When disaster strikes, in whatever way it may, it is good to feel useful. Immediately after September 11, many people had a desire to serve. Through the coordinated efforts of Citizen Corps, under the federal Department of Homeland Security, every citizen has an opportunity to help. Kitsap’s Citizen Corps was just launched late last month.

Kitsap County’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM), directed by Phyllis Mann, coordinates efforts for any type of emergency. Since disasters have no boundaries, the DEM coordinates work on behalf of all citizens in the county, including those in the cities and tribes, Mann shared recently.

“We have been methodical and looked over all these programs and brought what we thought was best for Kitsap County,” Mann said. She refers citizens to the website at www.kitsapdem.org where one may find a printable volunteer application for a number of organizations and programs.

“If you want to volunteer, there is no excuse anymore,” Mann continued, for doing so has been made much easier through this coordinated effort.

On an everyday basis, there are many ways to contribute your time and talents. Under the newly created Citizen Corps, any community volunteers could be called upon during a time of emergency to assist during the disaster.

For example, if your schedule includes listening to a first-grader read once a week, perhaps right after an earthquake, with schools temporarily closed, you might be asked to help with the extra load of DEM phone calls or paperwork for a 12-hour shift. Since the DEM helped secure your assistance for the school district, and knows you are a willing community helper, you may be placed on the list to contact during a crisis.

Also brand new to Kitsap County is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical records techs, and others in the medical field. Suppose, Mann said, that someone brought small pox into the county. There is a tiny window of time when everyone in the county would need to be immunized. The MRC would mobilize to make this happen, averting widespread disaster. The MRC may be called upon in a number of emergencies.

Some 40 agencies have been cooperatively working to put together a plan for mitigation in a time of crisis in the county. Not all disasters can be avoided. One example is an earthquake, but preparing indoor spaces for less impact and being quick to mobilize and know what to do after-the-fact is part of the community’s planning process, along with coordinating efforts of emergency responders.

While there are many types of disasters, there are common ways of meeting the needs, with a “sub-set of particulars for specific incidents,” Mann explained.

Neighborhood Watch volunteers are being asked to be alert for possible terrorist activities along with their regular duties. More people are being recruited to the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS).

Although she spends many hours meeting with the heads of sheriff, police and fire departments, Americorps, Salvation Army, RSVP, Red Cross, the Health District and many others, she really gets excited thinking of the involvement of every single citizen.

“We love working with volunteers!” Mann said.

The Department of Emergency Management may be reached at 360-616-5870.