Citizen Corps
Volunteer service

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What is Citizen Corps?

Citizen Corps is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. We all have a role to play in keeping our communities across America safer, stronger, and better prepared. 
 

Citizen Corps Mission

The mission of Broward County Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.
 

Broward County Citizen Corps Council

The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils.  These Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps preparedness programs and carry out a local strategy to involve their community.  The Broward County Citizen Corps Council welcomes individuals and community organizations in joining this effort. 
 
Broward County’s Emergency Management Division serves as the host agency for the Council and closely collaborates on projects with all Citizen Corps programs.  Through mutual partnerships, everyone can do something to help make our families and our communities safer through: 
  • Personal responsibility: Developing a household preparedness plan and disaster supplies kits, observing home health and safety practices, implementing disaster mitigation measures, and participating in crime prevention and reporting.
  • Training: Taking classes in emergency preparedness, response capabilities, first aid, CPR, fire suppression, and search and rescue procedures.
  • Volunteer service: Engaging individuals in volunteer activities that support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety organizations.  Everyone can do something to support local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, community public health efforts, and the four stages of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.

Citizen Corps Programs & Partners


Broward County and many of its municipalities have established Community Emergency Response Teams, also known as CERT, to respond in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. Nationally, the CERT program is a network of community teams trained by professionals to take care of themselves in the first days following a major disaster. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security administers the program. With basic skills training, these teams will be able to prepare their homes and neighborhoods before the disaster, and immediately assist those in distress once the danger has passed. CERT Programs in Broward County 

The Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to enhance the capacity of resource-constrained fire and rescue departments at all levels: volunteer, combination, and career. Citizen advocates can assist local fire departments in a range of activities including fire safety outreach, youth programs, and administrative support. Fire Corps provides resources to assist fire and rescue departments in creating opportunities for citizen advocates and promotes citizen participation. Fire Corps is funded by the Department of Homeland Security and is managed and implemented through a partnership between the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  

National Neighborhood Watch provides information, training and resources to citizens and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Neighborhood Watch programs have expanded beyond their ​traditional crime prevention role to help neighborhoods focus on disaster preparedness, emergency response and terrorism awareness. USAonWatch-Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriffs' Association in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. 

​The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program strengthens communities by helping medical, public health and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need. MRC volunteers work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs and also supplement existing community public health initiatives, such as outreach and prevention, immunization programs, blood drives, case management, care planning, and other efforts. The MRC program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.​ 

Volunteers i​n Police Service (VIPS)​ works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. VIPS serves as a gateway to resources and information for and about law enforcement volunteer programs. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, VIPS is managed and implemented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

 

Citizen Corps Affiliate Programs & Organizations

Affiliate Programs and Organizations offer communities resources for public education, outreach, and training; represent volunteers interested in helping to make their community safer; or offer volunteer service opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief activities, and community safety efforts.
  • American Association of Community Colleges
  • The American Legion 
  • The American Legion Auxiliary
  • American Red Cross
  • American Radio Relay League
  • Association of Public Television Stations
  • Civil Air Patrol
  • E9-1-1 Institute
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Home Safety Council
  • Jaycees
  • Meals on Wheels Association of America
  • Mercy Medical Airlift
  • MyGoodDeed.org
  • National Association for Search and Rescue
  • National Crime Prevention Council
  • National Fire Protection Association
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • National Safety Council
  • National Volunteer Fire Council
  • National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
  • Operation HOPE, Inc.
  • Points of Light Institute and the HandsOn Network
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • United States Power Squadrons
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars

Additional Information:

 

For more information about the Broward County Citizen Corps Council and Citizen Corps programs call the Broward Emergency Management Division at (954)-831-3900.​​​​​​