Do you want to help your community? Free CERT training is available

MONROE, CT – There is still time to sign up for free training to become a member of the Monroe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), giving you the opportunity to help emergency responders and your neighbors during natural disasters and other situations.

The 24-hour training program, which also includes course materials, is available to people ages 18 and older. The training courses take place on two Friday evenings and two Saturdays in October and November. Most sessions are held at the Monroe Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road.

CERT Coordinator David York said CERT has been instrumental in providing vaccination clinics to the community, assisting with all activities for the recent Bicentennial celebration, and assisting police officers with traffic control for Memorial Day parades and the CT United Ride.

During a disaster, CERT members provide assistance to first responders, including police, firefighters and Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Services personnel, as well as shelter staff, residents and neighbors.

Seven local Monroe CERT members, all certified as CERT instructors by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will lead the sessions with local police, fire and EMS instructors.

To take part in the CERT, a minimum of 20 hours of training is required. Volunteers learn emergency skills including disaster psychology, first aid, CPR, AED, fire prevention, traffic control, hazmat awareness, emergency shelter, light search and rescue, disaster scenarios and counterterrorism.

For further information please email David York [email protected] or call him at 203-650-8474. The number of participants is limited to 25 people, so interested parties should register as soon as possible.

The schedule begins with an orientation at the Monroe Senior Center on Thursday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. The training courses take place on Friday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 25th and 26th and on November 8th and 9th. The graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 21st.

In addition to the Senior Center, some classes are held at Monroe Fire Station #1. Further locations will be announced. The training is sponsored by Monroe Emergency Management and the Monroe Police Department.