State gets FEMA grant to train volunteers

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Nevada a $250,000 grant to help develop a Citizen Corps.

Gov. Kenny Guinn credited Frank Siracuse, who heads the state's emergency management programs, for obtaining the grant.

The money will be used to develop Citizen Corps Councils and provide training for residents in emergency response skills.

"This is a visionary program that will benefit Nevadans and help get our communities directly involved in the homeland security initiative," said Guinn.

"This grant will give Nevada and its local communities a down payment on plans to have all citizens better prepared to respond to disasters of all kinds and to build a nation prepared," said Jeff Griffin, the former Reno mayor who was recently named FEMA regional director.

The Citizen Corps was created to coordinate volunteers to serve homeland security efforts in their communities.