The mission of Border Community SERVICE of Niagara University is to provide emergency preparedness training to citizens and to encourage their participation in opportunities that enhance regional emergency readiness. Border Community SERVICE training for citizen volunteers includes CERT (Community Emergency Response Team training). The project also offers opportunities for trained volunteers to participate in activities designed to enhance regional emergency preparedness. BCS works with numerous emergency service partners to plan and participate in training exercises and drills on various preparedness levels.

The Border Community SERVICE Project provides significant community preparedness training in the WNY area. Currently, the project operates under funding from the City of Buffalo and Niagara County. The Niagara County Legislature approved funding for a one-year continuation of the project in late June 2008 as part of the County's Homeland Security funding.

Community preparedness initiatives include:

• community education at block clubs, schools, churches, senior centers, and community agencies;

• home-based  emergency training to high-risk households with preparedness incentives through “Healthy Neighborhoods”;

• continued CERT training, a comprehensive training program that empowers citizens to respond to the needs of their family, friends, neighbors and colleagues in the event of a disaster;

• support for a Bi-National Emergency Preparedness Conference;

• continued collaboration with first responder agencies and other partners to present area Emergency Preparedness Resource Fairs, Health Department Point-Of-Distribution exercises, and training drills;

• and support to important community resources including the Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps.

From September 2004 through June 2007, a grant from the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) enabled Niagara University’s Border Community SERVICE Project to serve the Western New York area by:

• providing home and personal emergency preparedness educational programs to approximately 3500 households;

• training 225 individuals in the ARC Community First Aid & Safety Course (CPR with AED Skills and First Aid Basics);

• providing the ARC Prepared & Ready Train-the-Trainer Course to 189 volunteers;

• recruiting and training 500 citizen volunteers in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team);

• serving as lead agency for the 2005 & 2006 Bi-National Emergency Preparedness Conferences;

• recruiting, training, offering skills enhancement courses, and maintaining regular communication with more than 600 citizen volunteers;

• maintaining training and participation records for the 600 volunteers; and

• working with regional partners in emergency services, including Niagara Falls Citizen Corps and the Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps, to plan and participate in training exercises and drills.