Citizen Corps Councils

The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. The Citizen Corps program promotes community preparedness, outreach and awareness by partnering with other government sponsored volunteer programs, such as the Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers in Police Services, Fire Corps and Neighborhood Watch, as well as other non-government volunteer affiliates.

More information on the Nebraska State Citizen Corps Program and contact information for local programs in your area is available from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Nebraska State Citizen Corps Program Coordinator: 402-471-7424

Tri-County Citizen Corps Council: Washington, Dodge, Douglas & Sarpy Counties

Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community.

Tri-County CERT
402-339-4334 ext. 208

Hall County CERT   beready@grand-island.com
308-385-5360

Scotts Bluff County CERT   scottsbluffcountycert@gmail.com

Medical Reserve Corps

The Nebraska Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program strengthens communities by helping medical, public health and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need. MRC volunteers work in coordination with local emergency response programs and also supplement community public health initiatives, such as outreach, prevention, immunization programs, blood drives, case management, and other efforts.

TRIMRS MRC - Central Nebraska
centralnebraskamrc@gmail.com
(402) 224-0108

Volunteers in Police Services

The VIPS Program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a community law enforcement agency. The program’s ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. 

VIPS Omaha Police Department
Currently the Omaha Police Department has 100 dedicated volunteers within its VIPS program.  Volunteers with the Omaha VIPS program have 3 distinct areas in which they assist, including the Handicap Parking Patrol Program, Chaplain Corps, and administrative assistance.

To learn more about the Omaha Police Departments VIPS program or becoming a volunteer, please call (402) 444-3598.

REACT

REACT provides public service communications to individuals, organizations, and government agencies to save lives, prevent injuries, and give assistance wherever and whenever needed.  REACT strives to establish a monitoring network of trained volunteer citizen-based communicators using any and all available means to deliver the message.

Grand Island REACT: 308-384-0343
Nebraska State Council of REACT Teams: 308-379-7570
React website

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross performs a critical role in central Nebraska by providing aid and support to people at times of urgent need. The Red Cross meets the needs of the public with dedicated volunteers and staff who are professional, prepared and committed to the tradition of providing supreme service delivery to our communities.

The Red Cross also provides emergency communication between the military and their families; trains individuals and businesses in CPR and First Aid; collects, processes and distributes blood to area hospitals; and responds to disasters including house or apartment fires and other natural and man-made disasters.
www.redcross.org/neia
402-343-7700: Omaha
308-382-3790: Grand Island

Donate Blood

Donated blood saves lives every day.  To donate blood, contact the Nebraska Community Blood Bank or the Blood Donation Center of your local office of the American Red Cross.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is one of the largest disaster-relief organizations in the country. With decades of experience in wildfire, flood, tornado, or hurricane relief, the Salvation Army can provide an immediate response in almost every community around the United States, and will continue their support throughout the disaster recovery process.

COAD

COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) is a group of community organizations, businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to plan community responses to a variety of emergency and disaster situations.

Nebraska VOAD

Nebraska Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

The membership of Nebraska VOAD consists of both locally based organizations and local representatives of National organizations. Our mission is to strengthen the capabilities of organizations working together in our State/Territory to respond to communities affected by disaster. Nebraska VOAD member organizations cover a broad range of missions and technical expertise, and adhere to the 4 Cs: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration.

MARC 

A MARC (Multi Agency Recovery Center) is a single location where public and private organizations come together to provide assistance to those affected by disaster. MARCs are collaborative operations but a single organization, called the 'leading agency', is the one that takes care of all logistics and ensures necessary MARC functions and tasks are fulfilled. In Nebraska, the American Red Cross has taken on the role of the lead agency in most places.

DRC

In federally-declared disasters, a DRC (Disaster Recovery Center) is a facility where FEMA provides status information and updates to client applications, as well as general information on FEMA disaster assistance. 

Occasionally, a DRC may act similarly to a MARC by including other federal, state, local and voluntary agencies within the same or a similar facility to provide information on their disaster assistance programs.

Amateur Radio

The Amateur Radio Association of Nebraska is a group of dedicated volunteer amateur radio enthusiasts located in central and south central Nebraska. Volunteer amateur radio operators can be a vital part of disaster response by becoming a lifeline during times of need.