It’s been just over one month since Typhoon Mawar made landfall on the island of Guam, and recovery efforts continue throughout the territory. This week a new effort begins—at the request of Governor Guerrero—AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams have begun removing trees on residential private property that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. It’s called The AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Program and it’s a free service.
“Twenty-five team members have traveled from the mainland to help make this mission a success.” said AmeriCorps Mission Assignment Operations Manager Luke Wigle “We have teams from Iowa, North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana who will be in communities clearing trees over the next few weeks. It’s hard work but helping the people of Guam makes it all worthwhile.”
This project was made possible through close collaboration between FEMA, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Serve Guam Commission, Crisis Cleanup and AmeriCorps to support residents needing tree cutting work. AmeriCorps programs sending personnel include Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, American Conservation Experience, American Youth Works’ Texas Conservation Corps and Louisiana Conservation Corps and SBP (formerly Saint Bernard Project).
“How do I Apply?”
To apply for help, residents should contact their mayor’s office to complete an application. The property owner will also have to sign a right of entry form authorizing AmeriCorps to do the work. This can either be completed with the mayor’s office at the time of application or with the AmeriCorps team when they visit to assess the property. Eligible households will be contacted by phone when teams are available to clear their trees.
Trees will be cut and debris will be hauled to the right of way. The speed of debris removal will depend on the number of requests received and the size of the impacted areas.
The AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Program will prioritize work that helps veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities or others with access or functional needs.
The AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Project is scheduled to end July 28, 2023.
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.