CITY LEADS IN PROGRAMS TO BUILD VOLUNTEER CORPS.

Byline: - Rick Orlov

In his continuing effort to promote volunteerism as part of Homeland Security, President George W. Bush is set today to announce plans to create a nationwide citizens corps for emergency responses, citing efforts such as those already under way in Los Angeles.

Mayor James Hahn is among 14 mayors and other local officials in Knoxville, Tenn., where they are meeting with the president over plans to create Citizen Corps Councils. The organizations would coordinate such efforts as Community Emergency Response Teams, Neighborhood Watch and Reserve Officer programs, said John Bridgeland, director of U.S.A. Freedom Corps.

``By creating these councils, the president believes it will create a culture of service and responsibility,'' Bridgeland said during a conference call on Sunday. ``The president feels we are at a unique moment of history. This is designed to ensure that, 30 and 40 years from now, we will have transformed for people to think of service and citizenship.

``The president wants to shine a spotlight on these activities.''

Hahn supports the president's efforts and is a strong supporter of volunteer programs, a spokesman said Sunday.

``Los Angeles has been at the forefront with volunteer programs. But since Sept. 11 more needs to be done to improve security in the city,'' spokesman Matt Middlebrook said.

``In addition to citywide security, which has been a priority for the mayor, we need the type of coordination of programs the president is talking about. Anything that gets more citizens involved is a good thing, not only in dealing with terrorism, but in fighting crime and improving the quality of life.''

Bush focused on the need for Americans to volunteer in a variety of programs during his State of the Union address and there has been a positive response, Bridgeland said. More than 25,000 people have offered their time through the White House Internet page at www.citizencorps.gov.

Many of the programs, such as Neighborhood Watch, already are in operation, but Bush wants to see part of their function to evolve to deal with the threat of terrorism, Bridgeland said.

Bush has asked for $230 million in federal funding to be made available to cover training costs for the citizen councils.

``Some programs, like CERT in Los Angeles, have higher costs because training is involved,'' Bridgeland said. ``Others, like Neighborhood Watch, have little cost.''

CERT is a program operated by the Los Angeles Fire Department that trains volunteers in emergency responses. It was developed to respond to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, but has taken on an expanded role since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Bridgeland said the federal government will coordinate the activities of the various councils, but each one will be tailored to meet local needs.

``This will be part of the local infrastructure,'' Bridgeland said. ``We think these also will be effective in crime prevention, response to natural disaster and public health problems.