Citizen Corp needs you

After September 11, 2001, America witnessed a wellspring of selflessness and heroism. People in every corner of the country asked, "What can I do?" and "How can I help?" A group named Citizen Corps was created to help all Americans answer these questions through public education and outreach, training, and volunteer service.

Citizen Corps has five programs where citizens may volunteer to be of service in their local areas. The five programs are Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch (USAonwatch.org), and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS). For information on all of these programs go online to www.citizencorps.gov

The group that I want to discuss with you today is the CERT program. CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

One also expects that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can

make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

To find and join a CERT group in your area, go online at www.citizencorps.gov, click on programs and then CERT. You will be asked to enter the zip code for your area. Thank you for helping your community.

September is National Preparedness Month

Get Ready and Get Involved! By Rebecca Marquis, Acting Director, Ready Campaign

Being Ready starts with you! getting an Emergency Supply Kit; making a Family Emergency Plan; being information about emergencies; and getting involved in community efforts such as Citizen Corps are important steps that you need to take. September is National Preparedness Month and the perfect time to get involved in making your communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared.

Federal Emergency Management Agency's grassroots preparedness initiative, Citizen Corps, supports local opportunities for communities to become engaged in preparedness and resiliency by connecting government and civic leaders, non-governmental organizations, and other community-based programs throught participation on their local Citizen Corps Council. Citizen Corps Councils support emergency operations planning, training and exercises, and volunteer opportunities which enhance community safety. Citizen Corps collaborates with 32 partners which support the mission of creating a resilient nation through successful crime prevention, emergency response and public health practices that exist in communities around the country. Here are a few examples of how you can become more involved in your community:

• Volunteering for local law enforcement agencies through the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program. VIPS volunteers conduct traffic control, crowd control, and other duties that support local law enforcement.
• Training to become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your area. CERT members support first responders before, during and after a disaster by providing support for preparedness awareness and using their skills to execute response protocols to assist emergency responders.
• Joining a Neightborhood Watch group to assist with crime and terrorism prevention by working more closely with local law enforcement, and emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness among families and homes in your neighborhood.
• Donating time to a Medical Reserve Corps Unit through volunteering with medical and public health professionals to contribute skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need.
• Becoming an advocate for fire safety and prevention education in the community and assisting wtih administrative duties at your local fire station through Fire Corps.
• Getting involved with an American Red Cross Chapter by giving blood to ensure a safe supply, volunteering with your local chaper, getting trained to respond to local disasters like home fires, or making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund.
• Helping other community members prepare, including those individuals who are elderly or disables, non-English speaking and/or have other special needs.

All over Amercia, communities have organized Citizen Corps Councils to involve local government and non-government in emergency management planning, mitigation, response and recovery activites. You can get involved by contacting your local Council at http://www.citizencorps.gov/; and you can get more information about READY by going to http://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.listo.gov/