Lakewood C.E.R.T., New Jersey’s largest C.E.R.T. Team, welcomed the new C.E.R.T. Graduates at an event last night marking the conclusion of a month-long training cycle for new members.  

The C.E.R.T. Graduation held in the Lakewood Municipal Courtroom was graced by representatives of the state OEM, NJ State Police, Ocean County Sheriff Mastronardy, Lakewood Township officials including OEM liaison Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, Committeemen Delia and Akerman, as well as Lakewood OEM Coordinator Chief Lawson.

C.E.R.T. which stands for Community Emergency Response Team is a nationally recognized program under FEMA that forms groups of volunteers who are trained to assist emergency responders in the event of a natural or man-made crisis such as a hurricane or a terrorist attack.  Lakewood C.E.R.T. opens a new training cycle every year in January and typically welcomes 30 new recruits every year.

Prior to the Graduation Event, the State Police broke up the Team into groups to conduct a mass casualty drill, testing and reinforcing the members’ newly acquired response skills.  The drill, conducted indoors due to the inclement weather, took over the first floor of the Township Building.  Lt. Bryan Trexler of NJSP mentioned his high regard for this group “they were attentive and focused as we have come to expect from Lakewood C.E.R.T. Teams”.

Chief Lawson presented all graduates with C.E.R.T. ids and various C.E.R.T. related materials.  He congratulated them and welcomed them to Lakewood’s ever-growing army of volunteers, calling them “force multipliers” and acknowledging the sacrifices made by the group to undergo this rigorous and time consuming training.

For more information about Lakewood C.E.R.T. visit www.lakewoodcert.com