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Lake Elsinore Citizen Corps
"Experts
say it is only a matter of time before our valley is
shaken by a massive earthquake, seriously flooded or
surrounded by wildfire."
Because
the risk of disaster is real, a permanent Citizen
Corps program can improve the chances of an
orderly recovery following disasters of all
kinds.
Citizen Corps is part of the City of
Lake Elsinore’s Emergency Response Plan. Trained
volunteers can assist their neighborhoods in the
critical hours and days following a disaster. The
City’s goal is to organize and train approximately
50—100 Citizen Corps volunteers per year over a three
year span, to establish a permanent Citizen Corps of
300 participants.
Citizen Corps leaders are
given additional training opportunities and
responsibilities to help the Citizen Corps stay
connected with its volunteer base. Leaders maintain
communication with neighborhood volunteers and may
organize periodic neighborhood meetings to inform
citizens about the role of Citizen Corps. Citizen
Corps leaders attend Citizen Corps Council meetings to
help with planning activities, training and outreach.
Leaders may be issued City equipment such as two-way
radios to facilitate communication in times of
emergency.
There is no set term for
Citizen Corps volunteers; opportunities for service
through Citizen Corps are flexible. CERT training is
a 20 hour commitment to receive a Certificate and
personal CERT equipment backpack. Volunteers are
invited to attend Citizen Corps Council meetings and
recognition events, and participate in annual
tabletop and mock-disaster exercises sponsored by
the City. Volunteers will also have a role in
community outreach to promote the Citizen Corps and
CERT training opportunities for Lake Elsinore
citizens.
There is no cost or fee for
receiving training and participating as a Citizen
Corps volunteer. All Citizen Corps participants are
encouraged to take CERT—Community Emergency Response
Training—as part of their volunteer service. CERT
training enrollment is available on a first come,
first served basis.
The Citizen Corps is open
to citizens of Lake Elsinore and owners of
businesses in the City of Lake Elsinore, who are age
18 or older.
For more information see the Lake
Elsinore Citizen Corps site
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