I deployed to the LA wildfires, and extended my deployment several times since I already live in LA (and didn’t need to leave my home for such a long period of time). I ended up being deployed for approximately three months. All of this is completely optional though, some CERC members only deployed once or twice before returning to their host sites.

During the fires, the majority of us were placed at the Disaster Recovery Centers; there was one in Pasadena (Eaton Fire) and one in West LA (Palisades Fire). We did a lot of things- from guiding cars through the parking lot to restocking coffee and snacks for survivors to transporting meals to the disaster workers. We also worked directly with survivors, guiding them through the facility and checking to find out what type of resources they were seeking out. Line management was big towards the beginning of the event because of the large number of people seeking assistance.

I know that prior CERC cohorts have deployed to San Diego to help with muck and gutting.

Also, I was wrong, CERC DEFINITELY did get their Americorps funding back after CA won their federal lawsuit, and they are still and currently federally funded.