If trained, you might be able to assist if a disaster occurs
“This is really about saving lives.”Those words from Sheila Davis, area coordinator for the Coweta Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), clearly sum up the importance of CERT’s efforts to better prepare our community during times of emergencies and potential disasters.
Davis spoke with reporter Alex McRae Saturday as a group of CERT volunteers trained at the Coweta Public Safety Training Center on Greison Trail. This was the second group of CERT volunteers to undergo training.
After training, these volunteers were qualified to supplement the work of public safety responders and other emergency crews during emergencies and disasters.
These volunteers can assist law officers, firefighters and other emergency responders and free up the professionals to concentrate on their specialized skills during disasters.
On Saturday, volunteers were exposed to a mock tornado exercise and received training in what they might be able to do if a tornado hits our community.
An earlier class of volunteers assisted victims of a simulated methamphetamine lab explosion.
The next CERT volunteer training class will be held in the spring, and anyone interested in becoming a CERT volunteer is encouraged to email newnancowetacert@gmail.com .
We strongly encourage Cowetans to get involved with CERT.
We never know when a disaster might hit our community. A strong CERT team can go a long way in ensuring that our community is prepared if a disaster comes our way.
