The Fire Corps website is your source for reference, technical, and marketing information to help design, enhance, and promote Fire Corps programs.
As the U.S. Government prepares for the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak, the nation’s emergency services and citizens should also be planning for the worst. Unlike an epidemic, in which a rapidly spreading contagious disease affects many people in a community or region, a pandemic is a global outbreak of a contagious disease. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and no developed vaccine. Since the disease is easily spread from person to person, it can sweep across a country and even the world in a very short time.
Recognizing the potentially tragic impact an influenza pandemic could have on our nation’s fire and emergency service responders, Fire Corps, its partners, and members of its National Advisory Committee have worked hard to generate awareness not just among fire and emergency service personnel, but also among the thousands of Fire Corps volunteers that support them every day. In doing so, Fire Corps has launched this Pandemic Influenza Resource Center in order to provide links to key information resources such as pandemicflu.gov, as well as information on how Fire Corps volunteers can help.
Over the past decade, Americans have endured tragedies including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Virginia Tech massacre. During such times of crises, citizens are often called to action to help protect not only themselves, but also their neighbors. Community members have come together during these past adversities, but when the next natural or man-made disaster occurs, will the American people be prepared?
September has been declared as National Preparedness Month (NPM) to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, communities, and schools. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies of all kinds and to encourage individuals to take action. Events and activities are being planned across the nation to encourage individuals to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses, and get involved in preparing their communities.
Each week will have a different theme promoting preparedness. The themes this year are as follows:
For more information on National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov.
Fire Corps has developed this NPM Resource Center to provide tools, resources, and materials that Fire Corps teams can utilize to help ready themselves and their community for emergency situations. The NPM Resource Center will be periodically updated, so check back in the upcoming weeks and months for additional information and resources.
Fire Corps Program Resources:
Recognizing the potentially tragic impact a devastating emergency could have on our nation’s fire and emergency service responders, Fire Corps, its partners, and members of its National Advisory Committee have worked to generate awareness not just among fire and emergency service personnel, but also among the thousands of Fire Corps volunteers that support them every day. The following resources, tools, and ideas are meant to assist Fire Corps members in helping their communities prepare for emergencies.
Listen to the Fire Corps National Preparedness Month (NPM) Public Service Announcement (PSA) from Erron Kinney, Professional Football Player and Volunteer Firefighter.
Host a National Preparedness Month Recognition Night with a Minor League Baseball Team
Minor League Baseball and the Boy Scouts of America have joined together to educate Americans to prepare for all types of emergencies. Fire Corps teams can participate by contacting and partnering with a local Minor League Baseball team to host a National Preparedness Month Recognition Night. During the game, Fire Corps members can distribute emergency preparedness information to the attendees. This partnership is made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Ready Campaign. For more information or to get involved, call the DHS Press Office at (202) 282-8010.
Utilize CERT & Fire Corps: Working Together To Build Stronger Communities
This guide outlines how Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Fire Corps can work together to build stronger communities. It looks at the challenges faced by both programs and shows how working together can help overcome these challenges. This guide also includes profiles of departments that have successfully combined their CERT and Fire Corps efforts to develop a comprehensive program that benefits fire and emergency service departments and the communities they serve.
Share Information on the Fire Corps Connection Listserv
Fire Corps program coordinators, citizen volunteers, fire and emergency service representatives, and Citizen Corps Council members are invited to join the Fire Corps Connection listserv, a valuable network for getting and sharing information about Fire Corps programs across the nation. Use this forum to ask questions, get answers, and share ideas and experiences about Fire Corps and your NPM activities.
Help Prevent Fires in Your Community During Fire Prevention Week
Learn safety tips, lesson plans, and fire prevention procedures during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13 by utilizing and sharing the Fire Prevention Week Tips brought to you by Fire Corps (coming soon)
All-Ways Fire Safe at Home: Fire Safety Module
Fire Corps and the Home Safety Council have partnered to develop a Fire Safety Module that can be used by Fire Corps teams across the nation to implement a comprehensive fire and life safety public education program at the local level. This All-Ways Fire Safe at Home module is comprised of four fire safety education programs that Fire Corps teams can use to promote fire and life safety to community members in all stages of life, from preschool to older adults. It can be ordered free of charge from the Fire Corps national office at 1-888-FC-INFO1 (324-6361) or firstname.lastname@example.org.
Preparedness for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
July 26 marks the 17th anniversary of theAmericans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law in 1990 to guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. To recognize the needs of this important part of the population, Fire Corps would like to offer Fire Corps teams tips and information to assist those with disabilities and share opportunities for those with disabilities to get involved with their local Fire Corps program.
Resources for Weather-Related Emergencies:
Hurricane Preparedness Information from the Ready Campaign
Brought to you by DHS and the Ready Campaign, this hurricane resource center provides you with valuable information for preparing and planning for this natural disaster, including how to protect your property from hurricane damage.
NVFC Hurricane Preparedness Resource Center
The NVFC provides a compendium of resources and tips to help individuals and communities prepare for hurricanes.
Hurricane Season Preparations
DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been working closely with state and local governments and relief organizations to remind residents and businesses in coastal areas to make emergency preparations.
National Hurricane Center
Learn about hurricane hazards and what you can do to help protect yourself, your family, and your property. Receive current updates and get the latest breaking news.
National Weather Service
This web site consists of detailed weather information and forecasts for each U.S. state.
Resources for Terrorism-Related Emergencies:
NVFC Terrorism Awareness Guide
The NVFC provides an overview of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as information on terrorism-related grants, training and learning resources, informational tools, and standards and guidelines to provide citizens critical information on what to do in case of a terrorist threat.
Citizen Guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System
This Guidance provides recommended actions for citizens in a number of emergency situations. Actions to take include preparing a family emergency plan and creating an “emergency supply kit” for the household. It also recommends completing a CPR course.
Homeland Security – Links for citizens
The Department of Homeland Security provides links for citizens to research regarding preparation for unexpected occurrences. Also provided are links about safety and security, as well as DHS contact information.
Resources for Health-Related Emergencies:
Fire Corps Pandemic Flu Resource Center
As the U.S. Government prepares for the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak, Fire Corps has launched this Pandemic Influenza Resource Center in order to provide links to key information resources such as pandemicflu.gov, as well as information on how Fire Corps volunteers can help.
Stay informed about pandemic influenza and be prepared to respond. Consult www.pandemicflu.gov frequently for updates on national and international information on pandemic influenza.
Learn about Emergency Preparedness and Public Health
The U.S. Surgeon General has outlined priorities for the health of individuals and the nation as a whole. The overarching goal is to improve health literacy, and in support of this, work towards increasing disease prevention, eliminating health disparities, and improving public health preparedness.
State and Local Resources:
Citizen Corps Councils
These councils help drive local citizen participation by coordinating Citizen Corps programs, developing community action plans, assessing possible threats and identifying local resources.
State Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Links to homeland security and public safety web sites from the states and the District of Columbia.
FEMA Regional Offices.
Links to contact information for FEMA regional offices.
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