Volunteers sought for CERT program

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NAUGATUCK-CERT-PicNAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is seeking volunteers to participate in the Naugatuck Community Emergency Response Team.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps to train people to be better prepared in the event of a major emergency or disaster. In addition, they will be better prepared to respond to situations during disasters and major events within the community to assist when professional responders are not immediately available to help in the event of a disaster. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members also help with non-emergency projects, such as parades and scheduled events to assist with and improve the safety of the community.

Training takes approximately 20 hours and classroom sessions include disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue and disaster psychology. Additional training will be available in American Red Cross training in emergency shelter operations, traffic control safety and animal emergency sheltering.

Anyone interested in volunteering can get an application by emailing to fdambowsky@naugatuck-ct.gov. Put “CERT Application” on the subject line. Applications can also be picked up at the Mayor’s Office in Town Hall. For more information, call Fran Dambowsky at (203) 723-1799 or (203) 721-4182.