| Main Menu | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Citizen Corps seeks volunteers |
|
|
|
| Written by Danetta Barker | |
| Wednesday, 18 November 2009 | |
|
By Danetta Barker Editor Since the attacks on the world Trade Center towers Sept. 11, 2001, America has looked at security with different eyes. No longer are heads buried in the sand with murmurs of “that can’t happen to us.” To make Americans more aware of security and safety in any emergency, Buffalo Trace Area Development District is sponsoring the Citizens Corps. Launched in 2002 by Pres. George H. Bush, the corps trains citizens to assist first responders in the event of an emergency. That can be any emergency such as recent ice storms, according to Wayne Muse, who is working with the program. “This was co-founded through FEMA and is a way to train people to provide services in an emergency,” Muse said. Muse is working with Tyler Moran of the Fleming County health Department to make resident of Fleming County aware of the program. Citizen Corps partners are Volunteers in Police service, Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch, community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps and Fire Corps. “The program uses retired people with background in these areas as well as training new volunteers,” Muse said. No background in either are is required. The only requirement is to be at least 18 years old. “In CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team, you are trained to take of yourself first, look at your neighbor, then go from there,” Muse said. He used the ice storm in January as an example. “If you have power and telephone, everyone is OK then you need to check on your neighbor who might need help,” Muse said. Volunteers also taught how to turn of gas and electric plus basic first aid. While first responders, fire fighters, emergency medical teams and police officers are the professionals called during an emergency, Muse said the first person to provide assistance or perform a rescue at the scene is usually a bystander, victim or family member. If those people are trained as Citizen Corps volunteers then they can assess the situation and pass along important information to first responders. According to Muse less than one percent of the population is an emergency responder. Citizens Corps gives people the opportunity to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes and their communities safer from threats of crime, terrorism and disaster of all kinds, according to information from FEMA. Muse said the Medical Reserve Corps is often made up of retired medical professionals, both nurses and doctors. “A good example of they can do is the swine flu,” Muse said. “If there is the need they can assist in giving vaccines.” Muse wants the community to have information about Citizen Corps before a training program begins in January. After completing training volunteers are given supplies to help them help others. “Our mission 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 disaster of all kinds,” he said. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
| Polls |
|---|