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_Executiv_e_Sum.marLy_~m~ed) <br /> <br /> ~ Promote all Citizen Corps programs and activities <br />across the community. <br /> <br /> · Capture innovative practices and report <br />accomplishments that can be replicated in other <br />communities nationwide. <br /> <br /> ~ Survey the community to assess increased <br />awareness and Citizen Corps participation. <br /> <br />Creating a new organization to start Citizen Corps is <br />not required. If your community already has a strong <br />team that brings together all sectors of your commu- <br />nity, including first responders and volunteer groups, <br />you may want to ask this group to take on the <br />responsibility of promoting Citizen Corps and to <br />acknowledge this group as affiliated with Citizen <br />Corps. You are strongly encouraged to leverage exist- <br />ing resources and build on current successful pro- <br />grams whenever possible. <br /> <br />BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY <br />Major disasters in a community can overload the <br />capability of first responders, especially during the <br />first 12 to 72 hours of the response. Having citizens <br />who are better prepared to take care of themselves <br /> <br />and others during times of crisis ,vill allow first <br />responders to focus their efforts on the most critical, <br />life-threatening situations. <br /> <br />In addition, there are many tasks that a well-trained <br />and organized group of volunteers could perform on <br />an ongoing basis that would free up sworn officers, <br />licensed health professionals, and professional <br />firefighters so that they could focus more on <br />immediate emergency response needs and less on the <br />routine or administrative aspects of their <br />responsibilities. Successful models of such activity <br />exist throughout the country and are primed to be <br />taken nationwide. <br /> <br />Citizen Corps will help citizens take a more active <br />role in crime prevention, risk reduction, and <br />emergency preparedness. It will bring together all <br />sectors of the community involved in first responder <br />issues and will enable them to establish ongoing <br />working relationships and to work together in times <br />of crisis. As a component of President Bush's call to <br />service, Citizen Corps will also help build a <br />community's sense of pride and cohesion.. <br /> <br /> <br />