Volunteer For America Volunteer for Citizen Corps today! Plan, Prepare, Prevent, Respond City of Belvidere, Illinois Citizen Corps Council 119 South State Street Belvidere, Illinois 61008 www.ci.belvidere.il.us phone: 815-547-5210 fax: 815-544-3060 hrbelvidere@cs.com MISSION: The mission of the Belvidere Citizen Corps Council is to facilitate and train the local citizenry who wish to volunteer 2 years or the equivalent of 4000 hours in a lifetime to the service of others as a result of President Bush's Freedom Corps initiative. GOALS: The goal of the Belvidere Citizen Corps Council is to establish Belvidere as the standard for Citizen Corps Councils and to have a pool of trained citizens who will be able to respond quickly and decisively in any type of emergency, not only in our community but be prepared to deploy to other communities of the state, nation, or world if needed. OBJECTIVES: The Belvidere Citizen Corps will coordinate with the Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Homeland Security, Belvidere Fire Department, Belvidere and Boone County Law Enforcement agencies, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Belvidere Family YMCA, ALERTA, General Mills/Green Giant and State Representatives to insure that programs are meaningful and ongoing. The Citizen Corps Council will build on programs that public safety agencies already have in effect and will work to enhance the Neighborhood Watch program, the Community Emergency Response Teams, and the Volunteers in Police Service programs. The Citizen Corps Council will work closely with the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association to establish schedules for CPR training, fire safety training, disaster preparedness and other life saving skills. The Citizen Corps Council will work with the Emergency Management Agency to train volunteers in emergency response and disaster preparedness techniques. The Citizen Corps Council will work to obtain grant monies from state and federal sources, as well as local businesses in order to provide a training facility and to fund training and operaŽtional expenses associated with the programs. The Citizen Corps Council will work with the local YMCA organization to insure that teens and youth have an opportunity to volunteer and contribute to their community in meaningful ways. The Citizen Corps Council will continue to recruit volunteers and organizations who wish to participate. Belvidere Volleyball Lady Bucs, Ashley Pickel, Sarah Hill, and Brittney Oblinger perform beautifully during roadway cleanup The Mayor will appoint an individual who will be Citizen Corps Coordinator who will work closely with the Mayor in all aspects of the Council and will oversee all administrative aspects of the programs. The Coordinator will establish a database for tracking volunteers, refer volunteers to the appropriate agency, facilitate training and assist in the orientation of the volunteers. The Citizen Corps Council will hold meetings each month at the outset and then quarŽterly after June 1, 2002 and will hold a miniŽmum of one (1) community event per year to attract volunteers. These guidelines for meetŽings will remain in effect until or unless the Council otherwise receives direction from FEMA or the Office of Homeland Security. The American Red Cross provides hand-on demonstrations for many of their classes that teach life saving skill that volunteers can learn. The following are examples of how citizens can engage in volunteer opportunities that support the efforts of the Citizen Corps. This is by no means an exhaustive list but is intended to give you some ideas for getting involved. Neighborhood Watch Program Arrange for home security inspections by crime prevention officers to identify security vulnerabilities. Upgrade locks, security hardware, and lighting Train family members to keep valuables secure and lock windows and doors when leaving the house. Train family members on identifying suspicious behaviors that could indicate terrorist activity. Ask neighbors to watch for suspicious activities when you're on vacation or away from home. Organize a block WATCH group to assist child dren, elderly, and other especially vulnerable persons if they appear to be distressed, in danger or lost. Organize meetings with neighborhood groups and trained crime prevention offices to discuss security needs and crime prevention strategies. Obtain and study information materials from the National Sheriffs Association, the National Crime PrevenŽ tion Council, and local law enforcement agencies. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Staff a community education booth at community events Identify safety needs and vulnerable individuals in your neighborhood. Distribute disaster education material in your neighborhood. Assist with writing and distribution a CERT newsletter Help organize drills, activities, and supplemental training for your team. Participate in a speaker's bureau to schools and clubs Assist emergency management officials and fire departments with installing smoke alarms and other special projects Help with CERT administrative duties by maintaining databases, helping with class registration, and assisting with class logistics. Organize recognition activities for volunteers After CERT training, assist in evacuation, shef- ter management, donations management, care of respond- ers at fires or emergencies, mass care of victims from a large event, damage assessment, and perimeter control Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Take police reports Make follow-up telephone calls to victims Conduct fingerprinting Fire Department Become a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services technician Offer to help the fire department in fund raising efforts Help with correspondence, public outreach, and records management Assist the fire department and fire prevention experts with fire prevention and education in your neighborhood, place of business, schools, and commu- nity organizations. Assist the department with food and water Learn a new Skill Take a CPR class Take a babysitting class Take a water safety class Take a preparedness course Help your Community Become Better Prepared Distribute literature about tornado safety Distribute literature about flood safety Distribute literature about personal and family preparedness.