By Andria Simmons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GWINNETT, Ga. — Most people rely on police and firefighters to come to the rescue if disaster strikes, but Tom Mulheron isn’t like most people.
For more than two years, Mulheron has spent at least 10 hours a week learning disaster-preparedness skills. He also has enlisted others to do the same as program director of the Gwinnett Community Emergency Response Team and chairman of the Gwinnett County Citizen Corps.
The two citizen groups are an outflow of President Bush’s post-Sept. 11 agenda to train ordinary citizens to help first responders in the event of emergencies, natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Last week, Mulheron received the Georgia Citizen Corps Volunteer of the Year award presented by Charley English, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the state director of Homeland Security.
Mulheron said his initial motivation for getting involved was simple.
“If you’re always prepared for something, it’s less traumatic on yourself and your family when disasters happen,” Mulheron said.
Working with the Gwinnett Department of Homeland Security, Mulheron, 46, learned techniques for search and rescue, first aid and medical triage, among other skills.
The more he learned, the more interested he became in passing along the knowledge to others. He and a core group of volunteers sought and obtained incorporation as well as nonprofit status for their organization in 2005, so they can now operate without being financially dependent on any government agency.
Maj. Alan Doss, director of the Gwinnett Department of Homeland Security, said he nominated Mulheron for the award because of his impressive dedication.
“There is constant coordination between us. I can’t get rid of him,” Doss joked. “He’s got a lot of ideas.”
Copyright 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution