FEMA And The National Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster Partner In Citizen Corps
Release Date: May 14, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-117
Bismarck, ND -- Under Secretary Michael D. Brown of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate today announced an official affiliation between the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and President Bush's Citizen Corps initiative. At the Annual NVOAD Conference in Bismarck, ND, an affiliate partnership was signed between NVOAD and Citizen Corps to raise public awareness about emergency preparedness, first aid and disaster response training, and disaster-related volunteer service activities of NVOAD member organizations through the national, state and local Citizen Corps Councils.
"Everyone can take part in emergency preparedness, first aid and disaster response training in their community. The affiliation between Citizen Corps and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster will help bring that message to the American people," Brown said. "I look forward to working with NVOAD to expand the role citizens play within their community to make our nation safer and better prepared than ever before."
The agreement adds NVOAD as an affiliate to the four charter Citizen Corps programs: Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and Medical Reserve Corps. The NVOAD joins the National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, Save A Life Foundation, and The U.S. Junior Chamber as Citizen Corps affiliate programs.
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 and other activities that share the goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to all-hazards. Citizen Corps encourages all Americans to take an active role in building safer, stronger, and better-prepared communities.
NVOAD is a coalition of the major national voluntary organizations that have made disaster-related work a priority. With 33 years of respected experience, the NVOAD member agencies provide skilled direct services along the continuum from disaster prevention and preparation to response, recovery and mitigation. NVOAD serves its member agencies by coordinating planning efforts, enhancing response capabilities, and, when an incident occurs, facilitating comprehensive, coordinated volunteer response in partnership with emergency managers. This cooperative effort has proven to be the most effective way for a wide variety of volunteers and organizations to work together in a crisis. Throughout the year, NVOAD members work to foster cooperation, coordination, communication and collaboration among the member agencies and with government and private sector partners.
For more information on Citizen Corps and Citizen Corps Councils around the country, visit www.citizencorps.gov.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-May-2003 08:47:56