geting involved locally

i want to get involved and help my community but was told i casn not unless i am a certified ems or fire fighter or police?? we have a FEMA  shelter in nacogdoches but i can not help with anything?? my business is registered JTHammond Ministries and i still can not get any info or help to get involved helping my community.   thanks  thomas l. hammond jr.

Good morning, Thomas:

Thank you for joining the National Preparedness Month Coalition, and for your desire to help others.  FEMA has several preparedness programs that help citizens learn to take care of themselves and their families, and also to assist first responders.  These volunteer programs are under the umbrella of the Citizen Corps:  www.citizencorps.gov   The CERT program (Community Emergency Response Team) teaches simple medical care, triage, search and rescue, cribbing, fire suppression and other skills.  You can learn more about CERT at: www.citizencorps.gov/cert    Our records show that there is a Citizen Corps Council in Nacogdoches.  Please email me directly for the point-of-contact for the Council--shari.brand@«hidden»

I hope this helps,

Shari

Shari Brand, Community Preparedness Officer, FEMA Region VI