A training opportunity
CREDIT: Peter O'Connor
PETER O’CONNOR
Contributing Columnist
opinion@lbknews.com
I was reading in the Anna Maria Island Sun (July 21, 2010) a story about CERT. That got me remembering.
CERT—Community Emergency Response Team—is a self-help concept used to aid in emergency response. The concept is designed to work at any level, and teams complement each other. Our neighbors on Anna Maria Island were training under the guidance of Manatee County CERT Coordinator Dick Haynes.
Back long ago in 2004, Pat and I completed the similar training and certification offered then by Sarasota County Emergency Management. We, and a hardy group of Longboaters, completed the somewhat rigorous, but fun, training program led by then Fire Marshal Carrol Moneyhan.
We learned a lot over a period of weeks at the north fire station and even outside. Like our Anna Maria friends, we covered first aid, disaster terminology, critical stress, team organization, terrorism (we were more innocent even then), small fire suppression, and search and rescue. We passed our final exam and became certified. We still have our backpacks, equipment, CERT ID badges and green hardhats. Sarasota County took all of this quite seriously.
The take-away lesson I recall was that oft-repeated phrase, “We’re from CERT, and we’re here to help you.” That was the mantra; I suppose it still is.
Fortunately there was no occasion in these few intervening years for us CERT-badged volunteers to help anyone. We kept those backpacks in our cars at the ready. I secretly suspected that at least Longboat Key didn’t really want anyone ‘helping.’ The then fire marshal did, and he enthusiastically pushed the program.
I haven’t heard any mention of CERT for a while. I’m glad to see some new interest. Perhaps our newer, smarter, more activist commissioners (and staff) should consider adding this program to the town’s training regimen. One or two might even participate. Couldn’t hurt!
‘I’m still from CERT, and I’m still here to help you.’
