Homeland Security Reserve
I have seen many commercials about older folks volunteering their time to help others in need. Then I started to think about a VOLUNTEER reserve unit of retired police officers available during national emergencies. As volunteers, they would not be paid but receive travel expenses and per-diem or room and board. This unit would be an auxiliary to help during national disasters such as 9/11 or Katrina. The United ...more »
I have seen many commercials about older folks volunteering their time to help others in need. Then I started to think about a VOLUNTEER reserve unit of retired police officers available during national emergencies. As volunteers, they would not be paid but receive travel expenses and per-diem or room and board.
This unit would be an auxiliary to help during national disasters such as 9/11 or Katrina. The United States Coast Guard has a well-developed auxiliary unit based along the same principals, composed primarily of retired Coast Guard and Navy service members. They provide all the same services as the Coast Guard, except that they do not have arrest powers.
During natural disasters, The Coast Guard Auxiliary assists in providing back up communication services. During the very busy hurricane season of 2005, much of the Florida peninsula lost Coast Guard communication ability. The Coast Auxiliary put to sea up and down the coast relaying information to assist distressed mariners. The Auxiliary also helped provide test platforms at various distances from shore in the operational testing and evaluation of the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system.
Clearly initial and in-service training would be needed to keep proficiency in physical fitness, firearms, EMT, and paramedic training. Training could be accomplished with existing,resources at county, state, and federal facilities with federal funding. The funding would be minimal, but the combined experience of retired LEO’s would be invaluable.
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