Citizen Corps CITY OF ORLANDO Training & Volunteer Opportunities Community Emergency Response Team Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), offered by the Orlando Fire Department (OFD), trains citizens to keep themselves, their families, and their neighbors safe during a disaster until professional help can arrive. Training topics include: disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, fire suppression, pre/post storm operations, and homeland security. CERT participants will complete 24 hours of training. Training dates and times are flexible. OFD also offers a daytime Senior CERT, available to citizens 55 years and older, and a Hispanic CERT training class. Citizen Fire Academy The Citizen Fire Academy, offered by the Orlando Fire Department, offers a close-up look at the complexities of the Orlando Fire Department and equips citizens with life saving information. Training topics include: first aid, CPR, fire hazards, Fire Museum tour, arson and bomb squad, emergency communications, various exercises at the Central Florida Fire Academy, and vehicle extraction. Citizens meet for three hours, one evening each week for 10 weeks. Orlando Fire Department K.I.T.S. Program K.I.T.S. (Keeping Involved Through Service), offered by the Orlando Fire Department, allows citizens an opportunity to assist Fire Department personnel by volunteering in a variety of jobs. K.I.T.S. volunteers are requested to complete an average of eight volunteer hours per month. Volunteer positions include: receptionist, assistant to the Fire Marshal, mail delivery assistant, bunker gear maintenance assistant, and Orlando Operations Center building management assistant. Citizen Police Academy The Citizen Police Academy, offered by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), introduces citizens to police work, from how to patrol neighborhoods to tactics used in high-risk incidents. Training topics include: traffic and patrol operations, communications, drugs, homicide, auto theft, robbery, special weapons and tactics, mounted horse patrol, K9, and neighborhood patrol teams. OPD also offers a daytime Senior Citizen Police Academy, available to citizens 55 years and older during the day, and a Hispanic Citizen Police Academy. Citizen Observer Program The Citizen Observer Program (COP), offered by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), is comprised of community volunteers who help OPD maintain livable neighborhoods by reducing crime. Trained COP members have specially marked vehicles, which allow them to monitor neighborhoods and alert the police to hazards and unlawful behavior. Upon completion of training, volunteers donate at least 12 hours per month patrolling neighborhoods. Volunteers in Police Service Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.P.S.), offered by the Orlando Police Department, draws on the time and talents of civilian volunteers and allows law enforcement professionals to better perform their frontline duties. Volunteer positions include: clerical support, Cop Shop assistant, Identification/fingerprinting, Mounted Patrol Unit, gun range, Orlando International Airport, COP program, and special events. Citizens for Neighborhood Watch Citizens for Neighborhood Watch (CNW), offered by the Orlando Police Department, is a program that empowers citizens to look out for suspicious activity in their neighborhood, and report that activity to law enforcement and to each other. The four-hour CNW Block Captain training will address a wide variety of crime prevention topics. Training dates and times are flexible. Hometown Security Volunteer Program The Hometown Security Volunteer Program engages citizens who have displayed strong leadership skills and a commitment to Hometown Security. Volunteers assist with neighborhood disaster planning, Citizen Corps marketing and recruitment, community events, and other administrative tasks. Pre-requisite: Citizens must complete four Citizen Corps training classes to participate in this program. Participants receive special recognition from the Mayor. SeniorLinks SeniorLinks is a grassroots initiative that promotes neighbors helping neighbors. Homeowner/neighborhood/resident associations recruit and train volunteers to identify and establish contact with seniors living in their neighborhoods. SeniorLinks volunteers distribute information to their senior neighbors, educating them about local services and programs. The SeniorLinks program provides opportunities for neighbors to get to know neighbors, intergenerational communication, neighborhood safety, and neighborhood support systems. American Red Cross of Central Florida The American Red Cross of Central Florida offers numerous and flexible training options for volunteers, including Health and Safety Instructor training, Community Disaster Education, Damage Assessment, Disaster Action Team, Disaster Health Services, Family Services, Logistics, Mass Care, Public Affairs in Disaster, Shelter Operations, and International Relief and Development. Red Cross volunteer training is free, available to people 12 years and older, and offered throughout the year—during weekends and weekdays, daytime and evenings. Join corps TODAY! Community Emergency Response Team Citizen Fire Academy Fire Department K.I.T.S. Program Vicki Robles, Orlando Fire Department, 407.246.3128 Citizen Police Academy Citizen Observer Program Volunteers in Police Service Sonya Robinson,Orlando Police Department, 407.246.2461 Citizens for Neighborhood Watch Steve Leonard,Orlando Police Department, 407.246.2369 Hometown Security Volunteer Program Micheie Brennan,Office of Communications and Neighborhood Enhancement, 407.246.3507 SeniorLinks Molly Kostenbauder.Office of Communications and Neighborhood Enhancement, 407.246.3971 American Red Cross of Central Florida Jeanelle Duncan, 407.894.4141 Visit Orlando Citizen Corps on-line at CITY OF ORLANDO.net This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National & Community Service under Grant No. 02svhfl004. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by the Corporation. Training & Volunteer Interest Form Name Adress Daytime Phone E-mail I am interested in signing up for: Community Emergency Response Team Citizen Fire Academy Orlando Fire Department K.I.T.S. Program Volunteers in Police Service Citizens for Neighborhood Watch Hometown Security Volunteer Program SeniorLinks American Red Cross of Central Florida Return to: Michele Brennan, City of Orlando Office of Communications & Neighborhood Enhancement 400 S. Orange Ave., 2nd Floor Orlando, Florida 32801-4990 This form is also available on-line at www.cityoforlando.net