AACC has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Citizen Corps Program to help promote and improve community emergency preparedness, disaster response training for the public, and volunteer service.
Click here to read FEMA's press release. (PDF)
Click here to download the publication, "Citizen Corps: A Guide for Local Officials." (PDF)
Below is the Statement of Afilliation between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC):
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Association of Community Colleges view community safety and emergency preparedness as a top priority for their respective organizations and for the American people. As such, our organizations have come together in partnership to provide mutual support for Citizen Corps.
Under the direction of DHS/FEMA Community Preparedness Division, Citizen Corps encourages all Americans to take an active role in building safer, stronger, and better-prepared communities. Citizen Corps is a community-based initiative to bring government and community leaders together to involve citizens and organizations in all-hazards emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery. Citizen Corps supports citizen involvement in homeland security and community and family preparedness through participation in community preparedness planning, public education and outreach, training opportunities, and volunteer programs. Programs affiliated with Citizen Corps include federally sponsored programs and other activities that share the goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, terrorism, crime, public health issues, and public safety threats of all kinds.
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing almost 1,200 two-year institutions and 11 million students. Community colleges have taken the lead in Homeland Security Education, with over 80% of police, fire and EMTs receiving their credentials from these institutions. AACC supports its members through policy initiatives, innovative programs, research and information, professional development, and other efforts. AACC also partners with other organizations in the public and private sectors to promote the goals of community colleges in particular and higher education in general. AACC promotes the interests of its members through strategic action areas which include recognition and advocacy for community colleges; student access, learning and success; community college leadership development; economic and workforce development; and global and intercultural education.
Together, FEMA and AACC agree to work in collaborative partnership to:
Raise awareness among community college faculty, staff and students about appropriate actions to take regarding disaster preparedness and response, public health issues, life supporting first aid, and volunteer service;
Promote participation of community college students and administrators on local Citizen Corps Councils to support community-based multi-sector preparedness planning for all-hazards;
Assist in promoting education, training and exercises, and volunteer service opportunities that support first responders, disaster relief, and community safety, to include support for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and other safety courses;
Publicly acknowledge the affiliation of Citizen Corps and the AACC, which may include website links, co-logos on publications, and references in printed materials;
Coordinate respective national activities, including participation in National Preparedness Month, to further the shared mission; and,
Mutually inform one another of national activities conducted in support of Citizen Corps and provide reports summarizing those activities.
On this 16th day of June 2008, all parties enter into this agreement in good faith and agree to pursue this mission as stated. Modifications may be made at any time with the written approval of both parties and all terms and conditions will be reviewed and re-established in three years.
R. David Paulison
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
George Boggs
President
American Association of Community Colleges