FAIRDALE, IL., Apr. 13, 2015 –Team Rubicon continues its response today throughout Dekalb County, and Ogle County to help residents affected by last week’s tornado which brought damage and debris across the region.
The disaster relief organization, comprised of military veterans and first responders, mobilized yesterday with damage assessment, and debris removal teams, at the request of Fairdale—Dekalb County Emergency Management.
Nearly two dozen volunteers, from multiple states, arrived over the week in what Team Rubicon dubbed Operation: Barbed Wire. During the response, Team Rubicon will clear debris and help with damage to residents’ properties—opening access to services and easing the burden on those impacted.
Residents looking for assistance can contact Team Rubicon members on the ground by calling (815) 201-2230
The volunteers have established a joint base of operations with Information Technology Disaster Resource Center at the Home Depot, 6930 Argus Drive, in Rockford. In addition to helping residents, highly-skilled assessment teams are preparing damage data, as well as working in conjunction with AmeriCorps to manage spontaneous volunteers.
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.
The nonprofit was founded in the wake of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake by Jake Wood and William McNulty, both Marine veterans. It has grown from eight to 28,000 members with 90 operations under its belt, including Haiti, Superstorm Sandy, Oklahoma Tornadoes, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Team Rubicon’s most recent deployment in Illinois was to assist with the tornadoes in Washington in November, 2013.
To learn more about Team Rubicon’s mission, or to become a supporter, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.
About Team Rubicon Team Rubicon (TR) unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. TR offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.