In January 2006, Mayor Mike Gin announced, at his State of the City address, his initiative to revitalize the City of Redondo Beach's Citizen Corp Council which primary mission is to promote volunteerism through the President’s USA Freedom Corps. Since then, the following indivisuals have been seleceted representing a cross-mix of community interest to make-up the Citizen Corps Council. Citizen Corp Council Committee: Dan Madrigal; Fire Chief Pat Aust; Councilman, District 3 Lisa Burke; Business Owner Marcelle McCullough, CERT Carol Thompson; Neighborhood Watch Eric Moberg, Volunteers in Policing Marna Smeltzer; Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Regaldo; Red Cross/Emergency Preparedness Director Vacant - Salvation Army Dante Jackson, District Administrator/Redondo Beach School District Dan Trejo, Asst. District Mgr. Dominguez Water District Dr. Issac Jakubowicz; Medical Director, LA County Health Department Jared Van Sloten, Chairman; Public Safety Commission Jason Schroeder, Vice-Chairman; Public Safety Commission The following actions items have been established by the Committee: Committee Meetings Monthly meetings have been established and meet on the second Wednesday of each month in the 3rd floor conference room of the Beach Cities Health District and are open to the public. Assignment List A list of assignments has been developed to keep the committee on track and the momentum moving forward. Citizen Corps Council The following is a list various sectors that are represented by the council: o Medical Profession o Redondo Beach Unified School District o Beach Cities Health District o North and South Senior Communities o Chamber of Commerce o Public Safety Commission o Salvation Army o Public Utilities Medical Reserves Corps The Beach Cities Health District, a public entity which promotes health and wellness throughout the South Bay, has agreed to take the lead on contacting and establishing the Medical Reserves Corps. The BCHD is an integral part of the medical community and has a number of contacts to rely upon, in order to establish a number of qualified persons currently in or retired from the medical profession. Newsletters from the BCHD and the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce will also be used to circulate information for those interested. Care and Shelter Emergency Information Care and sheltering locations were identified and a preliminary directory was developed. The Red Cross has trained 14 individuals as shelter managers. City Employee Emergency Resource Guide A resource guide has been developed to assist employees in locating much needed supplies during an emergency. Expand CERT Training CERT training will be expanded to train city employees, in addition to the business community through the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce. Coordinate Citizen Corps Council with Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) The Citizen Corps Council will be folded into the city’s Standard Emergency Management System and will soon be transitioned into the new National Incident Management System Plan which is an expanded version of SEMS that includes private and community based volunteer groups. SEMS was approved by the Redondo Beach City Council in February 2002 and is currently being implemented when local emergencies arise. Communications Plan Communication is an important part of the program and an integral part of its success. A communications plan has been developed and is a component of our SEMS/NIMS protocol and ensures that our volunteer community is educated on the importance and need for their participation. Increase Block Party Program Promotion The Redondo Beach Block Party Program encourages residents to get to know their neighbors and develop their own Neighborhood Watch team which is a component of the Citizen Corp Council. The Police and Fire departments visit the block parties as a goodwill gesture and to get to know the neighbors themselves.   The Block Party application can be obtained through the City's Public Works Department at 531 North Gertruda Ave., Redondo Beach.  Office hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. (310)318-0687 ext. 4587. The program provides tables and chairs, volleyball equipment, traffic delineators for blocking off neighborhood streets, and a large barbeque. Program Updates Community Emergency Response Team "CERT" - Currently 1100 graduates, goal was initially established at 650 (one percent of the city’s population) currently approaching 2% of the population. Completed 42 academies, next class will begin Sept. 9th through Oct 30th, 2010. Neighborhood/Business Watch - Currently 45 block groups and 25 programs including vacation security, home security checks and holiday crime prevention programs. Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) - Currently 21 volunteers, goal is 30 Medical/Psychological Reserve Corps - Currently over 25 participating members. Citizen Police Academy - Over 400 graduates to date Police Reserves - Currently 9, goal is 20 Police Chaplains - Currently 4, goal is 10