ORLEANS – The Towns of Brewster, Orleans, Chatham and Harwich have joined together to form a Regional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
The new program focuses on disaster preparedness and response and will create a team of community volunteers.
CERT’s help to educate citizens about disaster preparedness for hazards that impacts the community and trains them in basic disaster response skills.
CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly and effectively to emergency situations to supplement public safety personnel during man-made and natural disasters.
“This is an incredibly well-trained group of volunteers, they don’t go anywhere hazardous, they take over tasks that provide our emergency responders to do other things,” said Orleans Fire Chief Anthony Pike.
The team will also be used to provide logistical and management support during non-emergency events like parades, town meetings and other events in the towns on an as needed basis.
“I think it’s nothing but good for the town and the people that are managing it are incredibly well-trained to get these volunteers to where they have to be,” said Pike.
The seven-week program begins on October 8 at the Chatham Fire Station.
The team is open anyone 16 years of age or older.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
