The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday announced the availability of a new U.S. Fire Administration publication specifically designed for community leaders of first responder organizations.  "The Citizen Corps Opportunities for America's First Responders" brochure provides a sampling of citizen advocate/volunteer activities that can potentially assist local fire and EMS departments.

This brochure is the result of a successful joint effort among federal, state,local, and private fire-service personnel, including FEMA and th USFA staff.

This new material contains a comprehensive list of suggested citizen volunteer activities to support fire and EMS department efforts. Also included are brief overviews of the Citizen Corps mission, initiatives, and program components, such as Community Emergency Response Team training, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers in Police Service and Neighborhood Watch, and basic information about Citizen Corps Councils.

"It is important to point out to the fire service leadership that Citizen Corps citizen advocates/volunteers do not, cannot and will not take the place of fire, rescue, or emergency medical services personnel," said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. "These Citizen Corps members supplement and support our first responders by offering to do things that emergency service first responders cannot otherwise accomplish."

The U.S. Fire Administration has a mission to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support. The USFA's role in Citizen Corps is to promote awareness and community support, and to provide technical assistance. This brochure is a valuable tool and should provide an understanding of Citizen Corps initiatives that involve America's fire and EMS departments.

The U.S. Fire Administration has a mission to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies through leadership, advocacy,
coordination and support. The USFA's role in Citizen Corps is to promote awareness and community support, and to provide technical assistance.
This brochure is a valuable tool and should provide an understanding of Citizen Corps initiatives that involve America's fire and EMS departments.
The brochure, publication number FA-263, can be obtained through the U.S. Fire Administration's Publications Online Catalog at www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/publications

Citizen Corps is part of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps initiative that is administered by the Department of Homeland Security, Office for Domestic Preparedness. It is designed to bring awareness, public education, training and volunteer opportunities to the local level so that communities are safer and better prepared to handle threats of all kinds including crime, disasters, emergencies, and terrorism.

For more information regarding Citizen Corps opportunities for America's first responders, contact Marjean Meyer, Fire Program Specialist, Citizen and Community Preparedness Branch, at (301) 447-1871 or by e-mail at marjean.meyer@dhs.gov.