CERT

The Town of Brookline recently completed training our third Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class this past March. The CERT program, part of the Federal emergency Management Agency's Citizen Corp Program, helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies occur, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. FEMA made this training available nationally in 1993. Since this time, CERT programs have been established in more than 340 communities in 45 states.

The Town of Brookline's CERT team now consists of 52 trained and dedicated volunteers who are willing to assist emergency response personnel in times of crisis.

CERT trainees received training in public safety and emergency response procedures, the Incident Command System (ICS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), basic fire suppression, CPR/AED and first aid, Red Cross Shelter Operations, avian flu awareness, and other skills that can be utilized to assist used to respond to a terrorist attack or natural disaster.

In addition, CERT members received the Metro-Boston Homeland Security Region's "P3" Homeland Security Community Awareness Training Program. This three-module course provides participants with 1) An Introduction to Terrorism, 2) Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Activity and 3) Personal Preparedness and Protection. Officer Casey Hatchett and Sgt Michael Raskin have both been certified to teach this course.

Contact: Sgt. Michael Raskin (617-730-2781), Officer Casey Hatchett (617-730-2734) and Detective Cheryl Molloy (617-730-27200).