Citizen Corps is the grass-roots movement that actively involves everyone in
making our communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared. We
all have a role to play in keeping our hometowns safe and secure and Citizen
Corps helps you to prepare, train, and volunteer.
What can I do to help my family and my community?
You can take simple steps to be prepared for emergencies, get trained in
basic first aid, and volunteer to help local emergency responders. Here are some
ways you can get involved through your local Citizen Corps Council:
- Prepare yourself and your family; get a kit, make a family plan, and be
informed about potential threats and emergencies. To learn more about how
you can prepare, visit www.ready.gov.
- Get connected to disaster volunteer groups through your Citizen Corps
Council, so that if something happens, you can help in an organized manner.
- Join a
Neighborhood Watch group
to help with crime prevention, terrorism awareness, and neighborhood
emergency preparedness.
- Learn about volunteer opportunities to support law enforcement through
the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS)
program.
- Join a
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to help people immediately
after a disaster and to assist emergency responders whenever needed.
- Volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps to provide public health and
medical support throughout the year and during emergencies.
- Provide fire safety and prevention education in the community and help
out at your local fire station through Fire Corps.
- Participate in local emergency training and exercises.
- Help others get prepared, especially those with special needs.
What kind of training should I take?
In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or a bystander provides the
first immediate assistance on the scene. Through the Citizen Corps programs and
affiliates, you can prepare for emergencies by getting training in basic first
aid and in emergency response skills.
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