Mission Statement

Citizen Corps Mission Statement

The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.

Goals for Citizen Corps Councils

The Citizen Corps mission will be accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils, which bring together leaders from law enforcement, fire, emergency medical and other emergency management, volunteer organizations, local elected officials, the private sector, and other community stakeholders. These Councils will tailor activities to the community and build on community strengths to develop and implement a local strategy to have every American participate through:

  • Personal responsibility: Public education and outreach efforts will convey the importance of individual actions, such as developing a household disaster plan and disaster supplies kits for home, work and car; observing home health and safety practices; implementing disaster mitigation measures; and participating in crime prevention and reporting.
  • Training: Taking classes in emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), fire suppression, search and rescue procedures, and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
  • Volunteer service: Engaging individuals in volunteer activities that support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety organizations. Everyone can do something to support local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, community public health efforts, and the four stages of emergency management: preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

Local Citizen Corps Councils will also promote and strengthen the Citizen corps programs at the community level, such as Volunteers in Police Service programs, CERT teams, medical Reserve Corps units, and Neighborhood Watch groups; provide opportunities for special skills and interests; develop targeted outreach for special needs groups; organize special skills and interests; develop targeted outreach for special needs groups; organize special projects and community events; encourage cooperation and collaboration among community leaders; and capture smart practices and report accomplishments.