Citizen Corps in North Central Texas: New Directions
by Melanie Devine, North Central Texas Council of Governments
 Dynamic. Innovative. Inspirational. These words could easily be from a motivational speaker review, but they are all terms that have been used to describe the diverse Citizen Corps programs active in North Central Texas (NCT). Perhaps of greater interest, these words of praise have come directly from emergency management professionals and other local leaders who work closely with Citizen Corps programs (CCP).Regular utilization of Citizen Corp programs – CERT, MRC, Fire Corps, VIPS and NeighborhoodsOnWatch – in local emergency management is a relatively new concept. Past emergency planning was largely at the exclusion of citizen volunteers. However, as old fears and barriers continue to fall away, collaborative partnerships between local government and trained citizen groups are exploding throughout the NCT region. Denton County has set the bar high by openly supporting their Citizen Corps teams, both in words and deeds. Jody Gonzalez, Denton County Fire Marshall and EMC, provides funding, equipment, facilities and numerous opportunities for citizen volunteers; and established a permanent office in the county EOC for Denton County Volunteer/CERT Coordinator, volunteer Brenda Gormley. By empowering and supporting Brenda and other Citizen Corps leaders, such as MRC leader Sandi Wiggins, Gonzalez has created a textbook atmosphere of cooperative regionalism stretching far beyond the borders of Denton County. He continually leads the region by example, instilling a region-wide appreciation of all Citizen Corps groups by including them, along with elected officials and other local leaders, in his emergency operation planning and activations. In turn, Denton County has one of the strongest grass roots initial response networks in the state – with members at ready to support themselves as well as their families, communities, region and state in times of need.
Parker County has also become a model for local government and citizen collaborations. During the April wildfires, Parker County Fire Marshall and EMC Shawn Scott did not hesitate to activate his CERT resources. The Parker County CERT team, led and trained by Kit Marshall, County Community Liaison for Emergency Preparedness and mayor of Aledo, was able to provide needed assistance during a time when local resources were exhausted. Scott’s support for CERT training in multiple disciplines, including ICS, ensured the versatility in capabilities necessary for his confidence and trust. Mega organizations such as the Best Southwest Unified Citizen Corps Council, which trains, exercises, and supports Citizen Corps programs in several jurisdictions and two counties, could not have survived without the staunch support of local leaders like DeSoto Fire Chief Fred Hart. A true champion of citizen preparedness, Chief Hart’s dedication is perfectly complemented by the support of other local officials in DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville and other cities in Dallas and Ellis counties. This support, combined with the inspiring work of volunteer CERT leaders Don Dewberry and Gordy VanSteenberg, has enabled a fledging DeSoto CERT team to grow into a respected, multi-jurisdictional team with a wait list of over 60 citizens in just over one year. Also leading by example are the cities of Rowlett, Sachse, McKinney and dozens of other cities and towns throughout the region. The fact that these cities are too numerous to name is a testament to the rapid fundamental changes occurring in emergency management in the NCT region. Once considered taboo, incorporation of trained citizen volunteers into emergency plans, exercises and response actions is now viewed as critical to maximizing local resources and reducing potential losses.
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