Report of the Community Emergency Response Team
The Southwick Emergency Management Agency and Local Emergency Planning Committee sponsor the Community Emergency Response Team under HomeLand Security - Citizen Corps. The mission is to support a community emergency response team with trained volunteers to aid in shelter operations, emergency communications and provide assistance to public safety during major emergencies and large public events in Southwick.
Members:
Charles Dunlap, Coordinator | Charles Housner, Assist. Coordinator |
Joan Boissonnault | Eric Carroll |
John Cashman | Pauline Dunlap |
Mary Grasso | David Houle |
Peter F. Jakobowski, Jr. | John Long |
Robert Miller | Howard Pohlman |
Aaron Dewinkeleer |
CERT members were deployed during the April 5th Westfield Road Race, June1st State Hurricane Exercise, August 10th, 18th, and 27th Vermont Yankee nuclear training exercise at the Greenfield Community College evacuation reception center, the August 29th National Moto-Cross, and during Halloween Eve / Halloween Night Regional School District anti-vandalism details. Assistance to Emergency Management was given during four severe weather EOC activations and during two evening Powder Mill Middle School open house presentations. Members helped host LEPC emergency planning meetings held in the Emergency Operations Center and with EOC orientation tours, for the Firemen’s Carnival Fire Works and Parade. Traffic control and crowd safety was provided for two road closures due to trees and wires down. Members participated in a statewide-simulated Hurricane exercise and assisted with parking and pedestrian traffic for the Woodland Elementary School H1N1 Flu Clinic on Nov 23rd.
New members appointed as CERT volunteers this year are John Long, John Cashman, and Aaron Dewinkeleer. Members are trained in the Incident Command System, Haz-Mat awareness, severe weather reporting, National Incident Management System, radio communications, and CPR/First Aid and with additional training by the Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies and Home-Land Security. Volunteer and additional information is available at Emergency Services and by calling the Southwick Emergency Management Agency at 569-0308.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Dunlap, CERT Coordinator