The Citizen Corps

This regional Citizen Corps Council provides citizens in the Pennyrile with the information to prepare and the opportunity to volunteer in the case of a disaster or emergency in their community.  Many citizens throughout Kentucky have voiced their concern and interest in volunteerism, but often don't know how or where to go to offer help.  The Citizen Corps Council provides the community with a vehicle to prepare the public and promote volunteerism.

What do you do in an Earthquake - take this quiz

Free Weather Radio Programming -
May 1st (10 am - 3 pm) - Hopkinsville Kroger

What's Your Readiness Quotient?             Are You Ready? - videos

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security stresses the need for all citizens to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.  It is the mission of the Citizens Corps Council to have every citizen create a preparedness kit, create a preparedness plan, and volunteer in their community.  The Citizen Corps Council brings together community leaders with the primary purpose of engaging all citizens in making America safer.  The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security has contracted with the 15 Area  Development Districts throughout Kentucky to form Citizen Corps Councils in each region of the state.

Ten training sessions were offered in 2007 to the Citizen Corps Council members as well as all other citizens interested in volunteerism and disaster preparedness - over 387 citizens have been trained on disaster preparedness and NIMS compliance for volunteers.  In addition to trainings, council members have spoken to several community groups and set up informational booths at local community functions in the Pennyrile region.  The council was also able to equip 236 CERT members and 168 Neighborhood Watch members with volunteer kits and conduct training for these groups. 

The Council assisted a local church group in the coordination and planning of a Regional Preparedness Fair that was held on September 15, 2007 in Hopkinsville.  The fair resulted in participation from 34 exhibitors which included the Pennyrile Regional Citizen Corps Council, Region 2 Medical Reserve Corps, Red Cross, Emergency Management, Fire Departments, EMS, Boy Scouts, and other vendors delivering messages regarding personal and family preparedness.  A total of approximately 523 individuals attended the fair and 36 pints of blood were donated.

The planning process for the 2008 funding year is complete and activities will begin in the near future.

The Department of Homeland Security's "Ready Campaign" seeks to help American families be better prepared for even unlikely emergency scenarios.  While we cannot always predict an attack, there are simple things you and your family can do to prepare for the possible event of a terrorist incident.
 
Protect your Family
Kentucky's Protect Your Family websiteoutlines four essential steps in preparedness: Make a Plan; Prepare a Kit; Get Involved; and Prepare to Communicate.  Visit the site for some excellent information.

The Pennyrile Area Development District holds the responsibility of the formation of a regional Citizen Corps Council for the nine counties in the Pennyrile area.  The ADD point of contact for this program is Amy Frogue.

Additional information is also available from our council chairman, Dan Nicholson.   The regional Training Coordinator is David Hazelmyer.