Citizen Corps
Uniting Communities - Preparing the Nation
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Veterans Active in Citizen Corps
FEMA honors the service of American military veterans and understands that many veterans have the innate desire to continue to serve their homeland. Citizen Corps Councils across the country encourage the public to get involved in the safety of their communities. Veterans possess unique sets of talents, skills, and experiences that make them exceptional leaders in preparing their communities for disasters and keeping their community safe.
3 ways that Veterans can continue to serve and protect their communities:
1. Volunteer to support local response agencies
- Get trained and volunteer to support your community during a disaster by joining your local Community Emergency Response Team.
- Support community safety and security by volunteering for Neighborhood Watch or Volunteers in Police Service.
- Get trained and volunteer to support the public health field via Medical Reserve Corps.
- Assist local fire departments to improve fire safety in your community via Fire Corps.
- Give blood, help military families communicate during emergencies, or learn CPR with the American Red Cross.
- Become certified so you can assist in local search and rescue efforts via the National Association of Search and Rescue.
- Get trained and volunteer with Civil Air Patrol to support aerial reconnaissance to support tactical disaster response.
- Teach courses on seamanship and boating safety via the U.S. Power Squadrons.
- Get trained and certified as an emergency radio operator with the American Radio Relay League.
- Educate others on financial literacy and financial emergency preparedness via Operation HOPE.
- Help local seniors and the disadvantaged persons during disasters by delivering meals via the Meals on Wheels Association of America.
- For more volunteer opportunites, search: Serve.gov or HandsOn Network-Points of Light Institute. Use the keywords: "preparedness" or "disaster".
2. Be an advocate for local emegency preparedness
- Educate family and friends on how to "Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed." Learn more at Ready.gov.
- Know your disaster plan and tell others about it. Encourage them to create a plan. Help each other practice your plans.
- Talk to co-workers, neighbors, school administrators, and club organizers and ask "What's our plan during a disaster?"
- Challenge your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to be prepared and direct them to helpful resources.
- Talk to your local veterans' organizations about local safety and preparedness and see how you can team up to assist local efforts. Start at Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and American Legion Auxilliary.
- Talk to your VA Medical Center or CBOC about preparedness outreach and education opportunities.
- Encourage others to complete the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.
- Give disaster preparedness presentations at schools, nursing homes, businesses and social clubs. Visit the following links for emergency preparedness educational materials:
3. Be a leader in local emergency preparedness
- Host a neighborhood meeting to identify local safety and security issues and build a more resilient community with the Community Preparedness Toolkit.
- Work with others in your community to develop a community plan to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from hazards of all kinds- fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, crime and terrorism.
- Serve on a preparedness planning committee. Contact your local Citizen Corps Council. No Council in your area? Learn how to start a Council by contacting your State Citizen Corps Program Manager and local emergency manager.
Citizen Corps is proud to be nationally affiliated with American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.