West Hartford Seeks Emergency Management Volunteers

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The town is looking for community servants to help their neighbors should disaster strike.

The West Hartford Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is looking for new members to attend the next CERT Basic Training Class, which begins Saturday, Oct. 12.

Classes will be held on five Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. New this year is a Spanish CERT training class that will follow from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the same Saturdays.

CERT training consists of a basic standardized 20-hour course and additional training in shelter management, first aid, and disaster preparedness.

Classes include emergency first aid, disaster psychology, animal sheltering, fire safety, and terrorism.

To date, more than 269 residents have participated in this program.

The CERT program is part of the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management and directed by West Hartford Fire Department Chief Greg Priest.

Participants must be 18 or older and live, work, or attend school in West Hartford.

There are no minimum activity requirements. Team members volunteer according to their availability and interest.

The West Hartford CERT Team is a group of local volunteers trained to improve their preparedness levels and become able to respond to major emergencies and disasters.

The team provides essential services while awaiting professional emergency responders and increases the town's overall preparedness.

CERT members performed more than 2,000 volunteer hours by assisting at vaccination clinics, food distribution, parades, and special events

For more information: Visit the CERT webpage; contact CERT@westhartfordct.govl; or call 860-561-8310 (Robert Hilborn or Robert McCue).

Space is limited. To join the team or sign up for the class, fill out this application available at this link.