Statewide Initiative to Coordinate Volunteers, Agencies to Prepare for Disasters

The American Red Cross of Greater New York and chapters throughout the state are partnering with several government and volunteer agencies to sponsor the Special Volunteer Programs in New York State, a new statewide homeland security initiative that will enhance disaster preparedness and response through partnerships, collaborations and volunteerism. This program will fully support New York State's Citizen Corps efforts.

After September 11, 2001, America witnessed a wellspring of selflessness and heroism. People in every corner of the country asked, "What can I do?" and "How can I help?"

Citizen Corps was created by President George W. Bush to help all Americans answer these questions through public education and outreach, training, and volunteer service. 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. Citizen Corps Councils helps drive local citizen participation by coordinating Citizen Corps programs, developing community action plans, assessing possible threats and identifying local resources.

The New York program will train and mobilize thousands of volunteers -- primarily seniors -- and support the creation of new Citizen Corps Councils across the state.

"New Yorkers have a deep-rooted tradition of volunteering in the annals of Empire State history," said Edward F. Jacoby, Jr., SEMO Director. "Citizen Corps is a natural extension of that history of neighbors helping neighbors."

"Older New Yorkers and Homeland Security are a natural fit," said Edward J. Kramer, Assistant Director of Program Operations for the New York State Office for the Aging. "These older Americans have lived through many troubled times in America and know first hand the value of neighborhood and community volunteer involvement."

The program is co-sponsored by the New York State Emergency Management Office, New York State Office for the Aging, New York State Commission on National and Community Service, New York State Department of Education, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in New York State, and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. These partners will identify, train and mobilize volunteers to serve in local activities to ultimately strengthen Homeland Security.

"Now more than ever, education and preparedness in emergency response and recovery is essential for our communities," said Mark Walter, State Director for the Special Volunteer Programs in New York State. "Citizen Corps harnesses the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to threats of all kinds."

Special Volunteer Programs in New York State is actively recruiting dedicated and enthusiastic individuals as Leadership Volunteers who will directly support local Citizen Corps Councils. These volunteers will support the volunteer development efforts set forth by the council including assisting in recruitment and tracking of new volunteers and determining volunteer recruitment needs and assisting and conducting public presentations to groups of volunteers interested in supporting local disaster preparedness and response. Other duties may be requested. Leadership Volunteers will attend a 3-day statewide training June 23-25 in Albany, NY that will focus on emergency management, volunteer recruitment and training, basic first aid and safety, and disaster preparedness and response.

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