Launched in January 2002 as part of President George W. Bush’s USA Freedom Corps Initiative and coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security, Citizen Corps provides opportunities for individuals to participate in Homeland Security through education, training, and volunteering. Citizen Corps is designed to be tailored to each community and is directed at the local level by a local Citizen Corps Council which is comprised of local leaders from the following:

• Emergency Management
• Law Enforcement
• Fire-fighters
• Volunteer Agencies
• Faith-Based and Community-Based Organizations
• Media
• Business and Industry
• Health Care

Q: What is Citizen Corps?
A: Citizen Corps is a nationwide grass roots movement to actively involve everyone in America in making our communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies of all kinds. We all have a role in “hometown” security and Citizen Corps provides local opportunities for everyone to prepare, train, and volunteer!

Q: What is “hometown” security and what can citizens do to help?
A: “Hometown” security means taking an active role in making our families safer and in helping our communities be safer too. We all have the ability - and the responsibility - to be more aware of the threats we face, to prepare for all hazards, to learn the skills needed to help others in times of crisis, and to volunteer our time to support out local emergency responders.

Q: What kinds of volunteer activities does Citizen Corps provide?
A: Citizen Corps offers volunteer opportunities to support local fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, community public health efforts, and to contribute to the four stages of emergency management: preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery. With the added support of citizen volunteers, emergency service provides have more time to fulfill their highly skilled responsibilities and to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared!

Q: What are Citizen Corps Councils and what do they do?
A: Local Citizen Corps Councils bring together the homeland security expertise of our emergency responders with the energy and spirit of volunteers, the private sector, elected leadership, and other community stakeholders. These councils build on existing community resources to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to implement the Citizen Corps programs and activities tailored to the community’s threats, needs, and population.

The primary objectives of the Councils are to:
1. Educate the public on their personal responsibility to be better prepared and the important steps they should take right now.
2. Provide local training in first aid and emergency prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities.
3. Organize volunteer activities that support public education on preparedness and prevention, emergency responders, and disaster relief groups.
4. Match the needs of first responders with the skills and abilities of volunteers to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of terrorism, crime, and disasters.
5. Educate the public on safety, help citizens take an active role in protecting themselves from harm, and teach citizens what to do in the event of a crisis.
6. Spearhead efforts to offer citizens new and existing volunteer opportunities, educational informa-tion, and training courses to address crime, terrorism, and natural disaster risks.
7. Promote all Citizen Corps programs and activities across the community.
8. Capture innovative practices and report accomplishments that can be replicated in other communities nationwide.
9. Survey the community to assess increased awareness and Citizen Corps participation.

How Can I help?
Contact Talladega County EMA at (256)761-2125 or E-Mail at tcema@tcema.co.talladega.al.us