Citizen Corps is the component of USA Freedom Corps that creates opportunities for individuals to help their communities prepare for and respond to emergencies. 
 

The Citizen Corps goal is to have citizens participate in making their communities safer, stronger and better prepared for preventing and handling threats of terrorism, crime and disasters of all kinds. 
 

Major disasters in a community can overload the capability of first responders, especially during the first 12 to 72 hours of the response. Having citizens who are better prepared to take care of themselves and others during times of crisis will allow first responders to focus their efforts on the most critical, life-threatening situations. 
 

The Citizen Corps will provide the community with a well-trained, readily available pool of local people who know their community and who can help during the critical time when outside assistance has not yet arrived.
 

In addition, there are many tasks that a well-trained and organized group of volunteers could perform on an ongoing basis that would free up licensed health professionals so that they could focus more on immediate emergency response needs and less on the routine or administrative aspects of their responsibilities. 

After September 11, 2001, America witnessed a wellspring of selflessness and heroism. People across the country asked, "What can I do?" and "How can I help?" The Citizen Corps was created to answer these questions by promoting our personal responsibilities for preparedness and by providing training and volunteer opportunities.

The White House established the Citizen Corps as part of the USA Freedom Corps in 2002. Citizen Corps coordinated its activities through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until October 1, 2003, when it was transferred to the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP now the Office of Grants and Training) as part of the FY 04 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

Led by state and local Citizen Corps Councils, Citizen Corps implementation is tailored to the community and focuses on community-specific public education and outreach, training and volunteer opportunities.

Macon County Citizen Corps Mission

Harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make Macon County safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to public health emergencies.

You can participate in this mission through your:

• Personal Responsibility: Have you own personal preparedness plan, disaster supply kit, home safety practices, disaster mitigation
• Training: Take classes in emergency preparedness and response, first aid, and public health and safety
• Volunteer Service: Sign up to assist local emergency response organizations

Citizen Corps Responsibilities

• Build on community strengths to develop strategic plans for the community, including special needs groups
• Focus on public education, training and volunteer opportunities for community and family safety
• Ensure citizens are connected to emergency alert systems.
• Promote Citizen Corps programs
• Provide opportunities for special skills and interests
• Organize special projects and community events
• Capture best practices and report accomplishments

Citizen Corps Community Benefits

• Greater sense of security, responsibility and personal control
• Community pride, unity and patriotism
• Risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness
• Readiness to help others in a crisis

Frequently Asked Questions about CC Volunteers - FAQ's

I am ready to become an CC Volunteer. (Click on Link Below)