City of Belvidere VOLUNTEER FOR CITIZEN CORPS VOLUNTEER FOR AMERICA Principal Participants Frederic C. Brerefon, Mayor Nancy L. H. Laurent, Citizen Corps Coordinator Boone County Emergency Management Agency Boone County Sheriff's Offics Eetvtdere Poifce Department Belvidere Fire Deparlmenf American Red Cross, Sock River Chapter ALERTA General Mills/Green Giant Textron CamCar Contents: Mission Goals & Objectives Citizen Corps Kickoff Community Event Pictorial City of Belvidere Experience Volunteer Opportunities Page from City of Belvidere Web Site Insert-Citizen Corps Volunteer Application Form Insert-Sample Report from Database b Site: www.ci.belvidere.il.us Mlission, Goals, and Objectives Belvidere Citizen Corps Council MISSION: The mission of the Belvidere Citizen Corps Council is to facilitate and train the local citizenry who wish to volulteer 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 the Belvidere Council as the leader in the State of Illinois and to have a pool of trained citizens who will be better informed and better prepared to act quickly id decisively in any type of emergency, not only in our community but be prepared to deploy to other commu-ities of the state, nation, or world if needed. OBJECTIVES: The Belvidere Citizen Corps will coordinate with the Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Homeland ecurity, Belvidere Fire Department, Belvidere and Boone County Law Enforcement agencies, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Belvidere Family YMCA, ALERT A, General Mills/Green Giant, Textron Cam-;ar 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 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 remodel a city-owned building as a training facility and may finance some of the costs 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 a meaningful way. 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 quarterly after June 1, 2002 and will hold a minimum of one (1) community event per year to attract volunteers. These guidelines for meetings will remain in effect until or unless the Council otherwise receives direction from FEMA or the Office of Homeland Security. Site: www.ci.belvidere.il.us City of Belvidere Citizen Corps Experience The day after President Bush delivered his State of the Union Address, we began establishment of the City of Belvidere Citizen Corps. We initially contacted the Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Boone County Emergency Management Agency, the Boone County Sheriffs Department, the Belvidere Police Department, the Belvidere Fire Department, the Belvidere YMCA, a representative from the local seniors organization, ALERTA, a local Latino organization, (our population is over 20% Latino), and representatives from 2 of our local industries, Pillsbury/Green Giant and Daimler/Chrysler to determine if they were interested in the Citizen Corps concept. Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful concept, so a meeting was planned for February for strategy discussion. In March we met to plan what would be our mission, .goals and objectives and planned a community event to attract volunteers. We held a working luncheon and press conference to announce the establishment of the Citizen Corps and the upcoming community event. We then began a media blitz in which the Red Cross was instrumental in helping us to obtain an enormous amount of television and radio coverage. We prepared flyers and brochures that were displayed in local businesses to announce and advertise the event. Mayor Brereton taped a Public Service Announcement that was aired on the local cable outlet with numerous showings and he appeared on various radio and television shows to talk about Belvidere Citizen Corps and what we hope to accomplish. Our event was covered in local newspapers as a community news item and we also paid for a separate advertisement. It was held on May 9, 2002 with what we consider to be a very successful turnout with over 100 people in attendance. We set up the event in convention format with a formal presentation and video at the beginning. Afterwards, the attendees were invited to browse the booths to speak with a representative of the agencies to discuss volunteer opportunities and obtain literature about the agency. We have established a data base to track the volunteer^much the same as for an employee with days and time available, special certification/licenses, training received, training required, interests, etc. Since the May event, we have signed up 2 cadets in the Explorer Post, scheduled CERT training, begun a regular schedule of CPR training, conducted orientation for Red Cross Programs. The YMCA had 25 Youth Citizen Corps volunteers conduct a car wash and raised $340 which they donated to the Salvation Army. At the car wash, they distributed the Disaster Preparedness Guide, window decals for the '"Drive 25, Keep Kids Alive" campaign and literature for Red Cross programs such as training for baby sitting, CPR, and water safety. The YMCA youth plan to distribute literature to homes this summer about safety, preparedness and other life skills for which citizens can train. The Police Chief has recruited from this pool of individuals for our Auxiliary Police and is planning to enhance the Community Watch programs already in effect. We recognized those volunteers who have completed various training programs and the teen programs at a community event by presenting them to the community on a Citizen Corps float at Heritage Day Parade on June 30, 2002. We plan to refurbish and modernize a training facility with monies from a $25,000 grant from General Mills/Green Giant. We have also received a donation of a portable deliberator unit from the Textron CamCar Corporation and plan to train individuals in it's use. We realize that attracting and training volunteers is not an end-all, but is an ongoing project that will require diligence and imagination. We will strive to find new ways to attract new volunteers and make volunteering for the Belvidere Citizen Corps a meaningful experience. Page 5 City of Belvidei Opportunities for Citizen Corps Volunteers 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 children, 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 Prevention 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 maintaininf databases, helping with class registration, and assisting with class logistics. Organize recognition activities for volunteers After CERT training, assist in evacuation, shelter management, donations management, care of responders at fires or emergencies, mass care of victims from a large event, damage assessment, anc perimeter control Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Take police reports Make follow-up telephone calls to victims Conduct fingerprinting Engage in crowd/parking control at special events/emergencies Participate in patrols of parking lot patrol at special events 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 community organizations. Assist the department with food and water for major fires. CITIZEN CORPS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM CITY OF BELVIDERE 119 SOUTH STATE STREET BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS PHONE (815) 544-2612, FAX (815) 544-3060 PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION. RETURN FORM TO HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR DATE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TITLE MR. MRS MS (Optional) LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MIDDLE INITIAL HOME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE FAX (IF APPLICABLE) HOME EMAIL ADDRESS BUSINESS NAME BUSINESS ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP BUSINESS FAX BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS (OPTIONAL) BIRTH DATE: MO DAY YR GENDER MALE FEMALE ETHNIC GROUP: AFRICAN AMERICAN NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKAN NATIVE ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HISPANIC WHITE, NON-HISPANIC OTHER Please list skills, talents & abilities In what languages are you proficient? Speak Write Translate 1. 2. Emergency Contact Name Address Emergency Contact Day-time phone Emergency Contact Night-time phone Employer Your Occupation/Title Employers Address City/State/Zip Dates Employed: From To Have you ever volunteered for the City of Belvidere before? If yes when? What position did you hold? Please list other volunteer work you have done What medical, nursing, EMT, licenses or certifications or other licenses or certifications do you hold? Do you have a valid drivers license? PLEASE COMPLETE REVERSE OF THIS FORM According to the Privacy Act of 1974, disclosure of your Social Security Number (SSN) is voluntary. The information you enter on this form is confidential and is for the purpose of records keeping for the City of Belvidere Citizen's Corps Council "PLEASE LIST TWO REFERENCES OTHER THAN FAMILY* NAME RELATIONSHIP PHONE NAME RELATIONSHIP PHONE **PLEASE MARK ALL AREAS OF INTEREST TO YOU** office Support Fund Raising community Policing Special Events Emergency Services PR/Marketing Develop Volunteers Youth PIan Development speakers Bureau Human Resources Homeless Shelter Date Mgmt Computer Support Building Maintenance Short Term Projects Teaching If you are interested in teaching, please circle the items that you would be interested in teaching. First Aid CPR Water Safety Youth, First Aid Other Fire Safety Youth, Fire Safety I wish to volunteer for the following organization (s) Belvidere YMCA ALERTA Fire Department Police Department American Red Cross/Rock River Chapter Emergency Management Agency Belvidere Senior Corps ? Youth Services (Mentoring Program) Other Assisting at disaster locations: Din the United States Din local community Din the State of Illinois Other. "WHAT TIMES ARE YOU AVAILABLE** MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING Please enter any information that is continued from items above or on the reverse of this form. Please enter any other information you wish to include with your application I understand that the above information is voluntarily supplied and is used for City of Belvidere Citizen's Corps Council volunteer placement I further understand that I am not paid for my services. I acknowledge that all the information I have disclosed herein is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Signature Date Last Name First Name DOB | SSN Address Byron City State [61010 Zip Phone# eAddress EmergencyContact DayContactPhone# Extension Night Contact Phone First Day Available 2nd Day Available Third Day Available Fouth Day Available Fifth Day Available Time Available Language Experience Current Employer Agency Drivers License Special License Certificate Interst