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Established in 1994, Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism in California (GOSERV) used to be an organization dedicated specifically to promoting public service and volunteerism throughout California. In 2004, GOSERV changed its name to California Service Corps (CSC), which suggests that the organization broadens the scope of its activities to involve a more sophisticated mission--to

unite Californians through volunteerism to build safer communities. Undoubtedly, this change can be partly attributed to the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

After the 9/11 terrorist attack, which inflicted grave damage on the United States both physically and psychologically, the local communities in California and GOSERV were alerted to the enormity and atrocity of the disastrous assault on American soil. Their greatest concern, however, was the prevailing public apathy and lack of preparation, as well as the lack of governmental focus on citizen preparedness under the circumstance of emergencies.

To confront these challenges, CSC decided to established Volunteer Emergency Management & Homeland Security Programs unit and appointed Adam Sutkus as director of the Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) programs. Since its inception, CERT has deliberately developed a series of programs which seek to train and coordinate volunteer efforts during disasters including terrorist attacks. The programs are based off the national model for a Citizen Corps Council membership, but specially adapted to the format for emergency management in California.

Although the 9/11 terrorist attack directly led to the creation of this unit, CERT did not focus on the threat of terrorism alone. It embraced itself for all hazards — to handle any disaster, whether man-made or natural.

Over the past few months, CERT, with the help from and interaction with National Emergency Management Association, National Governor’s Association, International Association of Emergency Managers, has been functioning effectively. It endeavored to education the citizens by giving grants for preparedness activity, public education, and local coordination through “citizen corps councils” at the community level to engage the public and first responders together in planning and training. Tens of thousands of volunteers around the state have been mobilized. As far as demographic distribution is concerned, volunteers at the neighborhood level tend to be older; but this is not the case at the city and county level. Most importantly, the responses CERT received so far and the number of people engaged in this cause suggest the programs have been welcomed and helpful.

Yet, the major hurdle CERT is now faced with is finance. Without stable and sufficient financing, CERT will not be able to carry out its high mission, in the long run, of educating the public to prepare for any kind of hazard, including terrorist attacks. Its immediate concern, however, is its own sustainability.