2. History
Following the tragic events that occurred on Sep. 11, 2001, state and local government officials increased opportunities for citizens to become an integral part of protecting the homeland and supporting local first responders.
In Jan. 2002, the President of the United States launched Citizen Corps, to capture the spirit of service that emerged throughout our communities following the terrorist attacks and to help answer two key questions being asked by citizens, “What can I do?” and “How can I help?”.
Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

3. Why Involve Citizens?
In 95% of all emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue.
Strengthens ability to govern and maintain trust – through greater public confidence and better judgment in context of uncertainty
Improves plans’ feasibility by reflecting community values, realities, judgments, and engaging resources beyond the government
Provides citizen responders to support civic infrastructure in crisis
Mitigates public response, reduces consequences, develops resiliency and shortens recovery
Develops community-based prevention with public participation
Builds public advocacy to sustain policies of outreach and inclusion for preparedness, planning, prevention, mitigation
Source: Los Angeles Fire Department

4. Less than 1 percent of the U.S. population is an emergency responder
That means:
1 firefighter for every 265 people
1.1 million firefighters, of which 750,000 are volunteers
1 sworn officer for every 334 people
436,000 sworn law enforcement personnel
291,000 sworn sheriff’s office personnel
1 EMT/paramedic for every 325 people
890,000 people to provide all levels of pre-hospital services: Basic EMT, intermediate EMT, paramedic
Sources: Journal of Emergency Medical Services (2004); National Fire Protection
Association (2003); National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (2003)

5. Why Citizen Corps?
“The first responder on the street may not even be the police or fire; it's the guy who's there when the accident occurs.
The Citizen Corps, followed by the local first responders, followed then by the national officials can make a real difference in our community.”
Robert Eckels, Harris County Judge
U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
September 28, 2005
In 95% of all emergencies,
bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide
emergency assistance or
to perform a rescue

6. Citizen Corps Mission
To harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.

7. We all have a role in hometown security
Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

8. Everyone can do something to help make our families and our communities safer through:
Personal responsibility: Developing a household preparedness plan and disaster supplies kits, observing home health and safety practices, implementing disaster mitigation measures, and participating in crime prevention and reporting.
Training: Taking classes in emergency preparedness, response capabilities, first aid, CPR, fire suppression, and search and rescue procedures.
Volunteer service: Engaging individuals in volunteer activities that support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety organizations. Everyone can do something to support local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, community public health efforts, and the four stages of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.

9. Citizen Corps National Strategy
Citizen Corps functions as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s only comprehensive effort to connect federal, state and local governments with non-governmental groups and the private sector to support all aspects of citizen and community preparedness.
The program focuses on cultural change: People need to take more responsibility for individual and community preparedness, and emergency responders need to include the citizens in emergency planning, education, training, and exercises.

10. Citizen Corps National Strategy
The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of 2,300 state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps programs and carry out a local strategy to have every American participate.
Collaboration with the 32 national partner and affiliate organizations and countless local organizations is integral to accomplishing the Citizen Corps mission.
“They are the key element. The real first responders are our citizens. We can't do our job without them.”
- Chief Ed Plaugher
Arlington Co. Fire Dept. 2001

11. National Preparedness Directorate
FEMA
National Preparedness Directorate
American Public
Affiliate
Programs
Are You Ready?
State/Territorial Citizen Corps Councils
Tribal / Local Citizen Corps Councils
Federal Partner Programs
Citizen Preparedness ~ Training & Exercises ~ Volunteer Service
DHS
DOJ/NSA
DOJ/IACP
DHS/G&T
DHHS/OSG
DHS/USFA
NVFC/IAFF/IAFC

12. Citizen Corps Partners
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.
Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates and trains citizens in basic disaster response skills.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program helps medical, public health, and other volunteers offer their expertise.
Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to provide support to fire and rescue departments.

13. Citizen Corps Affiliates
To be considered for official, national affiliation with Citizen Corps, programs and organizations must:
support the mission of citizen participation in making America safer,
be non-profit or government sponsored and nationwide in scope,
be non-partisan, and
not be listed on any Federal or State registers of financial non-responsibility.
Affiliate programs and organizations provide:
materials and resources for public education or training;
volunteer service opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief activities, and community safety efforts; or
represent volunteers with an interest in homeland security
Coordination and mutual support of respective activities
The interest level that Citizen Corps has sparked since it’s announcement and the breadth of activities that are already taking place across the country encouraged us to develop an affiliate program to work formally with those programs and organizations that support the mission of helping citizens prevent, prepare for, and respond to crime, disasters, pressing health needs, and other emergencies.

14. Citizen Corps Affiliates

15. Other Citizen Corps Partnerships
Citizen Corps also works closely with the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteer service activities that support homeland security and community safety.
Citizen Corps works closely with Ready.gov to help everyone in America get a kit, make a plan, and be informed about disasters.

16. National Policy & Guidance
Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 8
National Preparedness Strategy & Goal (8th Priority!)
Target Capabilities List / Capabilities Assessment
Integration required in State Strategies
Homeland Security Grant Program
National Response Plan and Planning Guidance
CPG 101 and EOPs
Nationwide Plan Review / Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
Coordination with national standards like NFPA 1600
Citizen/Community Preparedness as National Policy
HSPD 8 established citizen preparedness as a key part of homeland security.
Other national documents integrate community preparedness as a priority for federal, state and local governments:
National Preparedness Goal
Target Capability List Universal Task List
State and Urban Strategies
Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance
National Response Plan
Hurricane Katrina After-Action reports cite the need for improved, integrated community preparedness and for better preparedness coordination with non-governmental entities.
White House Report lists Citizen Corps as one of the “things that went right.”
White House Report lists 13 actions for better community preparedness integration. The Citizen Corps program is a key player in implementing these actions.

17. Citizen Corps Local Strategy and Implementation
Increased collaboration between government and community leaders
Neighborhoods /
HOAs
Schools/Univ
Places of worship
Critical Infrastr
Private Sector
Public Sector
Military Bases
Recreation
Shopping Malls
Hospitality
Transportation P R E A D C I T Z N S
Terrorism
Collaboration & Planning
Public Ed &
Outreach /
Alerts-Warnings
Training and
Exercises
Volunteer
Opportunities S P E C I A L N D
Crime
Medical
Emergencies
Public Health x x + =
Technological
Hazards
Natural Hazards +
Household
Emergencies
All Hazards
(Year round and in crisis)

18. Citizen Corps Councils
As of 4/1/09: 2,369 Councils in all 50 states and 5 U.S. territories
Fire Corps: 687 ▪ Neighborhood Watch: 14,791
VIPS: 1,892 ▪ MRC: 805 ▪ CERT: 3,230

19. Citizen Corps Councils Membership
First responder/emergency management
(law enforcement, fire service, EMS/EMT, public works)
Elected officials
Service organizations - voluntary, non-profits
Business leaders and for-profit sector
School reps and youth organizations
Critical infrastructure – transportation, utilities…
Media representatives
Faith-based leaders
Military
Special needs representation
Representatives of language and culture communities
Leadership of community civic groups
Community Engagement
Demonstrates commitment by elected officials and government leadership in “authentic” two-way interaction
Engages community leaders and builds on existing networks
Builds a common sense of purpose for collaboration – community access, inclusion, development, education, preparedness, resiliency
Provides resources to build and sustain engagement
Outreaches through trusted organizations and networks to un-represented, isolated, disaffected
Builds on and demonstrates understanding, respect, recognition of social, political, and emotional context

20. Citizen Corps Councils Responsibilities
Promote and strengthen the Citizen Corps programs, partners and affiliates, at the community level
Provide opportunities for special skills and interests
Develop targeted outreach for the community, including special needs groups
Provide opportunities of training in first aid and emergency preparedness
Organize special projects and community events
Encourage cooperation and collaboration among community leaders
Capture smart practices and report accomplishments
Create opportunities for all residents to participate

21. Citizen Corps Councils Activities
Citizen Preparedness:
Help to educate residents about important preparedness measures:
Developing a household disaster plan and disaster supply kits for the home, workplace, and vehicle
Learning about emergency plans for schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities
Understanding alerts, warnings, and local emergency services
Conducting drills
Observing home health and safety practices
Implementing property damage prevention measures
Participating in crime prevention and reporting.
Citizen Corps Councils conduct public education and outreach efforts to provide critical local guidance on these actions.

22. Citizen Corps Councils Activities
• Training and Exercises:
Provide training to improve citizen preparedness, prevention, and response capabilities:
First aid; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and automated external defibrillators (AED)
Crime prevention and terrorism awareness
Learning about the Incident Command System
Skills included in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, such as fire safety, search and rescue procedures, and disaster medical operations
Councils also promote the importance of drills in the home, workplace, and school, and help coordinate citizen participation in community disaster response exercises.

23. Citizen Corps Councils Activities
• Volunteer Service:
Coordinate volunteer opportunities that support local emergency responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety organizations.
Everyone can do something to support local emergency management, law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and community public health efforts.
Citizen Corps volunteer programs include Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch, and Volunteers in Police Service.
Councils also coordinate additional volunteer opportunities as appropriate for the community and for people with special skills and interests.

24. Citizen Corps Councils Community Benefits
Greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control
Builds community pride, unity and patriotism
Promotes risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness practices
Prepares us all for helping others in a crisis

25. Citizen Corps Councils Benefits for Emergency Responders
Year round support through volunteer programs
Reduces burden on first responder services by promoting mitigation and preparedness measures
Creates well trained, better informed, and better prepared citizens to take care of themselves and others during times of crisis -- allowing first responders to address the most critical needs

26. Accomplishments
The Citizen Corps programs have experienced steady growth since FY 2002 and Citizen Corps Councils now serve 78% of the U.S. population.
Integration of non-governmental groups into all phases of government preparedness at local, state, tribal, territorial, national level
Integration of Citizen Preparedness and participation into:
Policy
Planning
Training
Exercises
Disaster Response
Key Accomplishments
Policy
Community Preparedness is an integral part of all DHS national doctrine on preparedness
Planning
State and local governments are beginning to address community preparedness in their state strategies, grant applications, and local planning guides.
State and local governments are working with their Councils to develop and exercise plans that address the needs of the elderly and disability populations.
Training
More than 2,100 programs at the local level conduct the CERT training and support local Teams.
Two Michigan Universities are developing “How to Guides” to institute CERTs in high schools and universities.
Medical Reserve Corps, Fire Corps, and the Volunteers in Police Service have trained thousands of volunteers to support emergency responders.
Exercises
Citizen Corps was part of the recently held Hurricane Table Top Exercises.
Communities across the country are tapping Citizen Corps to bring non-governmental communities into the exercise play.
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are playing a key role in bio-terrorism exercises and getting training to serve as part of the response network.
Disaster Response
Mobilized 2,700 recruits from 48 states to support the 2004 Hurricane Season.
More than 14,000 volunteers in all 50 states supported shelter/evacuee operations. An additional 40,000 volunteers supported American Red Cross operations.
The Harris County, TX successful Astrodome operation was due largely to the County Judge’s ability to quickly mobilize 60,000 volunteers through the Citizen Corps Council.
CERT volunteers have been assisting in the response to local floods, forest fires, etc. In additional to basic response functions, they also provide support by staffing the mobilization centers, handling logistics, emergency operation center duties and other non-response functions.
In States such as NC and SC, Citizen Corps volunteers are going door to door to advise the residents of hurricane season and evacuation routes. In NC, they are launching a multilingual informational website and offering information through billboards, cinema screens, etc. In SC, they are also setting up a database where citizens can voluntarily register where they are planning to go in case of an evacuation. In NH, Citizen Corps volunteers staffed the shelters and filled sandbags during the recent floods.
Integration of Non-Governmental Groups
Formed a National Citizen Corps Council to bring together more than 75 non-governmental organizations that are essential to supporting federal, state, and local governments in the preparedness and response agenda.
Partnered with major non-profits and other government groups to promote citizen preparedness Working with FEMA and the DHS Office of Faith-based Initiatives to reach out to faith-based groups in the community.
Collaboration with other Federal Organizations
Created the Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee as part of the National Citizen Corps Council.
Formed a partnership with Department of Education, NOAA, and the EPA to further preparedness among their programs and constituents.
Brought together the Department of Education, NOAA, and DHS to provide all-weather radios to Urban Area School Districts. Project is on-going. American Legion and the American Radio Relay League, two of our partners, are working to connect these radios at the local school district levels.