FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 22, 2003
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Federal Emergency Management Agency
Contact (202) 566-1600 |
FEMA and International Association of Fire Chiefs Partner in Preparedness Through Citizen Corps |
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Washington, D.C. - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for
Emergency Preparedness and Response, today announced an official partnership
between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and President Bush’s
Citizen Corps initiative. Through this partnership, Citizen Corps and the IAFC
will work together to raise public awareness and education about appropriate
actions to take regarding emergency preparedness, disaster response, community
risk reduction, fire prevention, life safety and volunteer service.
“We encourage the Citizen Corps Councils around the country to work with
their local fire chiefs and community leadership to promote volunteer service
opportunities in support of first responders, disaster relief and community
safety. Our communities are more secure when neighbors help neighbors,” Brown
said. "Together, we can make President Bush’s vision a reality."
Under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which
is part of the Department of Homeland Security, Citizen Corps is a
community-based initiative to engage all citizens in homeland security and
community and family preparedness through public education and outreach,
training opportunities, and volunteer programs. Programs under the Citizen Corps
umbrella include federally sponsored programs, including Neighborhood Watch and
Volunteers in Police Service, administered by the Department of Justice,
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), administered by FEMA, Medical Reserve
Corps, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, and other
activities that share the goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for, and
respond to all-hazards.
Founded in 1873, the IAFC is a pre-eminent network of more than 12,000
individuals representing the nation’s fire and emergency service leadership. The
fire service has rich traditions of service that have grown from the idea of
neighbors protecting neighbors, to become a cadre of highly trained
professionals and volunteers who protect our citizens, communities and nation
from threats and hazards of all types. The IAFC Volunteer and Combination
Officers Section provides Chief Officers who manage volunteers within the
Fire/Rescue/EMS delivery system with information, education, services and
representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the
effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal
response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also
initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages
Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire
Administration.
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