Citizens Corps forming, looking for volunteers in Santa Rosa County

The world in which we live today is much different than the one prior to September 11, 2001.

We are more aware of our vulnerabilities, more appreciative of our freedoms, and more understanding that we have a personal responsibility for the safety of our families, our neighbors and our nation.

Today, citizens must realize that they can take action now to help protect their families, help reduce the impact an emergency has on lives, and help deal with the chaos if an incident does occur.

Citizens Corps helps move this train of thought forward.

Citizen Corps is a component of President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps initiative and was created to allow every American the opportunity to engage in family and community safety programs, and Santa Rosa county’s Citizen Corps program is forming and needs your help.

"The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds," said Lou Davis, the Citizen Corps coordinator for Santa Rosa County.

We all have a role in home-town security.

Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

A grant was awarded last fall to establish Citizen Corps within Santa Rosa, Oakaloosa, and Walton counties. Hurricane Ivan delayed the the launching.

"Although our program is still in the infantile stages, we already need volunteers," said Davis. "Every person has the ability to help. No pre-qualifications are required to contribute to this effort. This is a community-based endeavor in which everyone has the ability to participate in some manner."

A web site is currently in the works that will allow volunteers to register as well as sign up for first responder classes such as CPR and first aid.

For more information on Citizens Corps, or to volunteer, contact Lou Davis at (850) 626-7333 or email her at davisml@usa.redcross.org, or visit www.citizencorps.gov.