Caddo-Bossier Citizen Corps Council formed 05/06/03

Community leaders in Caddo and Bossier parishes have formed the Caddo-Bossier Citizen Corp Council in response to President George W. Bush’s appeal to all Americans to perform service to others.

After the 9/11 attacks, Bush asked Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives in service to others. The USA Freedom Corps initiative was subsequently launched to assist Americans in finding ways to serve their communities.

One component of the Freedom Corps is the Citizen Corps Leadership Council, a coordinating body made up of community leaders who can organize volunteer efforts and locate resources necessary to implement the four programs within the corps: Neighborhood Watch Program, Community Emergency Response Team, Volunteers in Police Service and the Medical Reserve Corps.

Dr. Michael J. Torma currently heads the Caddo-Bossier Citizen Corps Council, which had its initial quarterly meeting at LSUS in mid-April. The council heard presentations from Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, 8th Air Force Commander; Elizabeth Oliver, state Citizen Corps coordinator; Kelvin Cochran, Shreveport fire chief, and Chuck Maziotti, director of the Caddo-Bossier Office of Emergency Preparedness.

The next Citizen Corps Council meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. July 23 at LSUS.