About Citizen Corps
Following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, state and
local government officials have increased opportunities for citizens to
become an integral part of protecting the homeland and supporting the local
first responders. Officials agree that the formula for ensuring a more secure
and safer homeland consists of preparedness, training, and citizen involvement
in supporting first responders. In January 2002, President George W. Bush
launched USA Freedom Corps, to capture the spirit of service that has emerged
throughout our communities following the terrorist attacks.
Citizen Corps, a vital component
of USA Freedom Corps, was created to help coordinate volunteer activities
that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond
to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate
in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities
safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.
Citizen Corps programs build
on the successful efforts that are in place in many communities around the
country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Programs that started
through local innovation are the foundation for Citizen Corps and this national
approach to citizen participation in community safety.
Citizen Corps is coordinated
nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In this capacity,
FEMA works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments,
first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the
White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps.
The Ohio Community Service Council,
in partnership with Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Volunteer
Center Association, the Ohio Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Directors
Association (RSVP – a national and community service program) and
Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), received a federal grant
of $450,000 from the Corporation for National and Community Service to launch
Citizen Corps in Ohio. Citizen Corps, a component of President Bush’s
USA Freedom Corps, is grounded in the belief that there are appropriate
roles for volunteers in making their communities safer, stronger, and better
prepared to prevent and handle threats of crime, disasters and terrorism.
Citizen Corps programs include: Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP), Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT), Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and
the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
The Structure
The Ohio Citizen Corps Council, a member of the State of Ohio Security Task Force (SOSTF), represents key agencies and organizations concerned with public safety, preparedness and response. This group is comprised of representatives from State Agencies and Voluntary Organizations
Click here to view entire roster!
County-level Citizen Corps Councils bring together the first responder community and volunteers from the public and private sectors to offer local training in preparedness, prevention, response and recovery to individuals and groups.This trained citizenry, in partnership with emergency personnel, helps to meet the Citizen Corps mission: creating a culture of preparedness to make neighborhoods and communities safer and more secure in the event of emergencies or disasters. Eighty-two (82) of Ohio's 88 counties are currently represented by a Citizen Corps Council.
Support for these initiatives is available at each level of activity.Statewide efforts are coordinated through Ohio Citizen Corps staff including Project Directors, Database Administrator and Public Information Officer. Lead Volunteer Center Coordinators offer technical assistance, resources and training to the eight Homeland Security Regions and their registered county Citizen Corps Councils/Medical Reserve Corps.