1200 Hours, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007: Firefighters, paramedics, police and disaster specialists are always at the forefront when a crisis strikes. But there is an equally important role that must be filled in just about any emergency situation: citizen volunteer.
Volunteers can support first responders by providing storm reports in their communities, initiating search and rescue efforts before help arrives or administering initial first aid to victims.
Now there’s a program in the works to tap into Sussex County’s volunteer spirit.
The Delaware Citizen Corps, with cooperation from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, announced this summer its plan to establish a countywide Citizen Corps Council for the residents of Sussex County.
That council would look for ways to create smaller, community-based groups to educate residents in a variety of skills so they could support emergency responders during disasters.
President George W. Bush created Citizen Corps in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a way for everyday people to become more involved in the emergency preparedness of their communities. Administered by and funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state and local councils are established to coordinate training programs and launch volunteer initiatives to help communities and their citizens in times of crisis.
Volunteers can join a variety of programs, such as Community Emergency Response Teams, Volunteers in Police Service, Neighborhood Watches, Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps and the Communications Corps. Volunteers learn a variety of skills depending on the corps that they join, such as the proper use of fire extinguishers, limited search and rescue techniques, basic first aid and emergency communications terminology.
“Citizen Corps allows the public the opportunity to get involved in activities such as training and public education, to better prepare communities to respond to an emergency situation,” said Joseph Thomas, director of the Sussex County EOC. “Through Citizen Corps, volunteers would be in the community to assist with providing us status reports on conditions in those areas, leading damage assessment teams in the affected areas, as well as providing other volunteer assistance in support of responders.”
“They could be a tremendous asset to us in times of need,” Mr. Thomas added.
Jamie Tuner, director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, said emergency preparedness and response extends beyond government. The effort starts with the people.
“It is imperative that the residents of Sussex County take an active part in helping protect themselves and their communities,” Mr. Turner said. “Citizen Corps is a mechanism to do just that at the local level.”
Sussex County Council on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, gave its approval for the Sussex EOC to work with DEMA and local residents to form a Sussex County Citizen Corps Council.
Anyone interested in volunteering through Delaware Citizen Corps or becoming a part of the local council can call Bob George or Marny McLee at (302) 659-2243.