Citizens Helping The Fire Service

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Citizens HelpingThe Fire Service
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What is Fire Corps?

• Fire Corps is an exciting new initiative
• Enhances the capacity of resource constrained
  fire departments and rescue squads by using
  citizens in non-operational roles
• Provides a medium for citizens to find
  departments looking for help
• Provides resources for departments to start or
  improve on programs

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Background

• Launched in December 2004 at the White House
• One of five Citizen Corps Partner Programs
  (www.citizencorps.gov)
• A partnership between
• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• National Volunteer Fire Council

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Background (contd)

• Managed through the Fire Corps office in
  Washington DC
• Strategic Direction from National Advisory
  Committee Comprised of 15 Fire Emergency
  Services Organizations

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Why take part?

• Relieves front line providers from many
  administrative tasks
• Is not a threat to an organizations jobs as Fire
  Corps is only for non-operational tasks
• Enhances the ability to provide additional
  services
• Provides a link to the community

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Whos eligible?

• The Requirements to register a program are
  minimal
• Be a fire or emergency services department or
  directly affiliated to one
• Have in place or implement a Fire Corps Citizen
  Advocate Program
• Register at www.firecorps.org
• Keep your information up to date
• Work with your State, local or tribal Citizen
  Corps Council

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How Can Citizens Help?

• Citizens can help in many ways including but not
  limited to
• Administrative Functions
• Life Safety Education
• Fund Raising
• Explorers
• Data Entry
• Bookkeeping
• Canteen Services
• Public Relations
• Pre-Plan Research

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Is there help getting started?

• www.firecorps.org
• Key for information and promotion of programs
• Resources and FAQs
• Where departments are listed
• Vehicle for citizens to find interested
  departments

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Is there help getting started?

• Promotional materials
• Resource guide
• Under development
• Provides ideas for program development
• Resource links
• Best practice examples
• Program descriptions
• Documentation
• Available Summer 2005

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Is there help getting started?

• Peer Connection
• Resources through Fire Corps include examples and
  contacts of other departments to learn from other
  departments of ideas that work

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Is there money for this?

• Fire Corps intended to be low/no cost
• Fire Corps is eligible for Citizen Corps funds
• Potential opportunities within Assistance to
  Firefighter Grants (AFG) for fire prevention
  programs
• Look at outside sources

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More Information

• Frequently Asked Questions and Additional
  Resources are at
• www.firecorps.org
• Contact the Fire Corps offices at
• E-mail info_at_firecorps.org
• Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
• 1050 17th St NW Suite 490
• Washington, DC 20036