The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management recently announced the official establishment of the Kitsap County Citizen Corps, a county-wide network of volunteers to provide assistance to first responders in law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and public health.

“We will need 1000 volunteers from all walks of life to make this network a success,” said Phyllis Mann, director of the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM).

After Sept. 11, America witnessed a wellspring of selflessness and heroism. People in every corner of the country asked, “What can I do?” and “How can I help?” Citizen Corps was created to help all Americans answer these questions through public education and outreach, training, and volunteer service, Mann said.

Everyone can do something to support local fire, emergency medical services, community public health, law enforcement and the four stages of emergency management, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts, Mann said.

A comprehensive Web site, located at www.kitsapdem.org, has been developed to permit volunteers to learn more about opportunities.

Here is how the Kitsap Citizen Corps operates:

Citizen Corps Councils help drive local citizen participation by coordinating Citizen Corps programs, developing community action plans, assessing possible threats and identifying local resources.

An expanded Neighborhood Watch Program or Block Watch program incorporates terrorism awareness and education into its existing crime prevention mission and serves as a way to bring residents together to focus on disaster preparedness and training.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), provides support for resource-constrained police departments by incorporating civilian volunteers so that law enforcement professionals have more time for frontline duty.

The Kitsap Practices Responsible Emergency Preparedness (K-PREP) program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, Neighborhood Team members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) coordinates volunteer health professionals, as well as other citizens with an interest in health issues, to provide resources during large-scale emergencies, such as assisting public health when medical systems are overwhelmed, providing care to victims with less serious injuries, and removing other burdens that inhibit the effectiveness of physicians and nurses.

The Citizen Corps Affiliate Program expands the resources and materials available to states and local communities by partnering with programs and organizations that offer resources for public education, outreach, and training; represent volunteers interested in helping to make their community safer; or offer volunteer service opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief activities, and community safety efforts.

Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); DHS also works closely with the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteer service activities that support homeland security and community safety.

Kitsap County’s local partners include Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Bainbridge Island Police Department, City of Poulsbo Citizen Volunteers, City of Bremerton Police Department, Port Orchard Police Department, Harrison Hospital, Naval Hospital, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Kitsap County Health District, American Red Cross WestSound Service Center, AmeriCorps, Christian Medical Response Team, Olympic College Nursing Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Suquamish Tribe, Salvation Army, Kitsap County Medical Society, Kitsap County Ministerial Association, and United Way of Kitsap County.

As we officially begin to form our volunteer network and we look forward to explaining this important program to everyone in the community and asking for their support, Mann continued.

Visit the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management website at www.kitsapdem.org for more information on joining the Kitsap County Citizen Corps or call (360) 616-5876.