The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Douglas Needs Volunteers       Other EMS Info

Douglas-  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Douglas, under the direction of the Emergency Manager, Ernest Marks, is now taking registration for it's next round of Emergency Response Trainings. Twelve individuals have already taken the Emergency Training to operate as a local CERT for the town, but new individuals are encouraged to register for the next group of trainings to begin once a sufficient number of individuals register.

 

Training include Incident Command Response, First Aid and CPR, Search and Rescue, Fire Safety, Response to Terrorism, Disaster Mental Health, and Shelter Training as well as other information.  CERT teams comply with guidelines set by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Program (MEMA) and Homeland Security Council under the guidelines for Citizen Corps.  The current team is comprised of Computer Engineers, Businessmen, College Students, Nurses, Large and Small Animal Handlers, Legal and Health Administrative Assistants, Parents, School Personnel, and Mental Health Workers.

 

Trainings are held at the Douglas Fire Station Conference Room, Rt. 16, and are supervised by the Worcester County CERT Coordinator, Kathy Cederberg of Grafton.  The Douglas CERT team meets monthly for general meeting information and to do follow-up trainings.  Douglas CERT meets the first Sunday of each month at 6:30 pm.  Those interested in knowing more about CERT can attend one of these monthly meetings, or contact Ernest Marks 508-476-7022 or e_marks2000@yahoo.com or JoAnn Griffin 508-476-3677 scidata@earthlink.net for more information.

 

Animal Handling In Disasters-

Animal handling in disaster is also a component of the local Douglas CERT.  Members of the Central Mass Disaster Animal Response Team also comprise part of this and other local CERT teams.  Individuals interested in disaster preparedness for large and small animals may attend the regional local CMDART meetings held the first Tuesday of each month athe the First Congregational Church, Boston Road. Sutton at 7:00 pm. CMDART helps educate local groups and organize local facilities willing to house and service animals at the time of a disaster.

Written by JoAnn Griffin