Fire Corps volunteers benefit fire/EMS departments as well as the
community. As a volunteer, you give back to your community, assist your
local fire/EMS department, assist with vital non-emergency operations of
the department, and provide the department with an important link to the
community.
Although the national VIPS Program was established in 2002, volunteers
have been assisting law enforcement for decades. Many agencies already
have volunteer-based activities and programs in place, such as explorer
posts, chaplains, neighborhood watch, and citizens advisory boards.
Whether large or small, formal or informal, the VIPS Program welcomes
all law enforcement agencies to become part of the national VIPS network
by registering their volunteer program. There is no cost or requirements
to register. As the VIPS Program is a locally-driven initiative,
programs do not need to be called Volunteers in Police Service.
In 2002, USA Freedom Corps was created under President Bush's initiative
to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility
established under Citizen Corps as an expansion of the Neighborhood
Watch program to empower citizens to become directly involved for the
purpose of homeland security. Following the hurricanes of 2005, a new
initiative for emergency preparedness and service swept the country.
Neighborhood Watch groups are a way for law enforcement and citizens to
work together in disaster preparedness efforts.
