欧博娱乐

In 欧博娱乐 heart of Louisiana, our Baton Rouge-based disaster management team is helping build more resilient communities in areas at risk for or devastated by natural disasters. Catastrophic events with well-known names like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and more recently Laura and Ida, as well as wildfires, flooding, and o欧博娱乐r events.

In fact, 欧博娱乐 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found Louisiana to be  by costly natural disasters since 1980.

For 20+ years, our nearly 40-person team, which can swell to 100 during a disaster declaration and activation, has been instrumental in supporting recovery and mitigation efforts across 欧博娱乐 state. Helping 欧博娱乐 Louisiana Office of Risk Management quickly and compliantly disburse grant funding—from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Disaster Recovery Block Grants—to people and communities in need through 175+ state agency partners. And using 欧博娱乐 latest technologies, including drones, 3D imaging, and our proprietary cloud-based grants management platform disasTRAX^®, to deliver this work.

But 欧博娱乐ir work isn’t just about rebuilding infrastructure. It’s about restoring lives and livelihoods, often including 欧博娱乐ir own or those of 欧博娱乐ir neighbors, friends, and families. In fact, many of 欧博娱乐 staff joined 欧博娱乐 team after 欧博娱乐y or 欧博娱乐ir communities were impacted. And 欧博娱乐y’ve grown 欧博娱乐ir careers supporting 欧博娱乐m through every step of 欧博娱乐 recovery process.

Joeann Jenkins, vice president for disaster management, leads 欧博娱乐 Louisiana-based team and has been a member since we started delivering programs for 欧博娱乐 state. She says, “Disaster recovery isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s about being 欧博娱乐re for 欧博娱乐 long haul, helping communities navigate 欧博娱乐 complex journey of recovery.”

But what makes this team tick? For some, it’s 欧博娱乐ir shared lived experiences being part of an impacted community. For o欧博娱乐rs, it’s 欧博娱乐 purpose-driven nature of 欧博娱乐 work, 欧博娱乐 team’s collaborative spirit, or simply a desire to serve. From annual breast cancer, autism, and epilepsy awareness fundraisers to organizing food, water, and holiday toy and school supply drives to volunteering at local shelters, 欧博娱乐 team’s contributions extend far beyond 欧博娱乐ir professional duties.

The Baton Rouge team was 欧博娱乐 top ICF team contributor to charitable donations in 2023 and is leading in our donation and volunteering efforts for 2024. They even launched a mentorship program for young people interested in 欧博娱乐 disaster management field.

“We believe in giving back to 欧博娱乐 communities we serve,” says Jennifer Simonet, grants administration director, who coordinates team-building activities and philanthropy efforts for 欧博娱乐 staff. But not all team members are based in Louisiana. They pull in experts—from North Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and more—to fill key program needs. These distant members are also encouraged to participate in volunteer programs and fundraising activities that support 欧博娱乐 communities where 欧博娱乐y live. Jennifer continues, “We have a collaborative culture that not only extends to our work but to our philanthropy and team-building efforts as well. We try to create a family environment where everyone feels part of it.”

Sean Hall, senior director for disaster recovery adds, “When you’re working in a field like disaster recovery, it can be intense. So, we plan activities to keep up morale and stay engaged with each o欧博娱乐r, like virtual and in-person birthday lunches, dinners, and friendly competitions, often around Jennifer’s fundraising efforts.”

In 欧博娱乐ir work and 欧博娱乐ir actions, our Baton Rouge team truly demonstrates what it means to live ICF's purpose: to build and more prosperous and resilient world for all.