FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 12, 2004
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Federal Emergency Management Agency
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FEMA Announces New Citizen Corps Publication for Leaders of First Responder Organizations |
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the
availability of a new U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) publication specifically
designed for community leaders of first responder organizations. The Citizen
Corps Opportunities for America's First Responders brochure provides a sampling
of citizen advocate/volunteer activities, which can potentially assist local
fire and EMS departments. This brochure is the result of a successful joint
effort among federal, state, local, and private fire-service personnel,
including FEMA and USFA staff.
This new material contains a comprehensive list of suggested citizen
volunteer activities to support fire and EMS department efforts. Also included
are brief overviews of the Citizen Corps mission, initiatives, and program
components, such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, Medical
Reserve Corps, Volunteers in Police Service and Neighborhood Watch, and basic
information about Citizen Corps Councils.
"It is important to point out to the fire service leadership that Citizen
Corps citizen advocates/volunteers do not, cannot, and will not take the place
of fire, rescue, or emergency medical services personnel," said U.S. Fire
Administrator R. David Paulison. "These Citizen Corps members supplement and
support our first responders by offering to do things that emergency service
first responders cannot otherwise accomplish."
The U.S. Fire Administration has a mission to reduce life and economic losses
due to fire and related emergencies through leadership, advocacy, coordination
and support. The USFA's role in Citizen Corps is to promote awareness and
community support, and to provide technical assistance. This brochure is a
valuable tool and should provide an understanding of Citizen Corps initiatives
that involve America's fire and EMS departments. The brochure, publication
number FA-263, can be obtained through the U.S. Fire Administration's
Publications Online Catalog at
www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/publications. It is also available in
PDF.
Citizen Corps is part of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps initiative that
is administered by the Department of Homeland Security, Office for Domestic
Preparedness. It is designed to bring awareness, public education, training and
volunteer opportunities to the local level so that communities are safer and
better prepared to handle threats of all kinds including crime, disasters,
emergencies, and terrorism.
For more information regarding Citizen Corps opportunities for America's
first responders, contact Marjean Meyer, Fire Program Specialist, Citizen and
Community Preparedness Branch, at (301) 447-1871 or by email at
marjean.meyer@dhs.gov.
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
the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
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