Citizen Corps Releases New CERT Videos

Did you know that real CERT Volunteers were used in the recently released CERT videos?

Check out the videos filmed in the National Capital Region at:

http://citizencorps.gov/cert/videos/

And join the discussion with other volunteers on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/citizencorps

Teen/Campus CERT Train-the-Trainer

This past weekend, Volunteer CERT Instructors in Northern Virginia completed the Teen/Campus CERT Train-the-Trainer Power Workshop.

Congratulations to the new Teen and C-CERT Instructors!

Thank you to Arlington County for hosting the training (and the creative candy dish idea, pictured above) and to VDEM for bringing the training to the area.

Now Easier To Find on Facebook

Our page can now be found on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/citizencorps

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Volunteers Sharing With Volunteers

Letter From ServiceNation - Our Citizens Voice Was Heard

As you know, we are hunting for the best new ideas for expanding national and community service in America.

I recently asked people like you to pitch in, and you did, in huge numbers. Reading through the many terrific responses, one suggestion really stuck out.

Andrew (Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Executive Director) from Virginia wrote, It is important to include volunteers in advisory and strategy sessions -- with some of the sessions focusing on the volunteers and what motivates them, and with less a focus in these sessions on politics and budget issues.

Andrew is absolutely right: we must harness your enthusiasm and creativity to help shape the future of national and community service.

So we're encouraging supporters like you to host and attend your own strategy meetings to map out the future of service in your own communities. These meetings are already being organized around the country -- click below to find one near you and RSVP to attend:

http://www.servicenation.org/page/event/search_simple

You can also sign up to host your own event, which can be as simple as a casual get-together with fellow volunteers, or as ambitious as you like. We'll provide you with all the materials you need to hold a productive meeting.

Click below to get started organizing your event: http://www.servicenation.org/page/event/create

The wide range of great ideas submitted over the past few weeks are proof that the future of service is very bright.

Many of you focused on the importance of teaching service in our schools, while others proposed changing the way service is funded, boosting (or limiting) government involvement in service efforts, reaching out to new communities, and much more.

These suggestions are still pouring in. They will be incorporated into the agenda for a similar
meeting we are organizing on April 21st in Washington.

Don't miss this important opportunity to make the future of service even brighter. Search for a meeting near you and sign up to attend: http://www.servicenation.org/page/event/search_simple

Or click here to host your own meeting: http://www.servicenation.org/page/s/bealeader

Yours in service,
Greg Propper
Executive Director
ServiceNation

Volunteers Provide Communications During WV Mine Explosion

Several weeks ago, we discussed volunteers being trained in the National Capital Region on ECRV 4703. The Red Cross Emergency Communications Response Vehicle, staffed by volunteers, provided vital communications during the recent mine explosion in West Virginia.

Detailed information about the response can be found on the Red Cross website.

Volunteers in the National Capital Area Complete Red Cross ECRV Training

(Source: ecrv4703.org)

Congratulations to the 11 volunteers who
recently completed ECRV Operator Training.
They join others who have completed
the 40 hour hands-on training program.

The American Red Cross Emergency Communications Response Vehicle (ECRV) is "... among the first to arrive at a disaster area, and, without benefit of ANY local infrastructure (power, landline phones, cell phones, radio towers, etc.) deploy laptops and Internet Protocol (IP) phones, all connected to the American Red Cross network (by satellite), thus providing critical email, disaster applications access, and voice communications capabilities to those who are providing the initial disaster response.

In addition, the truck contains fourteen radios, all designed to fill specific communications gaps that are likely to occur in a large disaster. The truck also carries 10 cell phones that can be issued if cell service is available, and ten handheld radios to further facilitate communications between disaster workers." (ecrv4703.org) There are currently 12 ECRVs located across the United States.

If you are interested in learning more about the ECRVs and how you can train to deploy, in the Washington DC area,visit ecrv4703.org

For other locations and additional information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECRV

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Recognized by Board of Supervisors

Certificate of Appreciation – "To recognize the Fairfax County Health Department, Medical Reserve Corps and appropriate representatives for the H1N1 vaccination clinics. Requested by Chairman Bulova."