MONROE, CT — There is still time to sign up for free training to become a member of the Monroe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), giving you the opportunity to help emergency services and your neighbors during natural disasters and other situations.
The 24 hour training program, which also covers course materials, is available to those age 18 and older. Training sessions will be held on two Friday evenings and two Saturdays in October and November. Most sessions will be at the Monroe Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road.
CERT Coordinator David York said CERT has been instrumental in providing vaccine clinics to the community, as well as assisting with all activities for the recent bicentennial, and assisting police officers with traffic control for Memorial Day parades and the CT United Ride.
When disaster strikes, CERT members provide assistance to first responders, including police, firefighters and the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Services personnel, as well as shelter personnel, residents and neighbors.
Seven local members of Monroe CERT, all certified as CERT instructors by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will lead the sessions with local instructors from police, fire and EMS.
A minimum of 20 hours training is needed to join CERT. Volunteers will learn emergency skills, including disaster psychology, first aid, CPR, AED, fire safety, traffic control, hazardous materials awareness, emergency shelters, light search and rescue, disaster scenarios and terrorism response.
For information, email David York at [email protected] or call him at 203-650-8474. Classes are limited to 25 people, so those interested should register as soon as possible.
The class schedule begins with an orientation at the Monroe Senior Center on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Training sessions will be held Friday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 26, and on Nov. 8 and 9. Graduation is Thursday, Nov. 21.
In addition to the Senior Center, some classes will be held at Monroe Fire Station No. 1. Other locations will be announced. The training is sponsored by Monroe Emergency Management and the Monroe Police Department.
