After September 11, 2001, 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?" Below are a listing of opportunities to become involved in a variety of areas that can assist first responders in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
CERT
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 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, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is offered in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and Western Washington County.
Beaverton – www.beavertonoregon.gov/departments/emergency/cert/
Tigard – www.ci.tigard.or.us/city_hall/departments/public_works/emergency/cert.asp
Hillsboro – www.HillsboroCERT.org
Amateur Radio Emergency
Services / Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services
(ARES/RACES) www.WashCoARES.org
Washington County Amateur Radio Emergency Services/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) exists for the purpose of providing backup emergency communications to more than 20 served agencies in Washington County. Those served agencies include Washington County, incorporated cities, special service districts (fire districts, utilities, schools, etc.), and hospitals. Other non governmental agencies may also be served upon request, as allowed by available staffing and training.
The Medical Corps (MRC) Program strengthens communities by helping medical, public health, and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need. MRC volunteers work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs and also supplement existing community public health initiatives, such as outreach and prevention, immunization programs, blood drives, case management, care planning and other efforts. The MRC program is administered by HHS.
Citizen Corps Councils helps drive local citizen participation by coordinating Citizen Corps programs, developing community action plans, assessing possible threats and identifying local resources.
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.
The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps programs and will carry out a local strategy to have every American participate. Currently there are:
55 State/Territory Citizen Corps Councils and
1,455 County/Local/Tribal Citizen Corps Councils
Which serve 164,401,425 people or 57% of the total US population
Oregon State Citizen Corps Advisory Council
Contact: Ian Finseth Title: Disaster Planner Address: PO Box 14370
3225 State Street
Salem, OR 97309Phone: (503) 378-2911
Ext. 22252Email: ifinseth@oem.state.or.us
