Program Overview: CERT in the Windham Region
What is CERT?
There is a very good chance that your neighborhood will be on its own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. After a catastrophic disaster, citizens will volunteer to help. Without proper training, these spontaneous volunteers can expose themselves to potential injury and even death.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides special training that enhances the ability of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation by preparing citizens to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of an emergency. Experience has shown that basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills improves the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance arrives.
Citizens in the Windham Region who complete the Basic CERT Training return to their communities better prepared individuals. Graduates often remain active in the program by assisting with CERT classes or joining a local team.
Local CERT History
The region's first basic CERT class was held in January of 2005, with the primary goal of public education. That class graduated thirteen students. As of January, 2008, the region has hosted eight basic CERT classes and trained approximately 100 local citizens.
In April of 2006, the region's first official team formed in Chaplin, CT. Later that year, Hampton joined with Chaplin to create the Chaplin-Hampton CERT. In July, 2006, the Coventry CERT formed with five members. In winter of 2007, the Lebanon CERT formed with ten members.
While CERT members are trained in a variety of areas, the focus of advanced training in the region has been on shelter operations.
Local Citizen Corps Council
The national Citizen Corps Council encourages citizens to "embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety" through several of its programs, including CERT.
In 2004, Windham Region Council of Governments (WINCOG) formed a local Citizen Corps Council as part of a national and statewide effort designed to help individuals and neighborhoods prepare for and respond to catastrophic disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other major emergencies. The Local Council covers nine Connecticut towns: Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, Scotland, Willington, Windham. Local Citizen Corps Council issues and responsibilities currently fall under the Local Emergency Management group, which meets monthly at the WINCOG offices at 700 Main Street in Willimantic. This group has designated a WINCOG staff member as the regional representative on the State of Connecticut's Citizen Corps Advisory Council.
The local CERT program is administered by WINCOG staff. Inquiries about the Windham Region CERT program and other local Citizen Corps programs may be directed to cert@wincog.org or 860-456-2221.