Sparta OKs Volunteer Emergency Team

In response to the severe weather experienced state-wide over the past few years, the Sparta Township Council hasapproved the creation of a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a group of trained volunteers  who augment the regular emergency response.

Sparta is the second Sussex County town with a CERT squad, said Councilwoman Christine Quinn, who championed the drive for such a team as liaison to the township‘s crisis management committee.

Hopatcong has the county’s first CERT team, Quinn said, and borough officials advised Sparta on the creation of its own service.

“This is exciting stuff,” Quinn said.

The creation of the CERT team opens the door to federal funding for emergency equipment, she said. Training for the team members will be done through the Sussex County Office of Emergency Management.

The crisis management team will be the first group to be trained, Quinn said. CERT members must be at least 18.

The nationwide CERT program was created following Sept. 11, 2001 when the need for trained community members to respond to emergencies was  evident.

Trained CERT members can assist first responders, provide aid to victims, organize disaster centers and shelters and assist with other non-emergency needs.

CERTs have  been used to search for lost or kidnapped children; staff emergency operations centers; provide security, driving, information, assist disabled visitors and provide minor first aid; and assist the Red Cross and other organizations on mass care incidents.

CERT training consists of 20 hours of instruction over eight weeks in the following areas: Disaster preparedness; disaster fire  suppression; two sessions on disaster medical operations; light search and rescue operations; disaster psychology and team organization; terrorism; and a disaster simulation realistic to the Sparta community.

The training teaches  participants about hazards that affect the home, the steps necessary to prepare themselves for a disaster, how to identity potential fire hazards in homes and workplaces, basic team fire suppression and first aid, search and rescue techniques and debris removal and victim extraction.

Tell us: Will you join the CERT team?