CERT Partners with Red Cross to Provide Disaster Relief

MADISON, NJ - May 22, 2007 - Long Hill Township CERT members joined volunteers from the Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the American Red Cross in providing disaster relief to those affected by the flooding caused by the devastating April 15 nor’easter.

CERT is the Community Emergency Response Team, which trains volunteers in basic disaster-response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue and disaster medical operations so that they may assist in their neighborhood or workplace until professional responders arrive. Members also support disaster response agencies during an emergency.

Seventeen CERT volunteers aided the Metropolitan New Jersey Chapter in Fairfield, an area hard hit by flooding. Team members loaded trucks and rode along on Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) delivering meals, snacks, water and clean-up kits to residents of Essex and Passaic counties.

“Disaster instructors from the Colonial Crossroads chapter trained 105 CERT leaders to be shelter managers in their towns,” stated Dan Iradi, disaster director for the chapter, which has offices in Summit and Madison. “Other CERT members are certified in operational training for shelters. Everyone in CERT will be dual Red Cross and CERT volunteers, prepared to respond for their own towns and for the Red Cross.”

For Barb Chestnut of Gillette, an enthusiastic volunteer who assisted at the Metro chapter for almost two weeks, it was an educational experience. “Most people think they know what the Red Cross does,” she stated, “but they have no idea of the level of detail and professionalism involved, or of the extent of services the Red Cross provides, like client casework, damage assessment or helping people replace medication they have lost in a disaster.”

Ms Chestnut was also impressed by the spirit of teamwork she saw. “There are no egos among the Red Cross workers – everyone takes on what needs to be done and just does it. I have new respect for the American Red Cross.”