The safety of our families is vitally important. So is the safety of the community in which we live. I’m sure that we have all experienced a time when assistance from anyone and everyone was desperately needed.
From hurricanes, floods, fires, and everything in between, we have relied on the help of others to protect our lives and property. This is why Somerset County Emergency Services is looking to revamp the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Most everyone looks for ways to give back to their community. Many look to the volunteer fire or medical services as a way to accomplish this. However, not everyone has the time to devote to the amount of training required and some are not physically able to perform the work.
That is why CERT is a great alternative. CERT training not only prepares you to help protect your family during emergencies but working together as a team can help you to protect your friends and neighbors as well.
CERT does not replace the highly trained firefighters, EMS providers, and law enforcement personnel. Instead, CERT members work to support these groups. CERT members can help out with almost any type of need. CERT members could be called upon to assist with traffic control at not only at emergency scenes but local events.
Members will learn search and rescue skills, emergency communications, and all about Incident Command Systems and response. As we have often seen, the volunteer fire and medical services in this county are stretched thin.
CERT members could be called upon to assist the fire and EMS services by distributing water, food, or cooling packs as needed. There is no limit to the ways in which CERT members can help in any situation.
CERT Teams are made up of 100% volunteers and are not eligible for payment by the county for their time served. We are looking to see if there are enough people interested in joining a Somerset County CERT team.
Anyone over the age of 18 can take the training. You will be required to pass a criminal background check. We must get and maintain at least 20 people in the class.
Please contact Jerred A. Johnson, Emergency Planner / Public Information Officer, at 410-651-3457 or by email at jajohnson@somersetmd.us to let us know if you are interested or to obtain more information!
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