Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) Course to Begin in Lakewood

Posted on December 30, 2015 By

A six-week long, thorough and comprehensive C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) training course will begin in Lakewood on January 4, 2016.

C.E.R.T. courses are designed to educate local residents about many aspects of disaster preparedness for any number of situations that may occur. The course trains individuals in basic disaster and emergency response skills in classroom and live exercise settings. C.ER.T. volunteers are taught how they can assist and work together with local First Responder Units in the community to assist them in their work.

Among the many topics that will be covered and taught by certified by C.E.R.T. teachers are assisting in evacuations of homes and buildings during emergencies; helping with shelter operations for displaced persons; initial damage assessment; assisting in searches for missing persons; assisting in HAZMAT scene situations; staffing First Aid stations for large events; public support at community events; storm spotting and preparation; and much more lifesaving ways anyone can help First Responders in all types of situations.

Lakewood Chief Rob Lawson said, “Attendees will learn very practical things that citizens can help the Police Department and other First Response teams with. When we have large-scale emergencies, our resources are overwhelmed. Citizens can be of assistance and help the emergency response agencies, and that’s a very good thing for the town. Graduates of the course will receive C.E.R.T. certification and will be able to join C.E.R.T. teams. The program is open to anyone interested in being part of a C.E.R.T. team, and I encourage people to consider attending the courses.”

The C.E.R.T. training course will be held one evening a week from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. Space in the course is limited and attendees must preregister. Anyone interested should email Chief Lawson at rlawson@lakewoodpolicenj.com for an application and details about the location. All applicants will be considered on a first-come first-serve basis. Those who miss the space limit for this year’s course, will be put on the waiting list for next year’s course.

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