This is part of the program description and general information. Sorry, not any near completed just a rough draft. But, I thought it might help you understand what we are looking at.

 The Kalkaska Volunteer Corps combines Fire Corps, CERT and VIPS in to one extensive program. Removing any duplication of effort on the part of the agencies involved. This program also partners with the American Red Cross to fill a need for a disaster team in the Kalkaska area. Equipping the people on the front line of an emergency or disaster with the tools needed to provide immediate support services during or immediately following an incident.

This program is designed to assist the current emergency services including Fire, EMS and Law enforcement. But, not supplement these services. During normal operations  and during disasters when the current system is stressed.

Partners:

Coldsprings-Excelsior Fire & EMS

American Red Cross

Pending

Kalkaska Sheriffs office

Kalkaska Police Department

Michigan State Police

Kalkaska Chief Association

What is Fire Corps?

Fire Corps is a locally-driven Citizen Corps program that allows community members to offer their time and talents to their local fire departments. Fire Corps serves as a gateway to information for and about fire department programs and meets a citizen's desire to serve as well as a department's need for support.

What is CERT?

A: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. There is a CERT Overview paper located at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/overview.asp that gives you a complete description of CERT.

How Does CERT benefit the community?

A: People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community. CERTs have been used to distribute and/or install smoke alarms, replace smoke alarm batteries in the home of elderly, distribute disaster education material, provide services at special events, such as parades, sporting events, concerts and more.

 What is the Mission of the American Red Cross?
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

What is the Volunteers in Police Service Program?

The Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program is a national program that serves as a gateway to resources and information for and about law enforcement volunteer programs of all kinds. The program's ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.

What is a volunteer in police service?

The VIPS Program defines a volunteer in police service as someone who performs service for the department without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. This includes individuals completing unpaid internships, unpaid chaplains, persons providing administrative support, persons who are unpaid reserve officers and persons involved in an Explorer Post, among others.

Drew Donegan

Administrative Officer

Coldsprings-Excelsior Fire & EMS

231-258-2107