Have you ever dreamed of getting involved in emergency management? Now is your chance. Stafford is looking to add more members to its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a group organized under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For the first two months, team members commit one evening a week to training. Volunteers will learn fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.
When disaster or widespread power outages hit, team members gather at staging points to perform duties ranging from damage assessment to first aid until first responders can get through. Essentially, CERT members are the first line of defense when other public safety services are overwhelmed. They also help educate locals about emergency preparedness and receive a jump kit of emergency supplies.
Small towns like Stafford thrive on volunteerism, even as the number of people willing to pitch in dwindles. The need for an active CERT team is underlined in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the prolonged emergencies experienced by people impacted by its heavy rains. So, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, stop by the First Selectman's Office at 1 Main Street to pick up an application or contact staffordtownhall@staffordct.org.
All team members will undergo a background check and receive protective gear.