MAINE PREPARES

• Home and Family
• School
• Business
• Community
• Service Organizations
• What Can Happen Here?
• Stay Informed
• The Library
  • Searchable Index
  • News
    • Somerset County Seeking Volunteers for Community Emergency Response Teams
  • Tips
  • Publications
  • Photo Galleries
• What's Your PQ?
• Tell Us Your Story
• Show and Tell: How Do I Do That?
• Partners
• Credits
• MEMA Home

Somerset County Seeking Volunteers for Community Emergency Response Teams

 

March 31, 2008

 

SKOWHEGAN, MAINE -- As Maine and Somerset County prepare for yet another for the potential of severe weather, the County is providing an opportunity for volunteers who want to become part of local emergency response and recovery efforts.

Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Higgins said the County is reaching out to those interested in helping their communities in emergencies. “We have numerous trained Community Emergency Response Teams, or CERT Teams, across the county in several communities to aid county residents. We have active participants, but also have gaps as people move, or their schedules change, and they can no longer participate.”

Higgins said they are also interested in hearing from people who want to assist animals in emergencies and disasters, including running an emergency shelter for pets. "In an emergency, we want to be able to take care of people's pets. People often will not leave their homes, even if they are in danger, if they can't take their pets."

CERT training, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), focuses on local community preparedness. It consists of seven to nine sessions of about 3 hours each. Specialized training is then offered to learn how to manage a shelter, for example, or work with animals.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, but that is the only limitation, Director Higgins said.

Any county resident who is interested in volunteering to provide community service by joining a CERT may contact the Somerset County Emergency Management Agency at (207) 474-6788 to inquire of eligibility and background requirements. Those interested are also encouraged to drop in and speak to Amy Cunningham, Special Project Officer for the agency,

“Please take the partnering need seriously. I know that Somerset County people will help each other through this call for service,” Director Higgins concluded.

Once a class size has been determined from the interest, class dates and times will be set.

Somerset County CERT teams are just one of the programs of the Somerset County Citizen Corps Council, affiliated with the National Citizen Corps initiative.

Visit Somerset County EMA online at www.somersetcounty-me.org

For more preparedness ideas, visit Maine Prepares.

 

Contact:

Somerset County EMA
207-474-6788

 

 

Maine.gov | Maine Prepares Home | MEMA Home | Site Policies