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More than 350 Volunteers in New York State Attend 2nd Annual Citizen Corps Conference
Release Date: May 3
"Getting citizens engaged and providing them opportunities to prepare, train, and volunteer for hometown security is a good way to support the efforts of our professional emergency responders," said Director Mencer.
Special Volunteer Programs in New York State hosted the 2nd Annual New York State Citizen Corps Leadership Volunteer Conference in Albany April 28-30, 2004. The Conference was a three-day training for more than 350 volunteers from throughout New York State who want to play a preparedness role in their community. The focus of the conference was on how volunteers can prepare their home and their community to support emergency management during times of disaster. Conference workshops featured Citizen Corps program overviews, emergency management, emergency preparedness programs, volunteer recruitment & retention techniques, and leadership skill-building tools.
The conference Opening Luncheon was held on Wednesday, April 28th. Guest speakers included Senator Michael Balboni, Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs and Director of the New York State Office for Public Security James McMahon. Both state officials emphasized the importance of diligence on behalf of local communities throughout New York State to prepare for emergency situations. They echoed their own individual commitment to provide the financial and material resources necessary to support this cause.
On Thursday evening at a formal banquet, conference attendees state dignitaries and special guests listened to keynote speaker C. Suzanne Mencer, Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security. "Getting citizens engaged and providing them opportunities to prepare, train, and volunteer for hometown security is a good way to support the efforts of our professional emergency responders," said Director Mencer, "President Bush, secretary Ridge, and the Department have made it a priority to engage all citizens in helping make our hometowns safe from all threats and hazards. Citizen Corps provides the local opportunities for citizens to really get involved and make a difference."
From left to right: Mark Walter, Director, Volunteer Programs in New York State; William Howard, 1st Deputy secretary to Governor Pataki; C. Suzanne Mencer, Director of ODP; Edward F. Jacoby, Jr., Director, New York State Office of Emergency Management; William Campbell, New York State Citizen Corps Point of Contact
In addition to Director Mencer, New York State Emergency Management Office Director Edward F. Jacoby, Jr. also stressed the importance of preparedness for emergency situations to the conference. "Under Governor George E. Pataki's leadership, no state has done more than New York to increase its level of preparedness to respond during times of emergency," said Director Jacoby, "However, a community's level of preparedness begins with the individual. That is why this conference is so vital to enhancing the well-being of our communities."
Other guest presenters included Dr. James Gambone, national and internationally respected expert on generational and intergenerational relationships. Dr. Gambone spoke on His Intergenerational "Dialogue & Action" process that has been successful for more than 15 years in areas of disaster recruitment, community empowerment, and disaster relief. Ms. Karen Marsh of Citizen Corps in Washington, DC, presented on the topic of "Building and Sustaining Local Citizen Corps Councils" to conference attendees, preparing them to return to their local communities and begin their own councils.
Special Volunteer Programs in New York State is a partnership between the American Red Cross, New York State Emergency Management Office, New York State Office for the Aging, New York State Education Department, Corporation for National and Community Service, Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.