Emergency Volunteers Sought In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The town is again looking for volunteers to be community leaders should disaster strike.

The West Hartford Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is looking for new members to attend the next CERT Basic Training Class scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Classes will be held on six Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and two Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. until around noon at the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave..

CERT training consists of a basic standardized 20-hour course followed by additional training in shelter management, first aid, and disaster preparedness.

Classes include emergency first aid, disaster psychology, animal sheltering, fire safety, and terrorism among others.

To date, more than 240 residents have participated in this program.

CERT members will also take an online FEMA training course.

The team is trained to assist during town-wide emergencies and is considered an integral part of the Town’s Office of Emergency Management which is under the direction of West Hartford Fire Chief Greg Priest.

Team members volunteer as their availability and interest dictate.

There is no minimum activity requirement and training is completely free. The team meets and trains monthly at the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave.

Students completing the class receive a CERT backpack with emergency equipment, a shirt, hat, vest, and a certificate of completion from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.