Citizen Corps Volunteers - Get Your Voice Heard

Secretary Napolitano Launches Public Engagement Website

Release Date: February 8, 2010
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Web tool will increase transparency, collaboration as part of Open Government Initiative

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the launch of a new online public engagement tool designed to solicit input from the public on ways to enhance transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation at the Department—part of President Obama's Open Government Directive.

"Creating an open, transparent, more efficient and effective government is one of our top priorities at the Department of Homeland Security," said Secretary Napolitano. "This new online tool allows the public to play a major part in our Department-wide efforts to enhance openness and accessibility."

The new online tool—available from Feb.6-March 19 at https://www.dhs.gov/open allows members of the public and interested stakeholders to submit ideas and suggestions on ways DHS can enhance transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation—while saving taxpayer money.

The ideas submitted will help guide the development of an official DHS Open Government plan.

On Dec. 8, 2009, President Obama issued the Open Government Directive to begin breaking down long-standing barriers between the federal government and the people it serves, and instructed agencies to take immediate, specific steps to open their doors and data to the American people. Agencies across the federal government will begin engaging the public through similar online tools this week.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/open
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If you cant trust the internet for information where can we go?

In the last blog entry, we questioned the accuracy of some of the information on the internet. So where can we go to get validated up to date information.

The following US Government website:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

"One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information."

Wikipedia

As we know online technology is a great fast resource for information.

The following wikipedia swine flu page provides more detailed information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_Flu

However, remember the people entering this information might not be trained professionals and cannot be totally verified, as with a lot of the information on the internet. This is being provided for reference only.

American Red Cross of The National Capital Area Assists With The 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area has a very unique role in this community and country in that we partner with government agencies, non-profit partners and private organizations in supporting major events such as the inauguration. The DC Government requested the Red Cross' assistance to serve in a public safety capacity for the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration. The Red Cross does not endorse political parties or candidates, however we maintain our mission in helping people regardless of their political, religious or cultural background. American Red Cross has a long-standing history partnering with public safety officials during large-scale events, and has been supporting presidential inaugurations since 1909.

For the Presidential Inauguration activities, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is leading and coordinating the involvement of the four other Red Cross chapters in the National Capital Region.

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area serves as the Regional Chapter for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, which consists of five Red Cross chapters in Alexandria, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William and the National Capital Area, which includes District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Prince George's County and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Visit our website for the latest news, visitor resources and learn more about how the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is assisting with the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.redcrossnca.org%2FEvents%2FInauguration.php

Is the A in Arlington for Amazing? Help Where You Need It

Arlington, Virginia Government has an extensive website with resources to help you through challenges related to inauguration.

"Arlington is proud to be a part of this historic moment for our nation – and is focused on ensuring as many people as possible can get to Inaugural events safely."

The website can be found at:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Portals/Topics/AboutArlington/page67655.aspx

Thank you to Volunteer Arlington for providing this information.

Some of the resources on the website include:

NEW! Print-and-go guides on how to get from your neighborhood to Inaugural events

And may more resources.

If you are living, staying, working, or in/around the Arlington area, it is essential you become aware of these valuable recourses.

With all the recent discussion, time for a light video

With all the recent comments, it seemed appropriate to take a step back and realize the value of both sides.

Partnerships and Awareness with Business and Government

Two of the other organizations we need to partner with are businesses and government agencies.

Last week, readers of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors blog participated in the

Emergency Preparedness Fair in Alexandria, Virginia.

The preparedness fair should be seen as a role model for other government agencies and businesses.

During the morning, participants were given a bag with some supplies to start their kit.

Representatives from the Alexandria Citizen Corps Council, Alexandria Police, Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Volunteer Fairfax, Animal Services, National Weather Service, USDA Food Safety, and other agencies were there to speak about their programs and answer any questions.

No Cost Internet For Awareness - You've Been Exposed

As we continue to think about partners or ways to increase awareness at no cost, we spent a few minutes to see where Neighbors Helping Neighbors (http://citizencorps.blogspot.com/) has appeared on the internet over the past year.

Here are some of the places articles or references can be found.

GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

Ready.gov

Department of Homeland Security
National Citizen Corps
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Nebraska Deparment of Education
Samal City Government
Fairfax County Government

INDUSTRY MAGAZINES

Government*Horizons
Homeland Defense Journal

CONFERENCES

World Conference on Disaster Management

National Conference on Community Preparedness

Showcase Ontario

ASSOCIATIONS

International Association of Emergency Managers

National Organization on Disability

Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations

Volunteer Fairfax

NEWSPAPERS

Washington Post

All Voices

Fairfax Times

Connection Newspapers

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Facebook

LinkedIn

Second Life

SAMPLE BLOGS

Anniston Star Police
St. Charles County Citizen Corps Council
Fairfax County CERT
Mindanao Bloggers
American In Davao

General Santos

Dr. Dorodny

Emergency Management Strategy for Remote Indigenous Communities

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA

Emergency Management Australia (http://www.ema.gov.au/) provides an extensive resource for:

Keeping our mob safe: national emergency management strategy for remote Indigenous communities

In Australia, the term "mob" is used to describe a mass of common/similar people.

According to the website, "This strategy addresses the community emergency management priorities of remote Indigenous communities. It takes into account the broader community safety priorities and needs of remote Indigenous communities, as related to emergency management."

These recommendations can also be leveraged in less developed areas.

Australian Government Disaster Management Resources

According to the Australian Development Gateway Disaster Management section, it "... highlights practical information on disaster management including lessons learned from previous disasters, the complex issues relating to reconstruction and resettlement post-disaster and the challenges facing the re-establishment of economic livelihoods."

In the left frame are categories for many of the templates, best practices calendar of events, and other resources available on their website. There is also a section to "Ask the disaster management specialist"

Taking National Preparedness Month Across Borders - Showcase Ontario

http://www.showcaseontario.com/2008/

During National Preparedness Month, Andrew Levy, upon his return from the IBM Corporate Service Corps project, will go beyond United States borders again and share lessons learned and best practices from multiple countries.

As part of this years theme, "Working Together - Working Smarter", participants will leave this featured presentation with:

1. Increased knowledge of how to leverage citizen groups for emergency response.
2. Understand ways to reduce load on Government during an emergency.
3. Learn how to reduce redundancy in public and private emergency programmes.
4. Be able to increase citizen participation in emergency simulations.

Last month, Andrew spoke at the World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto, Canada, where he was asked to return to speak to this audience.

Volunteers and Legislation - International Guidance

At the World Conference on Disaster Management, there were several questions raised in my session about how to incorporate spontaneous and non-affiliated volunteers.

The following materials from the International Federation on Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provides some good starting material.

http://www.ifrc.org/voluntee/publications.asp


Report: Taking volunteers seriously

The volunteering progress report, Taking volunteers seriously is now available. The report is important tool to address future need on volunteering development as well as reporting on the implementation of the Internatonal Federation's Volunteering Policy to date. The report covers the period 1999—2007.

Volunteerism and legislation: A guidance note

Published jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the International Federation, and United Nations Volunteers (UNV), this guidance note on volunteerism and legislation is for use by parliamentarians around the world. The note was prepared following extensive consultations with parliamentarians from all regions, volunteer-involving organizations and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.