2009 Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award Serving a Population Under 1.5 million

Denton County Citizen Corps Council (TX)
The Denton County Citizen Corps Council also serves as the county's Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and membership is made up of businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, emergency management, public health, government, and the general public. Throughout the past year, Council members participated in public outreach drills, exercises, and collaboration on establishing a CERT/MRC Area's Command Center to better integrate volunteer response capabilities. The MRC unit led the Prepared Denton County Campaign and CERT distributed "Know What To Do" regional preparedness materials. In addition, the Council worked hard to ensure that the Fire Corps, CERT, MRC, and VOAD units are written into Denton's Emergency Operations Plan and performed preparedness outreach to hearing impaired, learning disabled, obese, physically challenged and economically disadvantaged, seniors and cultural diverse peoples in their communities. In 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike tested the Council's resiliency as CERT and MRC volunteers were called upon to manage the Denton Shelter, made sure all populations' needs were addressed and coordinated with the Gainesville Zoo to accommodate pets, including two elephants. Council programs also joined forces to create an information desk and an 800 number to help the hurricane evacuees.