Citizen Corps
Uniting Communities - Preparing the Nation
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Get Involved
Citizen Corps Partner Programs and Affiliate Organizations offer local opportunities for individuals to get involved in their community to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety. Below are 4 ways to get involved in the safety and preparedness of your community.
1. Volunteer with Community Organizations
- Get CERT trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations and support the response efforts of local response agencies.
- Get trained in CPR and Basic First Aid and volunteer to help mass care and sheltering operations at your local American Red Cross Chapter.
- Find a volunteer opportunity with a Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster at NVOAD.org.
- Search for local volunteer oppotunities at Serve.gov, and HandsOn Network.org.
- Get trained and volunteer with Medical Reserve Corps to provide support during a public health emergency.
- Get trained and certified as an emergency radio operator with American Radio Relay League.
- Support community safety and security by getting trained and involved in Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service.
- Volunteer to support local fire departments through Fire Corps.
- Are you a military veteran and still have the itch to serve? Find opportunities on the Veterans Active in Citizen Corps page.
2. Serve On Your Local Citizen Corps Council
Contact your local Citizen Corps Council inquire about opportunities for you or your organization can serve on your local Council. Citizen Corps Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps preparedness programs and carry out a local strategy to involve government, community leaders, and citizens in all-hazards preparedness and resilience.
Citizen Corps Council activities may include:
- Educate community about disaster preparedness measures
- Implement public education and outreach efforts
- Provide training to improve citizen preparedness
- Promote the importance of making personal, family and work emergency plans
- Coordinate volunteer opportunities that support local emergency efforts
- Coordinate citizen participation in community disaster response activities
3. Teach Others to Be Prepared
Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community.
Our Partners also offer Instructional Materials for Trainers and Educators:
- Ready Classroom- Ready Campaign
- Home Safety Tools for Teachers- Home Safety Council
- Crime Prevention Presentations- National Crime Prevention Council
- Community Disaster Educator Certification- American Red Cross
- Safety At Work, At Home and On The Road- National Safety Council
- Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - Operation HOPE
4. Start a Neighborhood Preparedness Project
"What's our plan?" Help prepare your neighborhood by starting an emergency preparedness project that is designed to help your community identify local hazards and work together to solve problems.
5 Step Community Preparedness Project
- Identify local resources.
- Build a team.
- Set goals.
- Serve your community.
- Record and share succeses.
For detailed information on starting a community preparedness project, review the Community Preparedness Toolkit on Serve.gov.
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