CERT in Action!
CERTs Support Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR
The 2008 U.S.A. Olympic Trials were held this year in Eugene, Oregon from June 27th through July 6th. The City of Eugene activated the Eugene CERT and 64 volunteers from Eugene and Springfield responded to the call. CERT members initially provided support to the American Red Cross and the Eugene Fire Department, but due to shortages from other volunteer groups and the huge crowd surges, the CERT's duties were greatly expanded.
CERT volunteers helped to check bags, performed wanding, helped with crowd control, and assisted with traffic control. CERT volunteers also played a large part in general public safety: they provided directions, helped lost individuals, and assisted those with special needs. They were radio-dispatched with paramedics into the crowds whenever there was a medical need. On days when the temperatures soared to over 95 degrees, CERT volunteers ran a well-organized brigade of wheelchairs, caring for attendees who suffered from heat exhaustion. CERT became the "go-to" group wherever there was a shortage of personnel in any support area. They helped to sweep buses for worrisome parcels, monitored passengers as they boarded or deboarded shuttles, and handed out 600 bikes at the Bike Valet Park at the end of the daily events.
As attendance at the Olympic Trials swelled to more than 25,000 people, CERT members volunteered for shifts up to 10 hours long and proved to be very dependable. The CERT volunteers at the Olympic Trials were incredibly dedicated and highly motivated, and played an important role in the event.
For more information, please contact Geoff Simmons, GSimmons@peacehealth.org.
Photos provided courtesy of Emerald Photographic Society.