FAIRFIELD, Conn. When Fairfield is hit with an emergency, as in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last summer, a group of citizens gets to work to make sure the rest of the town is safe. If youd like to be one of those Fairfielders, youll get your chance soon. The Community Emergency Response Team will hold classes for potential new members starting in March.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a division of the Citizens Corps, which volunteers to help during emergencies. The team's most notable job is running disaster shelters when residents are forced from their homes. The most recent example was during Hurricane Irene, when CERT volunteers hosted dozens of evacuees at the towns shelter at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.
The training program will run Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning March 2. Participants will be trained in Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology and Terrorism Prevention. The course is free, and those who take the course are not required to join CERT.
Program enrollees must be 18 or older, and space is limited. To register or for more information, contact CERT Coordinator Norma Peterson at citizencorps@optonline.net or telephone 203-255-3554. Registration forms are also available at Fire Station 1, 140 Reef Road, Fairfield.
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