News & Events
Press Releases
Department Of Homeland Security Announces Official Launch Of New Fire Corps Program For Citizen Advocates
Fire Corps program to increase citizen support and participation in local fire departments
Release Date: December 9
Washington, DC – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the launch of the Fire Corps program, which will support fire departments across the country by leveraging community volunteer efforts to handle non-emergency activities. Actively involving citizens in a non-emergency role will enable highly trained fire service personnel to focus more fully on acute emergency tasks. What’s more, citizen advocates will help expand educational outreach to all residents about ways in which they can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities from fire hazards. Fire Corps will also educate fire departments and fire service organizations on how to involve citizens in these non-emergency activities.
As a Program Partner of President George W. Bush’s grass-roots initiative Citizen Corps, Fire Corps will work through local Citizen Corps Councils across the country to offer citizens education, training, and volunteer opportunities. Fire Corps is a partnership between The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Combination Officers Section (VCOS), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the Department of Homeland Security’s US Fire Administration and Office of State and Local Government Preparedness and Coordination.
“By partnering with the fire community to create Fire Corps, we will offer citizens in every neighborhood across America an opportunity to support their local firehouse,” said secretary Ridge. “Citizen volunteers can have an impact in a variety of ways. Some may choose to spread the word about fire prevention or educate the community on fire safety or help with routine administrative tasks. But all in choosing to serve will give firefighters more time and resources to pursue their critical, highly skilled responsibilities on the front lines of emergency response -- where they are needed most.”
Fire Corps volunteer activities may include assisting fire department personnel with administrative duties, performing education and outreach efforts to encourage fire safety and prevention, supporting CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training in emergency preparedness and basic response techniques, and other non-suppression activities unique to rural and urban areas.
“Through Fire Corps, Americans will have new opportunities to strengthen their communities by assisting their local fire departments,” said Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps Desiree T. Sayle. “As Fire Corps members serve in firehouses across the country, they will be serving vital community interests and enabling more firefighters to become more available for front-line duty. Fire Corps is helping to fulfill the President’s Call to Service for all Americans to make volunteering an important part of our lives.”
“Across this nation, we are keenly aware of people with a strong desire to serve their communities and contribute their time and skills to support homeland security, and in particular their local firefighters,” said Chief R. David Paulison, U.S. Fire Administrator, Department of Homeland Security. “When firefighters can stand side by side with citizens in promoting fire prevention and general safety efforts, and are able to invite citizens to assist with non emergency responsibilities, the overall security and safety of their community is greatly enhanced.”
At the launch event, Fire Corps also acknowledged Jeff Thorp, who joined Fire Corps as the program’s first registered volunteer. During the event, Mr. Thorp was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his dedication and support to Fire Corps. Mr. Thorp is supporting the Dunn Loring Virginia Fire Department and has already devoted more than 170 hours of volunteer service in FY04. Prior to the launch event, Fire Corps hosted its first meeting of the Fire Corps National Committee. The Committee brings together fire service organizations to help provide strategic direction for the Fire Corps program. The Committee also serves as the Fire Service Subcommittee of the National Citizen Corps Council.
“The Fire Corps program will play a vital role in involving citizens in fire safety training, education, and volunteer service programs,” said Matt Mayer, Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness. “With Fire Corps joining the Citizen Corps network, the Department of Homeland Security will be able to provide communities with a more comprehensive approach to involving everyone in hometown security.”
Fire Corps is coordinated nationally by the National Volunteer Fire Council and is a Program Partner of Citizen Corps, the Department of Homeland Security’s grass-roots effort to actively involve everyone in making communities across America safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies of all kinds. Citizen Corps is a vital component of USA Freedom Corps, President George W. Bush’s effort to encourage volunteer service and promote a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Please visit www.firecorps.org to learn more about Fire Corps. Please visit www.citizencorps.gov to learn more about Citizen Corps.