A 6-week long, thorough and comprehensive C.E.R.T. training course is set to begin in Lakewood on January 4.

C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) courses are designed to educate local residents about many aspects of disaster preparedness for numerous situations that may occur. The course trains individuals in basic disaster and emergency response skills in classroom and live exercise settings. C.ER.T. volunteers are taught how they can assist and work together with local First Responder Units in the community to assist them in their work.

Amongst the many topics that will be covered and taught by certified by C.E.R.T. teachers in the course are: Assisting in evacuations of homes and buildings during emergencies, helping with shelter operations for displaced persons, initial damage assessment, assisting in searches for missing persons, assisting in HAZMAT scene situations, staffing First Aid stations for large events, public support at community events, storm spotting and preparation, and much more useful and potentially lifesaving ways anyone can help First Responders in all types of situations that may occur.

Chief Rob Lawson described the course as being all about, “very practical things that citizens can help the Police Department and other First Response teams with. When we have large-scale emergencies, our resources are overwhelmed. Citizens can be of assistance and help the emergency response agencies, and that’s a very good thing for the town. Graduates of the course will receive C.E.R.T. certification and will be able to join C.E.R.T. teams. The program is open to anyone interested in being part of a C.E.R.T. team, and I encourage people to consider attending the courses.”

Anyone interested in joining the training course can email Chief Lawson at rlawson@lakewoodpolicenj.com

Interested parties are urged to contact the chief as soon as possible, as the start date of the course is fast approaching. Space in the course is limited, and applicants will be treated on a first-come first-serve basis. Those who miss the space limit for this year’s course, can still be put on the waiting list to be able to be part of next year’s course.

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