Rowlett Lakeshore Times > News
RCCC named a finalist in inaugural FEMA awards
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer
Out of the 2,390 citizen corps councils in the United States, Rowlett has one of the best when it comes to volunteer integration.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency selected the Rowlett Citizen Corps Council as one of four finalists in its inaugural National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards. Rowlett is competing against a council from Harris County, Texas; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; and a group from Arizona for the Volunteer Integration Award.
RCCC President Whitney Laning said he is honored that the organization is one of the first to be considered for FEMA’s award.
“It’s confirmation of the commitment and dedication that our volunteers have toward citizen corps programs,” Laning said. “It positions us as a true leader in citizen corps efforts throughout the country.”
RCCC outlined its mission, described program participants and explained its goals in its three-page application for the award. It states that the council is continuously growing with service hours increasing by 23 percent annually. The application also states that volunteers have put in more than 25,000 service hours since 2003, which equals $500,000 in volunteer time.
“The relationships that we have developed with neighboring communities, civic and service organizations, the Chamber of Commerce and faith-based community allow us to build a bridge between public safety and the citizens that we serve, which increases our capacity for action in the event of a large scale disaster, local emergency or crisis,” the RCCC application states.
FEMA selected the finalists based on innovative practices and achievements, as well as excellence in community emergency planning, successful public-private partnerships, creative problem solving and other criteria.
FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate, National Emergency Management Association incoming President David Maxwell and International Association of Emergency Managers President Russ Decker will name the winners at the National Conference on Community Preparedness Aug. 9 to 12 in the Washington, D.C. area.
Other award categories include Outstanding State/Territory Citizen Corps Initiatives, Oustanding Citizen Corps Council, Collaborative Preparedness Planning, Preparing the Public and Preparing Community Organizations.
The winners will receive recognition at the conference and on the national Citizen Corps Web site, but no monetary awards will be given.
RCCC has not won any awards at the national level, but it has received honors at the state level and a regional award from FEMA.
RCCC encompasses the Citizen Emergency Response Team, the Rowlett Fire Corps, Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service. It includes a core membership of more than 140 volunteers from three counties.
For information on RCCC, visit its Web site at RowlettCitizenCorps.org. For information on the national organization, visit CitizenCorps.gov.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency selected the Rowlett Citizen Corps Council as one of four finalists in its inaugural National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards. Rowlett is competing against a council from Harris County, Texas; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; and a group from Arizona for the Volunteer Integration Award.
RCCC President Whitney Laning said he is honored that the organization is one of the first to be considered for FEMA’s award.
“It’s confirmation of the commitment and dedication that our volunteers have toward citizen corps programs,” Laning said. “It positions us as a true leader in citizen corps efforts throughout the country.”
RCCC outlined its mission, described program participants and explained its goals in its three-page application for the award. It states that the council is continuously growing with service hours increasing by 23 percent annually. The application also states that volunteers have put in more than 25,000 service hours since 2003, which equals $500,000 in volunteer time.
“The relationships that we have developed with neighboring communities, civic and service organizations, the Chamber of Commerce and faith-based community allow us to build a bridge between public safety and the citizens that we serve, which increases our capacity for action in the event of a large scale disaster, local emergency or crisis,” the RCCC application states.
FEMA selected the finalists based on innovative practices and achievements, as well as excellence in community emergency planning, successful public-private partnerships, creative problem solving and other criteria.
FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate, National Emergency Management Association incoming President David Maxwell and International Association of Emergency Managers President Russ Decker will name the winners at the National Conference on Community Preparedness Aug. 9 to 12 in the Washington, D.C. area.
Other award categories include Outstanding State/Territory Citizen Corps Initiatives, Oustanding Citizen Corps Council, Collaborative Preparedness Planning, Preparing the Public and Preparing Community Organizations.
The winners will receive recognition at the conference and on the national Citizen Corps Web site, but no monetary awards will be given.
RCCC has not won any awards at the national level, but it has received honors at the state level and a regional award from FEMA.
RCCC encompasses the Citizen Emergency Response Team, the Rowlett Fire Corps, Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service. It includes a core membership of more than 140 volunteers from three counties.
For information on RCCC, visit its Web site at RowlettCitizenCorps.org. For information on the national organization, visit CitizenCorps.gov.
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