Posted November. 10, 2001 13:13,
U.S. President George W. Bush stated in his speech on November 8 that the war against terrorism requires the government and the people ``to assume new responsibilities.`` and urged the establishment of a volunteer civil defense force.
At a national televised speech given by President Bush in Atlanta, Georgia, he said, ``We will ask state and local officials to create a new, modern civil defense service similar to local volunteer fire departments to respond to local emergencies when the manpower of governments is stretched thin.``
He added that Americans can help the war against terror by volunteering in security, hospitals, and fire departments.
The U.S. is planning to recruit 20,000 civilian volunteers by next year in order to aid emergency rescue workers in accomplishing other tasks.
President Bush also explained, ``when we have evidence of credible threats we will issue appropriate alerts. A terrorism alert is not a signal to stop your life. It is a call to be vigilant, to know that your government is on high alert and to add your eyes and ears to our efforts to find and stop those who want to do us harm.``
President Bush stressed ``in the long run the best way to defend our homeland, the best way to make sure our children can live in peace, is to take the battle to the enemy and to stop them. . . . `` and we will defeat them.``