Over the next few months, nonprofit organizations will attempt to recruit 37,000 volunteers to support homeland security missions in their own communities.
"Homeland security starts at home in our hometowns," said Tom Ridge, White House director of homeland security, as he announced $10.3 million in grants to 43 nonprofit groups and public organizations in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
The funds represent seed money set aside to build the foundation of the USA Freedom Corps that President Bush announced in his State of the Union address in January. More than 200 projects were proposed by organizations seeking more than $52 million.
Although some of the programs will use volunteers from AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps to supplement public safety, public health and disaster preparedness and relief efforts, many of the grants are earmarked for traditional relief agencies.
The Greater New York American Red Cross will receive $500,000 to recruit and train leaders for a rapid deployment force of 5,000 volunteers with the skills needed in the event of a major disaster or another terrorist attack.
The American Radio Relay League, based in Connecticut, will receive $181,900 to train amateur radio operators who would provide emergency communications during emergencies.
The American Red Cross in Washington will get nearly $100,000 to develop disaster preparedness and mitigation programs in the nation's capital. That proposal includes training for retired nurses and other health care professionals. The district is also receiving $400,000 to recruit 2,000 new volunteers for a Neighborhood Citizens Corps.
"We're improving all those systems even if terrorism doesn't come," said John Bridgeland, director of the USA Freedom Corps.
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