Thursday, January 8, 2015

Community Emergency Response Team Trainings

Would you know what to do if you were the first to arrive at the scene of an accident, a flash flood or other emergency or disaster? Would you like to learn?

The Atlantic County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is accepting volunteer members who are interested in receiving education and training in disaster preparedness and response to help supplement and support emergency personnel. CERT members learn basic safety skills to help keep themselves, their families and their neighborhoods safer in the event of an emergency. CERT members may provide care, stabilization and information following an event when first responders are not immediately available as well as assistance at emergency operation centers and evacuation shelters.

The CERT program is a national initiative that was established after the September 11, 2001 attacks as part of the Citizens Corps volunteer program. The CERT concept developed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department which recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. With basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills, their ability to survive until emergency personnel could arrive would be greatly increased.

The Atlantic County CERT was formed in 2004 and has trained more than 400 individuals, age 18 years and older.

The next series of classes will begin on Monday, February 23. Classes will be held on Monday evenings, 7-10 PM, through April 6, 2015 at the Atlantic County Anthony “Tony” Canale Training Center, 5033 English Creek Avenue, Egg Harbor Township.

The free training is limited to 30 participants who are required to attend all seven classes.

To register, email your name and phone number to: volunteer@readyatlantic.org or call Don Weger, Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management, at (609) 407-6764.

County News