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New CERT class seeks volunteers
Emergency training focus of seven-week session
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In an emergency, your first source of aid might just be your neighbors.
Not to worry, they are learning their skills from Marco Island’s finest, and you can too.
Marco Island’s own Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is seeking volunteers for a new class beginning next week. Training runs for seven weeks, and at the end, volunteers will participate in a drill that will mark their certification as emergency responders.
CERT coordinator Steve Fickling said anyone can volunteer as a member of the team. Though residents with experience in health care can contribute highly valued knowledge, anyone who signs up for the class will gain similarly valuable skills.
“Just by volunteering, we’ll be able to teach them some basic skills,” Fickling said. “If they’re wanting to help, we’ll find a spot for them that would suit their abilities.”
In the past, CERT volunteers have undergone training and drills that simulate real-life emergencies like tornadoes and pandemic flu outbreaks. In both cases, CERT volunteers would act as first-responders, assessing damage, providing preliminary care and communicating with rescue and healthcare professionals.
In the event of a widespread illness, such as a flu pandemic, CERT volunteers would be responsible for manning on-island clinics to distribute medication and administer vaccines.
CERT will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., at the Marco Island Fire Rescue station. After the first meeting, the group will meet every Wednesday night for two hours until the seven-week training is complete.
Fickling said anyone with questions about the course or the training can call Mary at the fire station, 389-5040.
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