Emergency Management

and

Local Emergency Management Committee

Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster

Ozaukee County launched a Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Council in 2000.  This program became a model for similar programs around the State.  VOAD and Citizen Corps Councils are merging into a single comprehensive Council to coordinate the mobilization of local resources when disasters and other emergency threaten or strike in Ozaukee County.  The Council also serves as a conduit to mobilize resources and volunteers to our disaster stricken neighbors upon request.

 

The devastation of September 11, 2001 renewed a commitment of Americans helping each other in times of crisis.  American citizens began volunteering their time, energy and resources to help their communities by helping law enforcement, fire service, volunteering with the Red Cross and Salvation Army and other volunteer organizations.  Citizen Corps began in 2002 to help "coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation" (President George W. Bush, 2002).

 

"Securing our safety and freedom requires that we all work together.  Every American has a critical role to play.  Major disasters in a community can overload the capability of first responders, especially during the first critical 12 to 24 hours.  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 this critical time when outside assistance has not yet arrived." (Citizen Corps Manual, 2002)

 

Citizen Corps participation affords your community the following benefits:

  • Supplementing professional responders during emergencies;

  • Giving residents greater sense of security, responsibility and personal control;

  • Showcasing YOUR community's efforts in crime prevention, public safety, and emergency response;

  • Bringing volunteers and the first responder communities together to promote coordinated efforts;

  • Demonstrate YOUR leadership and personal commitment to community safety;

  • Promotes caring for ourselves, our families, and others during crisis situations;

  • Allows coordinated assistance to others during times of need!

Citizen Corps incorporates the following programs:

 

 

Volunteers in Police Service   (National Site)

Volunteers assist local law enforcement in a variety of ways.  Depending upon local agency protocols, volunteers may help in the Police agency by:

  • Relaying requests for police services to Dispatchers

  • Making follow-up phone calls

  • Conduct fingerprinting

  • Engage in crowd / parking / traffic control at special events

  • Participate in search and rescue missions

  • Participate in mounted patrols in parking lots

  • Other clerical or administrative duties as determined by the agency

Community Emergency Response Team   (National Site)

Members learn valuable skills to protect and help themselves, their families, and neighbors or coworkers in the immediate aftermath of a disaster situation.  Typically in large disasters, emergency services are overwhelmed and can't reach every person in need simultaneously.  Participants learn skills and protocols in Emergency Preparedness, Fire Safety (including how to actually use a fire extinguisher), Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, CERT Organization , and First Aid.

 

Neighborhood Watch   (National Site)

  • Home security inspections

  • Locks, security hardware and lighting recommendations

  • Identifying suspicious behavior

  • Organize block WATCH groups to assist elderly, children, and other persons in danger or distress

  • Coordinate information sharing on crime prevention strategies within your neighborhood

Wisconsin Terrorism Awareness & Prevention (WisTAP)    (State Site)

WisTAP provides a critical link to the national Operation TIPS to report suspicious and potentially terrorist related activity.  "The program involves millions of Americans who, in the daily course of their work, are in a unique position to serve as extra eyes and ears for law enforcement.  Workers such as truck drivers, bus drivers, train conductors, mail carriers, utility readers and others are ideally suited to help in the anti-terrorism efforts because their routines allow them to recognize unusual events." (Citizen Corps Manual, 2002)

 

Responding to Emergencies And Disasters with Youth (READY)    (State Site)

This Wisconsin program features a camp that provides training to middle and high school students and teachers to help them prepare and respond to disasters in their communities. The four-day camp includes the “Wisconsin, READY Leadership Reaction Course” sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and held at Volk Field. In addition, Red Cross CPR and AED training is included. (Wisconsin Citizen Corps website)

 

Medical Reserve Corps   (National Site)

During medical emergencies, licensed medical professionals can volunteer to:

  • Assess and monitor patient conditions

  • Counsel patients

  • Perform support and management activities, such as inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals, supplies, food and patient transfers

  • Administer and distribute medication

NON - licensed volunteers may assist by:

  • Distributing educational materials

  • Give immunizations (after being properly trained and authorized)

  • Provide support for community screening programs

Fire Corps   (National Site)

Provides a local information point for opportunities in Fire Service

  • Become a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services technician

  • Help the Fire Department in fundraising efforts

  • Assist the Fire Department with financial matters using your business background or special skills

  • Help prepare and distribute correspondence, public outreach and educational materials regarding fire safety and prevention

  • Serve in the Fire Department canteen services, providing food and water to responders during major fire events

Crime Prevention

Expands the Neighborhood Watch concepts to all aspects of daily life.  Incorporates  terrorism prevention and education into a community wide crime prevention program

 

Wisconsin Citizen Corps Website

 

National Citizen Corps Website

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to mfitzgerald@co.ozaukee.wi.us

121 W Main St P.O. Box 994 - Port Washington WI 53074 - Phone 262-284-9411 - Email Us