[LeArc] ARLB041 ARRL becomes an affiliate program of Citizen Corps

[Tony Coniglio]

> SB QST @ ARL $ARLB041
> ARLB041 ARRL becomes an affiliate program of Citizen Corps
> 
> ZCZC AG41
> QST de W1AW  
> ARRL Bulletin 41  ARLB041
> >From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  June 24, 2003
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB QST ARL ARLB041
> ARLB041 ARRL becomes an affiliate program of Citizen Corps
> 
> ARRL now is an official affiliate program of Citizen Corps, an
> initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance
> public preparedness and safety. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP,
> signed a formal Statement of Affiliation between DHS and ARRL during
> the ARRL 2003 National Convention June 21 in Dallas, Texas.
> 
> Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response
> Directorate (FEMA) Ron Castleman represented DHS at the signing.
> Citizen Corps Liaison to the White House Liz DiGregorio called ham
> radio operators the ''first of the first responders.''
> 
> ''You are there. You are part of that very, very first response when
> it happens locally,'' especially in the initial stages of an
> emergency or disaster, DiGregorio told the overflow audience at the
> signing ceremony. She urged amateurs to explore ways to expand their
> role in the community beyond being the last resort when other
> communication systems fail. ''You need to show your community that
> you're engaged,'' she said. ''They need to know as a community that
> ARRL is there.''
> 
> Among other things, the affiliation statement calls on DHS and ARRL
> to raise public awareness of Amateur Radio as a safety resource. In
> addition, DHS and ARRL will cooperate in providing training and
> accreditation for Amateur Radio emergency communications and promote
> the formation of local Citizen Corps councils.
> NNNN
> /EX