Politics & Government
Emergency? Be Prepared—New Classes Start in Fall
Newark's Community Emergency Response Team teaches basic safety for emergency situations
When an emergency arises, Tena Oakley is confident she will know what to do.
She credits her self-assurance to her participation with the Newark Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
More than 1,000 Newark residents have learned about emergency preparedness through the CERT program since its inception in 1997.
The classes provide volunteers with the knowledge and skills of the basic safety procedures to follow during an emergency.
And being prepared is key when it comes to the immediate response to an emergency, said Oakley, chair of the Newark CERT Board of Directors.
"I can't put out an entire house, but I know how to put out a fire in a trash can," Oakley said.
Newark CERT training is broken down into six three-hour classes focusing on emergency preparedness; fire safety and hazmat; disaster medicine;light search and rescue; terrorism; and a hands-on disaster simulation. The classes are free.
Newark CERT also helps parents learn how to teach their children about emergencies, said Wayne Slack, Sr., a team leader with the program.
"The plain and simple truth is, it will happen. We don't know when, so we might as well be prepared," Slack said.
About 20 people are attending this month's session of CERT classes, which ends May 19. A joint "graduation" ceremony with Union City CERT will complete the program on May 21 in Union City.
Another round of Newark CERT classes will be held in September. To learn more about CERT, visit the team's website here.