Volunteers For Newtown Community Emergency Response Team Sought

By Nancy K. Crevier

Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director Bill Halstead, Director of Newtown Emergency Communications Center Maureen Will, and District Health Director Donna Culbert met Thursday morning, April 19, to discuss plans to implement a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Newtown.

After-action assessment of emergency response to Tropical Storm Irene in August and Storm Alfred in October was the extra push needed to bring to fruition plans for the CERT, said Chief Halstead. “It’s something we’ve been going to do for several years,” he said.

Volunteer citizens would go through online and a two-evening/one-day training process to become CERT certified, said Ms Will.

“Right now we are generating interest in this program,” she said. A meeting for interested citizens, ages 18 years and up, will take place Tuesday evening, June 12, at the Sandy Hook Fire House on Riverside Road, from 7 to 8:30. This meeting will clarify the purpose of CERT, explain commitments, and provide an opportunity for potential volunteers to ask questions. A CERT training date for up to 25 volunteers will be selected following the June 12 orientation. A minimum of ten people is required in order to hold the training.

The three emergency preparedness officials anticipate a strong response from the Newtown community in response to this request for volunteers.

CERT is a concept developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in the mid-1980s for the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees to assist first responders with immediate needs in case of major disasters, according to the CERT website, citizencorps.gov. The training “increases [team members’] ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors,” and emphasizes that “This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.”

Newtown’s first responders rose to the occasions in handling the August and October storms, as they do with other emergency situations, but Chief Halstead noted that without the kind of assistance that CERT would provide, “You stretch your resources. We got it done, but at a cost.”

Citizens did step up to help during Tropical Storm Irene and Storm Alfred, Ms Culbert said. “I think we have resources, but CERT will provide us with people who are better trained and better organized. Having a trained group will certainly benefit us,” she said.

Proper training and organization of volunteers can help towns prevent additional injuries and deaths that occur in times of disaster when well-intentioned people attempt to assist others in need and become victims, themselves.

CERT training is perfect for people who want to do something for the community, but may not have time to commit to a fire company or ambulance corps. Nonetheless, a certain amount of commitment is necessary for anyone considering CERT training, said Ms Will, including for training, availability during crises, and some on-going training as needed.

CERT volunteers will receive training in disaster preparedness, including actions those participants and families should take before, during, and after a disaster, and how these volunteers can help family members and neighbors in a safe and appropriate manner. Disaster fire suppression will be covered briefly, but Ms Culbert emphasized that no volunteer would ever be put in harm’s way. Chief Halstead stressed that a CERT volunteer is not a first responder and would not be “in the thick of things.” Volunteers would be instructed in the proper use of fire extinguishers, he said.

Basic first aid, triage skills, how to establish a medical treatment area, and how to perform a head to toe assessment is covered in CERT medical training for disasters. Participants will learn about search and rescue planning and techniques. The course also addresses signs and symptoms of stress that might be experienced by victims and workers, as well as organization and management principles and need for documentation.

CERT volunteers will be valuable in releasing first responders to prioritize during emergencies, said Chief Halstead. While they will work with the first responders, volunteers will be used to handle situations such as traffic control, getting supplies, and providing other support. They will assist in guiding other community members through new processes, such as shelters or public shower facilities, distributing water and meals, and replenishing supplies.

“There are so many needs that can be filled by CERT members,” Ms Culbert said. “There is no limitation on what people can do, even senior citizens. That section of the population has time and is committed to the community,” she noted, “and, I will add, are pretty darn smart.”

Safety equipment required for the course will be supplied. CERT training is state funded, so there is no cost to volunteers.

An instructor from Ridgefield will lead the first training class, said Ms Will. Ridgefield, New Milford, and Bethel currently have CERT programs in place. These towns have found the training to be successful, she said, and towns with CERT certified volunteers would be able to assist each other when needed.

“Sharing and allocation of resources will be beneficial to Newtown and the surrounding towns with CERT volunteers,” Ms Will said.

For more information or to register for the June 12 Newtown CERT program, call 203-270-4370. More information about CERT can be found at citizencorps.gov.