Linn County Public Health and Linn County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) are bringing on two AmeriCorps members to help promote disaster preparedness among older populations.

The Iowa Public Health AmeriCorps members will work with both agencies to promote the Disaster PrepWise program. Developed by researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, Disaster PrepWise is designed to prepare individuals and their households for emergency situations. Community members who utilize the Disaster PrepWise program will work with the AmeriCorps members to develop a personalized disaster management plan they can share with their family, friends, and neighbors. Linn County Public Health and Linn County EMA support the Disaster PrepWise program because it assists communities in raising resiliency by encouraging and facilitating preparedness among Linn County residents.

• Hannah DeVore is serving with Linn County Emergency Management as an AmeriCorps member promoting the Disaster PrepWise program. Hannah is a fourth-year Public Health and Ethics & Public Policy major at the University of Iowa. She is starting her Master of Public Health in Policy this fall as part of the Undergraduate to Graduate program. After graduation, her goal is to work as a health policy analyst or advocate in governmental public health.

• Melody Urich is serving with Linn County Public Health as an AmeriCorps member promoting the Disaster PrepWise program. Melody is a junior at the University of Iowa working towards a BS in Public Health and a BA in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.

Anyone interested in creating a personalized plan for themselves or who would like a Disaster PrepWise AmeriCorps member to present for an audience about disaster preparedness, please call 319-467-1193 or email cph-prepwise@ uiowa.edu.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles. The agency empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

Linn County EMA and Linn County Public Health are grateful to AmeriCorps members for their efforts in helping us educate individuals about disaster preparedness.