Disaster Preparedness

TAKE ACTION!

What if you were without power for days or, if in the blink of an eye, you were without shelter? Disasters can strike at any moment and can affect even the basic workings of our community. In these moments, everyone has a role to play. How will you help in an emergency?

Franklin County Citizen Corps needs your help to be prepared in the critical hours after a disaster. In Franklin County, a vast network of organizations exists to help citizens prepare for and responds to natural emergencies and man made disasters, including threats of terrorism.

EVERYONE CAN PLAY A ROLE IN COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.

Adults of all ages, skills and abilities are welcome. By planning ahead and working together we can deal swiftly with the impacts of a disaster. Join one of these volunteer groups to make a difference in an emergency.

Get Ready. Prepare. Volunteer!

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. During an incident, professional responders may not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response.

Fire Corps (FC)

By volunteering in a Fire Corps program, citizens can perform non-emergency tasks, allowing first responders to focus on necessary training and critical emergency response situations. Fire Corps also creates a connection between fire/EMS departments and the community, providing a vehicle for citizens to find out which departments in their area need help and offering resources for departments to use to alleviate overburden tasks through the Fire Corps program. There are many tasks that can be performed by citizens in the fire and emergency services every day.

Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC)

MRC coordinates physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, dentists, LPNs, EMTs, mental health professionals, social workers, veterinarians, students, retired healthcare professionals and other non-medically trained citizens to respond to the community during times of need. Register for the Ohio Medical Reserve Corps to become an identified resource when an emergency occurs.

Central Ohio Amateur Radio Emergency Services

COARES volunteers provide emergency communications to central Ohio public safety, emergency, health, government and relief agencies during local, regional and national civil emergencies. Training is offered free; however, a fee may be required for federal licensing.

Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP)

NWP trains and supports neighbors in resident-led community crime prevention activities. Neighborhood Watch has grown from an "extra eyes and ears" approach to crime prevention to a proactive, community-oriented endeavor providing a unique infrastructure that brings together local officials, law enforcement and citizens for the protection of their communities.

Volunteer Reception Center (VRC)

During disasters people want to help! VRC volunteers establish a central processing point for placing spontaneous volunteers in disaster related activities. Everyone can serve! Volunteer Reception Centers need volunteers to greet, interview, register, train and maintain the records of spontaneous volunteers.

Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS)

Since September 11, 2001, demands on state and local law enforcement have increased dramatically. As a result, the limited resources of these agencies are being stretched at a time when the country needs every available officer out on the beat. Through the VIPS program, citizen volunteers can help supplement and support officers and civilian personnel by allowing them to concentrate on their primary duties. Volunteer roles may include performing clerical tasks, serving as an extra set of "eyes and ears," assisting with search and rescue activities and writing citations for accessible parking violations.