§ 2-1102. Findings of fact.

1.

The Board of County Commissioners ("Board") finds that the President of the United States, through the Office of Homeland Security, had asked our citizens to volunteer through local governments to assist in the fight against terrorism in response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01. In 2011, the release of Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8: National Preparedness, indicated the goal of strengthening the security and resilience of the United States is through systematic preparation for the threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the Nation. With the 2015 update to the National Preparedness Goal, FEMA follows a whole community approach to all hazards preparedness recognizing that everyone can contribute to and benefit from national preparedness efforts.

2.

Chapter 125, Florida Statutes, authorizes the board to adopt ordinances creating advisory committees.

3.

The Board finds that the original creation of a Citizens Corps ("Committee") was necessary to provide information to the citizens of Collier County and to act as a coordinating agency for the enhancement of activities that support emergency services, law enforcement and disaster prevention, preparedness and response. While these activities remain in effect, a modernized focus of the Committee is imperative to update the roles and responsibilities with an all hazards approach across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.

4.

The Board finds that the Committee is necessary to facilitate communication between Collier County and State and Federal agencies on all hazard activities as well as to enable Collier County to identify outside resources such as grants, training opportunities and equipment.

5.

The Board finds that the Committee will assist in the recruitment of volunteers by publicizing and expanding existing community programs such as: Medical Reserve, Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS), Volunteers in Emergency Management, and other public safety and law enforcement programs.

(Ord. No. 02-56, § 2, 11-5-02; Ord. No. 2016-21, § 2)