The State of California is no stranger to atmospheric river events. In December, heavy rains led to flooding in the Redding area. It’s the kind of emergency situation the young adults of the California Conservation Corps (CCC) are preparing to respond to, if and when they’re needed.

“That’s why a lot of us are here, so we can feel like we’re doing something useful,” said Redding Corpsmember Gerald Miles. “In the California Conservation Corps, we’re all classified as emergency responders. We’re all here to do our part and help out. This is a great way for young adults, especially, to get in the field of first response.”

Under the guidance of the California Department of Water Resources, crews within CCC’s Shasta-Cascade District, which encompasses centers in Yreka, Redding, and Chico, are filling and stacking sandbags in strategic formations and learning to secure sheets of plastic visqueen to levees. These actions create a protective barrier, preventing damage to people and property.