AL DEBACA, CHAIRMAN
15224 LeFloss Avenue
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 868-1480 -- FAX (562) 929-8442

     Much of the Civil Disaster Program will remain the same. Funds donated at $0.25 (twenty- five cents) per member are still a vital part of the program and will be utilized as they have in the past "as a service to our veterans."

     Chairmen are to make themselves familiar with the branches of government including Federal, State and local that step in to give financial aid to those in need. As a result of a Civil Disaster, every Post and District in California has to be encouraged to participate in Civil Disaster training. Awards will be presented at Department Convention.

POST SITES: ONE (1) IN EACH TWENTY (20) MILE RADIUS

     These sites should be equipped to house veterans and their families for at least a twenty-four (24) hour period in case of a major disaster.

PERSONNEL:          Post and District: Service Officer
                                   First Aid Personnel
                                   Rehabilitation and information

DUTIES OF THESE OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Service Officer: check qualifications, fill out forms and information.
Rehabilitation: housing, feeding and clothing.
Information: news assignments and information.

CIVIL DISASTER GUIDELINES

     · Any person receiving funds from the Civil Disaster Program must be a paid up member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California.

     · To qualify for a Civil Disaster claim, a member’s recruitment date has to be at least 90 days prior to placing a claim. A person who is qualified to receive Civil Disaster aid is the owner of his home and is living in it at the time of disaster. A valid claim on a members home must first be substantiated by a Post Commander or Chairman who will investigate this to be true, then give this information to the Civil Disaster Chairman, Al DeBaca, Department of California at (562) 868-1480, who will then determine the amount of such claim, not to exceed $500.00.

     NOW HEAR THIS: The Civil Disaster Fund shall be used to help the VFW member and under no circumstances shall be used for landlords who have suffered a loss to rental property or for losses incurred by a business or businesses owned by a member of the VFW.

     · After any Civil Disaster, fire, flood, or earthquake, a mandatory cut-off date will be established. The aforementioned starts from the 1 st day after the event and extends for thirty (30) days thereafter. This time limit may be extended at the discretion of the State Commander and the Civil Disaster Chairman.

REPORTING

     Report Civil Disaster donations and activities under Community Services and Safety using (CAVFW FORM-12) and (CAVFW FORM-7). Mail all reports and donations directly to Department Headquarters, 7111 Governors Circle, Sacramento, CA 95823. Make checks out to Civil Disaster, Department of California.

POST AWARDS

     Any Post donating $500.00 or more will receive a plaque.

DISTRICT AWARDS

     Any District with 100% Participation in the Civil Disaster Program will receive a plaque. A plaque will be awarded to the outstanding District and District Chairman in the Civil Disaster Program. Any District donating $500.00 or more will also receive a special plaque.

     For judging purposes, we will evaluate the amount of money raised and donated per member, plus the number of Post members trained in first aid, nurses and medical technicians registered to work on a disaster team and members registered to your county and/or city Civil Disaster Chairman. Contact the chairman for further information on either the program or judging.