Seven people were recognized Sunday afternoon for having completed 40 hours of training and becoming certified as members of Allen County’s first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
They are John Smith, the team leader, Harvey Sanders, Eugene Myrick and Joseph Myrick, all of Iola, Kirby Stokes and Peggy Stewart, rural LaHarpe, and Brenda Clark, Humboldt.
Their training gives the county “extra hands and legs whenever we have to cope with an emergency,” said Pam Beasley, county Emergency Management Services director.
“I’m grateful to Pam for organizing the team and to you (the volunteers) for stepping forward,” said Sheriff Tom Williams. “Citizens have always stepped up to help with an emergency, and having trained volunteers elevates response to a higher level.
“Citizen volunteers make us more effective when we have to respond and I hope we will have more get involved in the CERT training,” he added. “I’d like to have a team in every business, school, city and township in the county.”
Beasley lauded Smith for his enthusiasm and for accepting the CERT coordinator’s role.
“It takes this kind of devotion to help the community,” she said.
Joseph Myrick, an Iola High student and son of Eugene Myrick, was individually recognized for becoming certified as an adult. A teen program is available and Smith encouraged him to solicit others of his age to get involved.
“That’s our next project, to get a teen group started,” Beasley said.
Allen Countians who would like to get involved in the next set of CERT training sessions may contact Beasley at the Allen County Emergency Response Center, 365-1477 or [email protected].
Citizens prepared to help out
