Citizen Corps

The Office of
Volunteer Services
links citizens with opportunities to share their time with city government. The office recruits, places, tracks and recognizes volunteers for their efforts.

City of Columbia Citizen Corps

The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.

The City of Columbia has a strong Citizen Corps program and offers many ways for citizens to volunteer.

Components of Citizen Corps:

Neighborhood Watch Program:

Neighborhood Watch is one of Columbia’s oldest volunteer programs.
The Neighborhood Watch brings residents together to prevent crime throughout our community. Participants keep their eyes open for suspicious activity and share their observations with the Columbia Police Department.
Currently there are 468 active Neighborhood Watch Groups in Columbia.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT):

CERT volunteers are trained in Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, Team Organization, and Disaster Psychology.
Personnel with the Columbia Fire Department train CERT volunteers.
Neighborhood organizations, businesses, communities of faith, school personnel, and civic clubs may be interested in forming a CERT team.

Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS):

VIPS assist the Columbia Police Department by providing extra eyes and ears throughout the community.
VIPS receive training for their specific task. Volunteers working in the community will learn how to spot and report suspicious behavior. Other volunteers work within the department assisting with administrative tasks and freeing police personnel time for other duties.
There is a wide array of local VIPS opportunities for all ages and abilities, including Citizens on Patrol (COP), Teleserve, Reserve Officers, Police Cadets, and the Park Patrol.

Medical Reserve Corps:

Volunteers assist the Columbia/ Boone County Health Department with health education, immunizations, and with medical emergencies.
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will assist in distributing the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in the event of a terrorist attack or other wide-spread medical emergency.
Volunteers with and without medical backgrounds can participate in this volunteer program.
Contact Dan Schneiderjohn to learn more about the Medical Reserve Corps: (573) 817-6401 or DRSCHNEI@GoColumbiaMO.com .

Complete an application to volunteer.

Residents are also encouraged to take personal responsibility to prepare for a disaster at home and work. Visit the Office of Emergency Management’s site to learn more.