Team Rubicon, a veteran-led global disaster response organization, is partnering with the West Virginia Emergency Operations Center, local Emergency Management Agencies, and the West Virginia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) to join the ongoing flood response efforts in the wake of severe storms on June 23. Their efforts will focus on supporting residents in Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties, which suffered the heaviest damage.
On Monday, June 27, Team Rubicon deployed a two-man reconnaissance team to conduct initial surveys and assist with initial damage assessments before sending more volunteer members to the disaster zone. Team Rubicon will conduct chainsaw and muck out operations, debris removal services, and volunteer management in coordination with local authorities, prioritizing the needs of affected homeowners based on level of assessed damage and proximity to the team’s geographic location. Their services come at no cost to homeowners in need.
“We are honored to be given the opportunity to serve West Virginians affected by this disaster,” said Army veteran and Incident Commander David Dodds. “The call to serve does not end after we take off the uniform, and volunteering with Team Rubicon gives our members the chance to rediscover a new purpose, community, and identity by helping our neighbors when they need it most.”
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Beyond disaster relief, Team Rubicon helps veterans find a renewed sense of purpose—vital, as many return to civilian life after more than a decade of war.
Since its inception following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon has grown from eight to over 36,000 volunteers and has responded to over 125 disasters, including the wildfire in Fort McMurray, Canada, the Nepal earthquakes, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and Hurricane Sandy.
Team Rubicon is a volunteer organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. The global disaster relief organization offers veterans the opportunity to continue their service by helping those affected by disasters while regaining a sense of purpose, community and identity. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org
