Citizen Corps Program Partners

CERT - Is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of an emergency.  During an emergency, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away.  By being CERT trained, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.

As a member of a CERT team, you can respond to emergencies, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional emergency preparedness training.  CERT teams are known and trusted resources to emergency responders and their communities.  www.citizencorps.gov/programs/cert.shtm

VIPS - (Volunteers in Police Services) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. VIPS serves as a gateway to resources and information for and about law enforcement volunteer programs. Funded by DOJ, VIPS is managed and implemented by International Association of Chiefs of Police.  www.citizencorps.gov/programs/vips.shtm

Fire Corps - promotes the use of citizen advocates to enhance the capacity of resource-constrained fire and rescue departments at all levels: volunteer, combination, and career. Citizen advocates can assist local fire departments in a range of activities including fire safety outreach, youth programs, and administrative support. Fire Corps provides resources to assist fire and rescue departments in creating opportunities for citizen advocates and promotes citizen participation. Fire Corps is funded through DHS and is managed and implemented through a partnership between the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  www.firecorps.org

Medical Reserve Corps - strengthens communities by helping medical, public health and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need. MRC volunteers work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs and also supplement existing community public health initiatives, such as outreach and prevention, immunization programs, blood drives, case management, care planning, and other efforts. The MRC program is administered by HHS. www.citizencorps.gov/programs/medical.shtm

Neighborhood Watch - incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission, while also serving as a way to bring residents together to focus on emergency preparedness and emergency response training. Funded by DOJ, Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriffs' Association. www.citizencorps.gov/programs/watch.shtm