New Hampshire Lakes Region CERT Helps Communities Prepare and Respond 

Release Date: August 14, 2007
Release Number: BRI-01-01

When the April nor'easter hit New Hampshire, a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) had just completed training. "Seven members of the team responded when we called on them to help manage traffic," said Laconia fire chief and emergency manager Ken Erickson. "They came out in the nasty weather and assisted our first responders by diverting traffic and giving directions as two major roads were closed."

CERT is a program that trains individuals on how to provide initial assistance during an emergency response situation until professional first responders arrive. The program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills. CERT members also support emergency preparedness projects within their communities.

Erickson praised the program as a way to help communities during times of emergency and to get people enthusiastic about being prepared for emergencies and disasters.

Samantha Brann is coordinating the CERT program through the Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health. The Partnership coordinates the regional response plan, working with fire, police and emergency officials throughout the region. She explained the primary goals of the CERT program are to help if there is an emergency in the region and provide a level of confidence that people can take care of themselves, their families and their neighbors in an emergency situation.

"Responding to the nor'easter helped the volunteers put their training to use right away," said Brann. "They meet monthly for additional training and help with other events like Motorcycle Week so they can use and practice the skills they've learned."

The nor'easter damage covered a large area in Laconia and throughout the Lakes Region. One of the new CERT members who got his feet wet, literally, as a new CERT member directing traffic felt it helped first responders to have more options and to reduce the stress on police officers during the storm.

"Having a trained civilian group sends a message to our first responders that people care and are willing to stand next to them," said David Stamps of Laconia. "It's a terrific program that's good for the community and good for first responders."

As a way to take part in National Preparedness Month, find out more about the CERT program in your area. If there is not a CERT program in your region, start one. Contact your State Citizen Corps point of contact to learn more about grant possibilities to fund CERT training.

On the Web: http://www.citizencorps.gov

Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 15:42:36