Spizzirri, Brown Announce Affiliation Between SALF and FEMA

SALF, January 24, 2003

FEMA Deputy Director Mike Brown and SALF President/Founder Carol J. Spizzirri signed a partnership agreement on January 23rd, to work together as part of President Bush's Citizen Corps' initiative, to raise public awareness and emergency prepare communities, with an emphasis on training and educating children and families in life supporting first aid skills.

Mayors from across the country witnessed this historic event unveiled, while congratulation letters poured in from US Congressional leaders and world-renowned emergency medical experts themselves, Peter Safar M.D. (Father of CPR) and Henry Heimlich, M.D. (Father of the Heimlich Maneuver). "SALF has established itself as the so far most effective organization in reaching out to the masses with LSFA skill acquisition", wrote Safar. While Doctor Heimlich commended this merging of these two agencies by writing "Your cooperative effort will be successful and save many lives because SALF has the experience of teaching lifesaving measures to masses of people - school children."

Citizen Corps' Council members, Mayors Rita Mullins, Palatine, IL and Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights, IL opened the conference with an introduction of "What Citizen Corps' Means to The Mayor" and the importance of SALF's mission, "training and developing people as volunteers, equipped with life supporting first aid skills to aid in an emergency", as mayors develop their strategic plan to prepare their cities against man made, natural or personal disasters.

"What was once a Mom working from her kitchen table, has sprung to national perspective and has become an instrumental part in securing all communities against life threatening emergencies through this FEMA and Citizen Corps' affiliation", Mayor Mullins commented as she introduced Carol Spizzirri.

Since September 11th, mayors have become aggressive with issues related to emergency training within their community. At the October 2001 USCM's "Emergency Summit", hundred of mayors came together to share their concerns and establish "Best Practices" as the new office of "Homeland Security" was being discussed. Testifying at this Summit, Spizzirri drew attention to the Pre-EMS role of the citizen as the "Immediate Providers". "At a time of a catastrophic emergency, it's the mayor who is on the front line and they need to know that their citizens are secure until advance care providers arrive". Spizzirri testified.

Spizzirri commended President Bush for his commitment to the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and the creation of Citizen Corps'. "Mayors are not alone in their quest to emergency prepare their community," Spizzirri said. "Citizens, especially children, will now have the ability to protect themselves, and or, family members if they are faced with a life threatening emergency.

Mayors listened attentively as Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Department of Homeland Security and the National Chairman for the Citizen Corps' Councils, Mike Brown took the podium "Everyone can do something to spread the word about emergency preparedness and first aid, and the affiliation between Citizen Corps' and the Save A Life Foundation will help bring that message to the American people," Brown said. "I look forward to working with SALF and to expanding Citizen Corps' network of affiliate organizations and programs to make our nation safer and better prepared than ever before." Brown encouraged mayors to incorporate SALF's energy into their policy platform, which could only prove to be a successful means for re-election as well as saving the lives of their citizens.

The contract adds SALF as an affiliate to the four charter Citizen Corps' programs: Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Medical Reserve Corps. Additionally, SALF now joins the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in their Citizen Corps' affiliate program.

Issuing a call to service for all Americans to embrace a spirit of volunteerism, President Bush announced the creation of USA Freedom Corps in this State of the Union address last January. The President established Citizen Corps', a component of USA Freedom Corps, to provide people the opportunity to volunteer in a range of homeland security measures within their communities.

Citizen Corps' mission is to harness the power of individual citizens through education, training, and volunteer opportunities to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for the threats of terrorism, crime, public health risks, and disasters of all kinds. FEMA and SALF will now coordinate these volunteer opportunities through Citizen Corps' Councils.

Mayors and guests surrounded the dual signing and exchanging of plaques. Brown and Spizzirri will meet again on February 4-5th at FEMA Headquarters in DC to discuss future plans.