Citizen Corps Uniting communities. Preparing the Nation. 1.

Citizen CorpsUniting communities. Preparing the Nation.

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Mission

Harness the power of every individual through education + training + volunteer service.

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National strategy

• Comprehensive effort to connect local + State + Federal governments with non-governmental groups and the private sector.

• Supports all aspects of citizen + community preparedness.

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National strategy (Continued . . .)

• Focuses on cultural change: – People need to take more responsibility for

individual + community preparedness.– Emergency responders need to include citizens in

emergency planning + education + training + exercises.

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National policy + guidance

• Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) – 8.• Integration in State strategies.• Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

• National Response Plan (NRP) and Planning Guidance. • Nationwide plan review/Homeland Security

Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

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LEGEND

Status Feedback Request for Support

State Citizen Corps Council State Citizen Corps Council

FederalAssistance

FederalAssistance

Citizen Corps funding support

Fire Corps Fire Corps

Medical Readiness

Corps (MRC)

Medical Readiness

Corps (MRC)

Volunteers in Police Service

(VIPS)

Volunteers in Police Service

(VIPS)

National Neighborhood Watch (NNW)

National Neighborhood Watch (NNW)

ParishCitizen Corps

Councils

ParishCitizen Corps

Councils

Community Emergency Response

Team (CERT)

Community Emergency Response

Team (CERT)

Citizen Corps Council members

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Citizen Corps Council duties

• Promote and strengthen the Citizen Corps programs + partners + affiliates at the community level.

• Provide opportunities for special skills + interests. • Develop targeted outreach for the community,

including special needs groups.

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Citizen Corps Council duties (Continued . . . )

• Provide training in first aid + emergency preparedness. • Organize special projects + community events.

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Citizen Corps Council duties (Continued . . . )

• Encourage cooperation + collaboration among community leaders.

• Create opportunities for all residents to participate.

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Community benefits• Greater sense of security + responsibility + personal

control.• Builds community pride + unity + patriotism.• Promotes risk reduction + mitigation + preparedness

practices.• Prepares us all for helping others in a crisis.

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State advocates

• Assists communities who are interested in starting a Citizen Corps program in their community.

• Provides knowledge + support where necessary.

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State Citizen Corps board

• Coordinates funding with the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for special training + events.

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Need to be ready

• In 95% of all emergencies,– Bystanders or victims themselves are the first to

provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue.

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Citizen Corps programs

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Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

• Teams of local volunteer medical + public health professionals contribute – Skills– Expertise

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MRC benefits to your community

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• Reduces reliance on State + national resources.• Bolsters public health + emergency response

infrastructures.• Facilitates information

sharing between partner organizations.

Medical support provided

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Non-medical support provided

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Assists law enforcement agencies• Police Reserves (various levels of training + assistance).• Can be set-up by individual agencies to meet their

needs + expectations. • Police Explorers (career oriented training + hands-on assistance).• Pools resources + assists with manpower needs.• Connects the public + the law enforcement agency.

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National volunteer fire council• Represents every major fire service organization in

the nation.• Creates valuable resources + fosters programs. – Brings community into

local fire and emergency service departments to assist with non-emergency tasks.

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National Neighborhood Watch (NNW)• Proactive, community-oriented endeavor for citizens

to protect their community.• Watch Group programs incorporate activities that not

only address crime prevention issues, but also restore pride and unity to a neighborhood.

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What is CERT?Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs:• educate people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may

impact their area.• train basic disaster response skills such as

– fire safety– light search + rescue– team organization– disaster medical operations

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What do we do?

• Assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

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Non-emergency roles• Support emergency response agencies by taking a

more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

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It starts with YOU!Citizen Corps was created to help everyone in America

answer the questions, “What can I do?” and “How can I help?”

No matter where you live or who you are - we all have a role in hometown security.

To find the Council nearest you, go to www.citizencorps.gov.32