Americans responded to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, with courage and compassion, as well as a renewed commitment to doing good and desire to help others. In January 2002, President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps to capture the spirit of sacrifice that emerged throughout our communities and provide Americans with meaningful opportunities to serve their communities and our country.

Citizen Corps, a vital component of USA Freedom Corps, was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. The Department of Homeland Security coordinates and manages Citizen Corps in partnership with the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Under the Citizen Corps Council umbrella, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch, and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) provide opportunities for everyone in America to directly participate in efforts to improve homeland security. Citizen Corps also partners with national organizations that advance the first responder-citizen preparedness mission as well as no n profit organizations and other federal departments and agencies that provide resources and materials for public education, training, or volunteer service opportunities.