Fire Corps
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Homeland Security Department Announces Fire Corps Volunteer Program Will Allow Firefighters to Enhance Primary Responsibility of Protecting Communities (Washington, DC) May, 6, 2004 Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced $570,000 to establish and coordinate a new Citizen Corps volunteer program - Fire Corps which will provide individuals with opportunities to support their local fire departments by volunteering their time and talent to assist with activities not related directly to fire suppression. During his 2002 State of the Union address, President Bush called upon every American to dedicate two years or the equivalent of 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime in volunteer service to others. Each year, volunteers play an important role in Americas communities by helping to prevent, prepare and respond to disaster and emergency situations of all kinds, including threats of terrorism. Modeled after the International Association of Chiefs of Polices Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program, Fire Corps expands opportunities for citizen volunteers to answer the Presidents call to service and provide direct volunteer support to local fire stations throughout the country. This program will strengthen community fire services by providing volunteer support for activities not directly related to fire suppression so that fire fighters can dedicate more time for primary fire protection responsibilities,said Secretary Ridge. This represents yet another effort to make sure our communities are even more prepared for emergencies. Fire Corps will be administered through a partnership between the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Volunteer and Combination Officer's Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the U.S. Fire Administration. Volunteer opportunities may include assisting fire department personnel with administrative duties, performing education and outreach efforts to encourage fire safety and prevention, supporting CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training so more individuals are trained in emergency preparedness and basic response techniques, and other non-suppression activities unique to rural and urban areas. Fire Corps will be guided by a National Advisory Panel representing first responders, community leaders and members of national fire service and volunteer organizations in order to develop and coordinate a comprehensive volunteer program that will meet specific needs within the fire services community. The Fire Corps National Advisory Panel will provide participating fire departments with information about how to form or enhance a citizen volunteer program within a fire department, best practices relating to volunteer management capacity and recruitment, and additional resources available through Citizen Corps. Coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security, Citizen Corps provides local opportunities for all Americans to participate in hometown security and community/family preparedness through public education and outreach, training opportunities, and volunteer programs to support local first responders. Through a nationwide network of more than 1,100 local Citizen Corps Councils, Citizen Corps brings together the homeland security expertise of emergency responders with the energy and spirit of volunteer programs, the private sector, and other community stakeholders to engage everyone in America in making our nation safer. In addition to the four charter Citizen Corps Programs, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service, as well as the Department's citizen preparedness Ready campaign, Citizen Corps also partners with 17 additional affiliates to help coordinate a range of volunteers opportunities in which citizens can participate. |