Issaquah Citizen Corps Council

The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council is a nonprofit organization based in Issaquah, Washington, dedicated to enhancing community preparedness and resilience through volunteerism and education in emergency response. It operates as part of the broader Citizen Corps program, which aims to promote community safety and disaster readiness across the United States.

History

Established in 2005, the Issaquah Citizen Corps Council has developed numerous emergency preparedness initiatives tailored to local needs. The council emphasizes the importance of community involvement in managing and responding to emergencies, ensuring that residents are equipped with skills to help themselves and others during disasters.

Programs and Activities

The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council oversees several key programs, most notably the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Map Your Neighborhood (MYN).

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): This program provides citizens with training to handle emergencies effectively when professional responders may not be immediately available. Participants learn essential skills, including basic first aid, fire suppression, and search and rescue techniques. Since its inception, over 850 residents have engaged in CERT training and activities[2][3].

• Map Your Neighborhood (MYN): The MYN program empowers residents to plan and prepare for emergencies within their neighborhoods. Training includes developing communication plans, identifying neighborhood resources, and establishing a network for assistance during crises. Approximately 13% of residential parcels in Issaquah are MYN trained, indicating a high level of community engagement in disaster preparedness[2].

Objectives

The council's primary objectives include:

• Educating citizens on disaster preparedness and response techniques.
• Fostering collaboration between community members and local government agencies.
• Enhancing the overall safety and resilience of the Issaquah community through proactive planning and training.

Partnerships

The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council collaborates with various local entities, including city departments and emergency management agencies, to implement effective preparedness strategies and programs. Their initiatives align with the goals set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), particularly regarding community resilience planning.

Achievements

The council has achieved notable success in promoting emergency preparedness. It has been recognized for effectively integrating public input into planning processes and enhancing community engagement through its programs. This proactive approach has significantly contributed to Issaquah’s readiness for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Conclusion

The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council serves as a vital resource for community members, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to respond to emergencies effectively. Through its various programs, the council not only fosters individual readiness but also strengthens community bonds, ensuring a collective approach to safety and resilience in Issaquah.

[1] https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/citizen-corps_council-admin-tutorial.pdf [2] https://www.issaquahwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5035/Floodplain-Management-Plan-Progress-Report?bidId= [3] https://www.issaquahwa.gov/251/Volunteer-CERT [4] https://servewashington.wa.gov/programs/cert-community-emergency-response-team/other-citizen-corps-programs [5] https://issaquahcert.org