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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