Community Emergency Response Team
By Susan Bromley
Brandon Twp.- In the event of a terrorist act or natural disaster, the community has a new line of defense in addition to traditional professional emergency services.
The Community Emergency Response Team program was begun shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 as part of President George W. Bush’s Citizen Corps Initiative. It is one of several programs in the initiative, but the only one chosen for Brandon Township because it fell under the guidelines of the Brandon Fire Department the best.
‘It was designed to get citizens more involved for support,? said Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur during a presentation on the program at the Dec. 19 township board meeting. ‘We want this group to respond to disasters… It’s all about disaster preparedness.?
The program was started in the township earlier this year when community activist Lee Stewart and McArthur worked with Brandon High School student Zac Yingling on his community service project to achieve Eagle Scout status.
Yingling compiled a list of seniors and homebound citizens in the area. The list of approximately 100 names and addresses was applied to a map of the community at the fire department and will be used by the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in case of natural disaster. The team will be able to locate homebound citizens and seniors on the map and ensure they have food and are safe in extreme situations.
In October, the first CERT class, consisting of about 13 adult citizen volunteers, began training with the Brandon Fire Department. They will graduate next month with 20 hours of training in disaster preparedness; fire safety; disaster medical operations including assessment, treatment, hygiene, triage and the treatment of life-threatening injuries; light search and rescue; team organization; disaster psychology; and terrorism.
CERT is under the training purview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is funded in part by grants from the Department of Homeland Security.
Team members will be called upon to assist the fire department at the point of disaster, which could include tornadoes, snowstorms or power outages, says McArthur, particularly to help senior citizens who are alone or disabled.
‘The fire department would be overwhelmed and it would be difficult to check on shut-ins,? McArthur said. ‘The fire department wouldn’t be able to immediately check on these folks. With CERT we will have a fan-out calling system. CERT will become a cirtical part of the township and village emergency response plan.?
The program has been given formal support by both the township board and the Ortonville village council and has received a $5,900 federal grant for identification badges, vests, gloves, backpacks and other gear.
The next CERT class will begin training at the end of January. As the program grows, members will take over more responsibilities.
‘I like that we’re doing something for our own community and citizens,? says Stewart. ‘And it’s just a great bunch of people to work with.?
Citizens interested in joining CERT can apply at Brandon Fire Station #1, 53 South St.