NorthStar is a proud site sponsor of the AmeriCorps program...
What is AmeriCorps?
- AmeriCorps is a part of the Emergency Medical Corps (EMC). This federal grant program provides for emergency related support in towns across America. AmeriCorps volunteers serve with EMS services, fire services, and hundreds of other community based organizations. More information can be found at www.americorps.org. Volunteers agree to serve for one year (generally from October to October but it can vary) at an AmeriCorps site. They contractually commit to 1,700 hours of service (including 300 hours of training - training can be local training or any other training related to emergency services, some AmeriCorps training is mandatory). During that period, they serve the host organization and the local community. Details can be found below.
Benefits of the AmeriCorps Program at NorthStar
- 1. A way to better your community!
2. $4,725 in educational vouchers at the end of the contract year.
3. $11,100 in a living allowance, paid bi-weekly.
4. Full medical benefits.
5. An excellent way to start or expand on your EMS career.
6. An outstanding way to become involved in a local community.
AmeriCorps at NorthStar’s Phillips Base:
- NorthStar’s Phillips Base is one of five bases that make up the NorthStar regional Emergency Medical Services system. At the Phillips Base, an ambulance is currently staffed for 10 hours during the day seven days a week and primarily covers the towns of Madrid, Avon, Phillips, and parts of Strong and Freeman. Because of its central location in the coverage area, the crews at this base also act as backup support to all the other NorthStar bases.
Phillips, Maine, a town of about 1,000 people, is in the heart of rural Franklin County. With reasonably priced lodging, including a great B&B in nearby Madrid (www.starbarnbandb.com), it is central to the many indoor and outdoor opportunities in the Lakes and Mountains Region of Maine. To the north is the four-season resort area of Rangeley with its ski slopes, snowmobiling, and boating. To the northeast is Sugarloaf, one of the premium ski resorts in New England. Just up the road is the Appalachian Trail, just down the road is Farmington, the county seat and home to several restaurants and downtown shopping. Other great small traditional New England towns dot the area around Phillips. There is ready access to the area’s unique blend of downtowns, lakes and streams, mountains and trails.
What are some of the Community Projects done by NorthStar's AmeriCorp volunteers?
- Blood pressure clinics, often for senior citizen groups or local businesses
- Presentations to senior groups in NorthStar towns for stroke signs, heart attack signs, falls and how to prevent them in your home and when to call 911
- Presentations to local high school faculty (around a 100 people) on awareness of Epi-pens, Seizures and CPR
- Assist in the planning for and operation of the Western Mountain EMS Conference (at Sugarloaf)
- Keep ME Warm program. Helping to insulate and educate on ways to save energy.
- First aid awareness to Cub Scout groups
- Winter safety to local preschool groups
- Tutoring grade school and HS students
- Instruction certification and helped set up a program for ATV/Snowmobile safety through the Inland Fishery & Wildlife (IF&W) and SAD 58
- Assisted in the local ATV club with trail cleanup, bridge repair and standby's for fundraisers for the ATV club.
- Assisted the ATV club in delivering turkeys and Christmas gifts to local residents.
- Local town park care and cleanup
- Car seat check stations
- Work with local fire department to increase knowledge and equipment use on the ambulance
- Assisted IF&W with starting the archery testing for state of Maine
- Help put up Christmas decorations in the town
What will a NorthStar AmeriCorp Volunteer do?
- The NorthStar AmeriCorps volunteer is an integral part of the NorthStar crew at the Phillips Base. The primary duty of the crews is to respond to emergency medical requests and provide scheduled transports when called upon. This includes providing direct patient care, ambulance driving, and first responding in the area. This is why it is important for AmeriCorps volunteers to be licensed Maine EMTs. Included in the responsibilities is assuring that the base and ambulance are well maintained and ready for immediate response. Along with the NorthStar employees at the base, the ERC AmeriCorps volunteers do community projects in the area and provide emergency response related education at schools, organizations’ meetings, and at senior housing.
NorthStar often also formally hires the volunteer as a NorthStar employee so the individual can serve as a PRN/per diem paid employee in other parts of the NorthStar system.
What are the requirements to be a NorthStar AmeriCorps Volunteer?
- 1. At least 18 years of age.
2. High School graduate or GED.
3. EMS license strongly preferred (or enrolled to get an EMS license).
4. Strong work ethic.
5. Valid current drivers license.
6. No criminal history.
7. Strong desire to assist the community.
8. Desire to learn.
Who are NorthStar's AmeriCorps alumni?
- (Current Members: Joe Carpenter and Nate Delavan)
- Don Salm
- Ben Guild
- Penny Salm
- Abby Davenport
- Jeremiah Field
- Jane Thorndike
How do I join?
- If you want to serve the Phillips community as an AmeriCorps Volunteer EMT, call NorthStar's Phillips Base at (207) 639-3830 or NorthStar Headquarters at (207) 779-2770 or email NorthStar's Director at drobie@fchn.org.
