Citizen Corps of Schuylkill County

The mission of Citizen Corps 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 disasters of all kinds.

Everyone can do something to help make our families and our communities safer through:

Personal responsibility:  Developing a household preparedness plan and disaster supplies kits, observing home health and safety practices, implementing disaster mitigation measures, and participating in crime prevention and reporting.

Training:  Taking classes in emergency preparedness, response capabilities, first aid, CPR, fire suppression, and search and rescue procedures.

Volunteer service:  Engaging individuals in volunteer activities that support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety organizations. Everyone can do something to support local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, community public health efforts, and the four stages of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.

The Citizen Corps Council of Schuylkill County was first created by appointment of the Schuylkill County Board on Commissioners on August 25, 2005.

In April 2006, the Citizen Corps Council of Schuylkill County set the following goals in order to better coordinate the preparedness efforts of our County.

Long Term Objectives

Coordination
The Council will ensure that all planning is coordinated and integrated with the County Emergency Operations Plan and regional plans to provide an integrated public preparedness plan for Schuylkill County.

Public Education for Emergency Preparedness
The Council will develop a public education plan that seeks to ensure that all members of the community understand emergency procedures. The plan will focus on ways to help residents take an active role in protecting themselves and to teach residents what to do in the case of an emergency.

Community Involvement for Emergency Preparedness
The Council will develop and coordinate a volunteer initiative and community involvement program to support public emergency preparedness. The Council will plan and develop volunteer and non-profit programs that mitigate and respond to emergencies; and programs that effectively manage volunteers who offer assistance in the midst of an emergency. The Council will match the needs of the first responders with the skills and abilities of volunteers.

Management of Community Resources for Disaster Response
The Council will identify specific community assets and develop systems to ensure that emergency planning and response make effective use of all organizational and individual community resources including voluntary donations of personnel services, goods, and financial contributions.

Action Plan
Public Education and Outreach
  • Attend community events and provide emergency preparedness information through public display to the general public.
  • Provide emergency preparedness outreach and presentations to community groups, including elderly, children, and citizens with special needs.
  • Update Council page on EMA website with current emergency preparedness information.
  • Provide brochures and newsletters to be displayed in public buildings to assist in educating the public.
  • Coordinate with the local media to provide public service announcements when applicable.
Training
  • Coordinate training efforts through local emergency management coordinators and emergency services to ensure that training is provided to interested citizens at the municipal level to assist in establishing local CERT teams.
  • Coordinate training with American Red Cross and other groups to ensure that training is provided to interested citizens.
  • Continue to expand the pool of trainers and provide train the trainer courses and continuing education to these individuals.
  • Promote other training opportunities to interested citizens.
Planning
  • Coordinate and promote VOAD group within Schuylkill County.
  • Establish list of agencies and organizations that can provide resources and manpower during a disaster.
  • Coordinate quarterly meeting of VOAD group and participation in training and exercises.
  • Assist with the development of emergency operations plans for agencies and organizations.
  • Assist with updating Mass Care Shelter plans and identify new facilities.
  • Assist with implementing Strategic National Stockpile plan for Schuylkill County.
  • Establish system to recruit and retain volunteers and volunteer opportunities.
  • Establish plan to coordinate spontaneous volunteers and donations.
  • Provide opportunities for agencies and volunteers to utilize their skills, resources, and training during exercises to better prepare to disaster response.
  • Coordinate efforts and share resources with other counties within the region.

Additional information on Citizen's Corps may be found on-line at the following site.