Transcript Slide 1

Citizen Corps Mission
To have everyone in America participate
in making themselves, our
communities, and our nation safer
We all have a role in hometown security
a 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.
The 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
Office of Grants and Training
National
Citizen Corps Council
Citizen Preparedness ~ Training & Exercises ~ Volunteer Service
Federal Partner Programs
Affiliate
Programs
Are You Ready?
DHS
DOJ/NSA
DOJ/IACP
DHS
DHHS/OSG
DHS/USFA
NVFC/IAFF/IAFC
Citizen Corps Council
Citizen Corps Programs
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
Citizen Corps Affiliates
• Programs and organizations that
- provide materials and resources for public education or
training;
- provide volunteer service opportunities to support first
responders, disaster relief activities, and community
safety efforts; or
- represent volunteers with an interest in homeland
security
Citizen Corps Affiliates
Citizen Corps Approach
National network of state/local/tribal
Citizen Corps Councils to:
- tailor activities to the community
- build on community strengths to develop and
implement a local strategy for all to participate
National and state public
awareness and media campaign
Citizen Corps Councils
Fire Service
Emergency
Management
Law
Enforcement
Emergency
Medical
National Citizen Corps Council
Volunteer
Service
Individuals with
Disabilities
Private Sector
State Citizen Corps Councils
Tribal/Local Citizen Corps Councils
Intergovernmenta
l
Citizen Corps Councils
• Focus on public education, training, and volunteer
opportunities for community and family safety
• Promote and oversee Citizen Corps programs
• Provide opportunities for special skills and interests
• Organize special projects/community events
Citizen Corps –
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
Citizen Corps Emergency Responder Benefits
• 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
CITIZEN CORPS IN NC
• Approved Citizen Corps Councils – 89
 County Councils - 58
 Local Councils (towns/cities) – 29
 Tribal - 2
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Community Emergency Response Teams – 74
Neighborhood Watch Programs – 372
Volunteers in Police Service Programs – 35
Medical Reserve Corps Units – 19
Fire Corps Programs - 19
How Can CPAC Members Help?
• Corporations and businesses can support and sponsor
employee CERT Teams by providing training
– One of the best ways organizations can protect
themselves in a disaster.
– While systems and facilities may be recovered, they
are of little value if employees are unavailable.
– CERT training is one of the ways organizations can
help ensure their employees can return to work as
quickly as possible following a disaster.
CERT Is…
A Serious Effort to Involve Community
Members in Disaster Preparedness and
Response
CERT Goal
A network of teams who are trained by emergency
service professionals that can be called upon during
local emergency and disaster situations. Also CERT
members are a volunteer resource for non-emergency
preparedness projects.
CERT Training Modules
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Unit 1:
Unit 2:
Unit 3:
Unit 4:
Unit 5:
Unit 6:
Unit 7:
Unit 8:
Unit 9:
Disaster Preparedness
Fire Safety
Disaster Medical Operations-Part 1
Disaster Medical Operations-Part 2
Light Search and Rescue Operations
CERT Organization
Disaster Psychology
Terrorism and CERT
Course Review and Disaster Simulation
History of CERT in NC
• 1997-1998
 3 train-the-trainer classes held with 5 counties participating
• FY 2002-FY 2004
 76 grants have been awarded by NC Citizen Corps to County
Emergency Management Agencies to create Citizen Corps
Councils and CERT teams
• Currently reviewing 56 grant proposals for Citizen Corps
Councils, CERT teams, MRC units, and VIPS programs in the
state.
• The state has conducted 28 train-the-trainer sessions since
2002.
CERT
Disaster Response Activities
• Assisted in several out-of-state disasters (Hurricanes Charley,
Frances, Ivan, Katrina)
• Assisted in flooding in western NC in 2004
• Assisted in Emergency Operations Centers
• Checked on senior citizens without electricity
• Assisted in American Red Cross
shelters
CERT Non-Disaster Activities
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Traffic control for special events
Crowd control for special events
Preparedness education/outreach
Market CERT; make speeches
Member of other Citizen Corps Programs
Continuing Education
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Chainsaw Safety
Shelter Operations
Weather Spotter
Search and Rescue
CPR
Damage Assessment
Traffic Control
Mass Care
SUCCESSES…
 Widespread interest among county
administrators and citizens
 Recognition of CERT teams’ positive contribution
to both disaster and non-disaster activities
 Passage of statewide liability coverage by 2005
General Assembly
 Counties and municipalities beginning to budget
for CERT activities
NC CERT Goals…
• Statewide CERT association
• Continuing education for CERT instructors
• CERT curriculum for senior citizens and disabled
population
• NC CERT website
www.citizencorps.gov
[email protected]
[email protected]
919-715-8676
Cathy Henry, CERT Program Manager
[email protected]
336-312-2962