Canton Considers Launching 'Community Emergency Response Team'

Town officials recently met with several residents interested in learning more about a potential “Community Emergency Response Team.”

Such teams are part of a national volunteer effort set up after Sept. 11, 2001 and include funding for community-run volunteer efforts.

Recently Adam Libros, the town’s fire marshal and director of emergency management and Claire Cote, senior and social services head, talked to the interested group and are seeking more potential volunteers.

In Canton, the effort largely stems from the devastating October 2011 storm and some suggestions that came from after-event study.

“We learned a lot of things during the October storm,” Libros said.

If a team is established in Canton, members would be trained to supplement other town agencies, he said, and could help with evacuations, shelter needs, basic first aid and extinguishing very small fires.

Members could also help at community events such as the upcoming Lobster Loop, he added.

The positions are volunteer so members would help as they are able and be given a special bag of supplies, he said. Assisting in other towns as able is also a possibility, he added. 

Libros said members would not be held liable if someone should follow a lawsuit for actions they participated in.

The team could use people with various skills, such as amateur radio operators, medical training, computer and record keeping. However, everyone is welcome and will contribute, he added.

Diane Terry of Collinsville, a retired nurse, attended the session as is excited about the possibility.

“I think it’s absolutely essential,” she said. “It an opportunity for people with multiple skill sets to come together in the community.”

The team would likely start next year if it does, officials said.

Anyone interested can contact Libros at (860) 693-7857 or alibros@townofcantonct.org or Cote at (860) 693-5811 or ccote@townofcantonct.org.