 AmeriCorps NCCC members in disaster response classes so that these members can assist on large-scale disaster operation.  AmeriCorps members not only help prepare the public from disasters, but also assist the Red Cross in disaster preparedness.  AmeriCorps members have helped coordinate 273 shelter agreements in the nine county service area, helping to partner with local companies and organizations to provide room for 42,468 people in post-evacuation shelters.  As part of the AmeriCorps NPRC program, members also dedicate their service to aiding in local and national disasters, leaving their families, homes, and other commitments to assist those in need whenever and wherever that may be.  These dedicated members have assisted hundreds of disaster clients, providing not only Red Cross assistance, but hope for rehabilitation.  This amazing opportunity to have AmeriCorps NPRC members has proved to be a vital and essential resource in preventing, preparing, and responding to disasters and saving lives.