The best call is the one that never happens, and anything EMS organizations can do to help keep their communities safe enhances their value and facilitates their mission. The Citizen Corps' "Critical Days of Summer" campaign is designed to help educate citizens to the dangers the outdoor season brings, and offers opportunities for EMS to work with community partners and promote safety education.

The campaign centers on four aspects of summer safety: traffic safety, boating safety, drowning prevention and prevention of heat stress. Providers are encouraged to use these outreach themes to promote civic engagement, public safety, preparedness, resilience and volunteerism. They can serve as platforms for work with other Citizen Corps partners and affiliates to promote awareness, conduct events, spread safety messages and otherwise improve community preparedness.

Local Citizen Corps Council members and their partners can contact local representatives from various organizations to learn how to best reach out to citizens and local media.

Other occasions for potential outreach and community involvement in late June and through July include:

• Educating community members about the dangers of lightning and summer thunderstorms;
• "United We Serve": President Barack Obama's United We Serve initiative--a call for Americans to engage in community service--runs through Sept. 11. It emphasizes community organization and resilience. A dedicated website (www.serve.gov) provides resources such as a registration tool for local preparedness projects, information on volunteer opportunities, and toolkits for new service projects.
• Independence Day: Fire and fireworks safety information can be distributed at summer events throughout the community.
• Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act: July 26 marks the 19th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. Many individuals with special needs and disabilities may have an increased vulnerability to disasters. Citizen Corps Councils and partner groups may wish to develop plans for special-needs citizens, host educational events, or work with partners to improve special-needs preparedness.

Click here for more on the Citizen Corps' weekly and monthly outreach themes.