Veteran-led Team Rubicon supporting storm response in Bemidji area

BEMIDJI — Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit humanitarian organization, is helping the residents of Bemidji recover from the intense microburst that struck the community in late June.

According to a news release shared by Beltrami County Emergency Management, this operation is possible because of the critical support from the emergency managers of Beltrami County and city of Bemidji.

Team Rubicon’s volunteers, known as "Greyshirts," have traveled from all around the country to help residents impacted by the storm. Greyshirts will provide home interior disaster muck removal, roof-tarping, storm debris management and temporary home repair for affected homeowners.

Volunteer teams of chain saw operators will also assist homeowners and neighborhoods with removing hazardous and downed trees caused by the storm. Starting Tuesday, July 8, around 30 Greyshirt volunteers will spend two weeks serving Bemidji residents affected by the disaster.

All Team Rubicon volunteers will wear distinctive gray shirts, with their names written on the front, and "Team Rubicon" printed on the front and back. They will also offer business cards with information.

The organization said its services are provided at no cost to the homeowner, the city of Bemidji or Beltrami County. Volunteers do not accept any form of payment for their services.

Team Rubicon asks general demographic questions, including about insurance coverage, to better understand the individual needs of homeowners. The organization is in Bemidji at the request of, and working closely with, the city plus Beltrami County.

For more information, Bemidji residents can call Team Rubicon’s Bemidji base of operations at 626-565-8220.

The release reported that this year to date, Team Rubicon has conducted 51 operations across the country. They are currently also deployed in Lake County, Colorado, for wildfire mitigation and Kerr County, Texas, for flood response.

The organization is featured in the Roku original series titled Team Rubicon, which highlights the work of Greyshirt volunteers assisting communities across the country. Visit teamrubiconusa.org for more information.