A dozen people came to the Allen County Courthouse Monday evening to learn about an effort to help others. Most indicated an interest to become volunteer members of a community emergency response team (CERT).
Team members “do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time,” said John Smith, who will assist Pam Beasley, county emergency management director, in organizing and training a team.
Smith has a history with CERT, having been trained and active in Arkansas. He noted that the concept unfolded in Los Angeles in 1985 and that volunteer teams were much involved in helping professional emergency responders after an earthquake struck the California metropolis in 1987.
“There are never enough people after a disaster,” he said. “Emergency responders always need volunteers.”
The central purpose for CERT members will be to organize and direct spontaneous volunteers and assist professionals. Events that would beg volunteer assistance in this area are tornadoes, floods and fires.
Also, Beasley noted, having two major highways — 54 and 169 — criss-cross at the east edge of Iola opens opportunity for another disaster.
“What is one of the things that travels those highways,” she asked.
Chemical transports, someone answered.
“Exactly,” she said.
“If there is a chemical accident we’d need all the help we could get.”
Smith took that scenario a step further, noting that a chemical tanker would be an ideal target for terrorists if a cell should decide that striking the heartland would make a statement.
TRAINING of CERT members will start by the end of September, Beasley said, and will entail attention to preparedness, fire suppression and medical operations associated with disasters, as well as light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and — to put volunteers on the cutting edge of training — disaster simulation exercises.
About 20 hours of training, plus another eight to 10 to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, will be required of volunteers. It will be spread over a two-month period with sessions to fit volunteers’ schedules.
Potential volunteers who didn’t attend last night’s meeting may make themselves available by contacting Beasley, 365-1477, or the Allen County sheriff’s office, 365-1400.
Beasley said she would like to expand CERT organization and training to local businesses, industries and schools, “but I want to get a county group started first.”
“Organization of a team is about common sense and having ourselves prepared to be effective as volunteers,” Smith said.
Each volunteer will be provided a backpack containing multiple tools, such as flashlight, helmet, vest and non-spark heavy aluminum multi-use device.
