What is Citizen Corps?Schoolcraft County Citizen Corpswww.schoolcraftcountycert.org

What is Citizen Corps?

Citizen Corps is a United States national service program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security that seeks to mobilize the population of the country against threats to national security as well as to assist in the recovery after a disaster or terrorist attack.

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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.

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Why Involve Citizens?

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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Source: Los Angeles Fire Dept

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.”

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Robert Eckels, Harris County Judge U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental

Affairs September 28, 2005

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.

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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.

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Citizen Corps Partners

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The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates and trains citizens in basic disaster response skills.

Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to provide support to fire and rescue departments.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program helps medical, public health, and other volunteers offer their expertise.

Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.

Council 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

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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.

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Trainings & 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.

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Volunteer Services

– 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.

– Councils also coordinate additional volunteer opportunities as appropriate for the community and for people with special skills and interests

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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

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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

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Schoolcraft County

• Schoolcraft County Citizen Corps acts as the county’s Citizen Corps Council and operates two programs:

– Community Emergency Response Team

– Medical Reserve Corps

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Schoolcraft County CERT

An organization of volunteer emergency workers who have received specific training in basic disaster response skills, and who agree to supplement existing emergency responders in the event of a major disaster.

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Schoolcraft County MRC

A network of community-based units initiated and established by local organizations to meet the public health needs of their communities.

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Schoolcraft Co. Activities

• Community Events

• Festivals

• Outreach Programs

• Emergency Preparedness

• Training Programs

• Health Fairs

• Local Emergencies

• Public Health Initiatives

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Thank You For Your Time

Schoolcraft County Citizen Corp Council

500 Main Street

Manistique, MI 49854

(906) 341-3232

www.schoolcraftcountycert.org

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