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Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner has sworn in eight new members of the Community Emergency Response Team at the Fairfield Regional Fire Training Center. They all completed the last leg of a five-course, 20-hour training program. These programs are held once every Saturday and are taught by various instructors.
According to a Fairfield Fire Department press release, CERT is a FEMA program designed to train citizens on how to properly act during a disaster in which first responders are unable to reach those affected.
“A local CERT may be activated for disasters and major planned events after approval by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security,” the press release said.
This FEMA-developed training prepares team members to help themselves and their community in the event of a major emergency or disaster. This dedicated group can give critical support to first responders and the community under the direction of Fairfield Emergency Management. In addition, team members help to educate the public about citizen emergency preparedness so the community will be more resilient in the wake of a disaster.
CERT in Fairfield began in 2007 and since then has been involved in sheltering pets and people, directing traffic and public education, among other things.
In 2012, Fairfield CERT managed and staffed the evacuation shelter at Fairfield Ludlowe High School during Hurricane Sandy and assisted in crowd management and traffic control for the annual Half-Marathon race.
To learn more about CERT and how you can join, click here.
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