Grand Rapids Reporter

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is looking for community members interested in serving on its first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT is a volunteer program focused on community-based disaster preparedness, response, and recovery training. If a disaster occurs in Grand Rapids, these skills will allow these trained community members to be resilient and to help their families and neighbors until professional first responders are able to respond. When help does arrive, CERT members provide valuable information to responders and support their efforts, as directed at the disaster site. CERT members can assist in evacuation, handling donations, preparing food for first responders, answering phones, and many other tasks to assist professional responders when activated by the Office of Emergency Management.

Level 1 training begins next week with courses scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 22 & 24 and September 6. Volunteers only to register for one of these three prerequisite sessions for the CERT Training curriculum. This session describes CERT, outlines volunteer expectations, and provides education on personal preparedness. No volunteer commitment required. Register for Level 1 training HERE.

Instructors from OEM staff and partners, such as the Grand Rapids Fire Department and Grand Rapids Police Department will train CERT volunteers with skills in emergency preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, and more.

“This volunteer opportunity can truly make an impact on your community,” said Allison Farole, emergency management administrator. “We encourage you to become a valued member of GR's first city-focused disaster volunteer program and learn skills that can help you and your neighborhood if disaster strikes.”

Original source can be found here.