Jacobs Encourages Volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) is encouraging qualified residents to volunteer as members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. The program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response and recovery skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

“Becoming a CERT member will give you some peace of mind and the knowledge that you’re helping your family, friends and community,” Jacobs said. “Now that we are in the middle of hurricane season, it is important that we have dedicated and well-trained volunteers equipped to handle emergency response wherever it is needed.”

Everyone can help and anyone can be a valuable team member. Becoming a CERT member is interesting, fun and free. Start with Basic Training and build a body of knowledge through ongoing training classes and hands-on exercises.

The next course starts Wednesday, October 10. The course is three hours per class for eight nights, once a week.

Class 1: Wed., Jan. 29 – Intro, Organization, What is CERT?

Class 2: Wed., Feb. 5 – Disaster Medical Operations I & II

Class 3: Wed., Feb. 12 – Light Search & Rescue

Class 4: Wed., Feb. 19 – Terrorism, Disaster Psychology

Class 5: Wed., Feb. 26 – Fire suppression and Part I Table Top Exercise

Class 6: Wed., Mar. 4 – Part II Table Top, Sheltering Introduction

Class 7: Wed., Mar. 10 – Hands-on Exercise: Disaster Triage and Radio Operations

Class 8: Wed., Mar. 18 – What’s Next, Community Outreach and Graduation

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., instruction runs from 7-10 p.m. Classes take place at the Mid Island Y/JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road in Plainview. For information, call (516) 573-0636, or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OEM/CC/CERT.