Somerset Co. Volunteers Complete Training To Support First Responders

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County’s Office of Emergency Management graduated 21 local residents from their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training program.

These volunteers spent 26 hours over the month of October learning how to support their community and first-responders when disasters strike through a coordinated, team effort at the municipal or county level.

"We’ve seen over the last decade and more how important CERT teams are to disaster response in Somerset County," said Somerset County Deputy Director Doug Singleterry, liaison to the Office of Emergency Management. "The people of Somerset County owe a debt to these volunteers who have committed through training and joining their local and County CERT team to be there when needed for their family, neighbors, and community."

October’s CERT class included residents of Somerset, Hillsborough, Warren, Branchburg, Franklin, Franklin Park, Raritan, Bridgewater, Flemington and Gladstone.

Following their month of training in Disaster Preparedness, CERT Organization, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism, Fire Safety, Medical Operations, Sheltering Operations, and Stop the Bleed each participant must complete a written exam and practical exercise to graduate. The CERT members conducted cribbing exercises during their final practical exercise along with a search and rescue simulation.

Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers, and other community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to provide assistance.

Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities, including checking in on neighbors, distribution of information to the public, supporting emergency operations centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds. The deployment of CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus efforts on more complex, essential, and often life-saving tasks. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting, and participating in emergency preparedness events, activities, and projects.