Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in the Windham, Connecticut Region
The Windham Region CERT Program offers training and support for nine Connecticut towns: Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, Scotland, Willington, and Windham. Trained citizens reside in all nine towns, and four towns have formed official Community Emergency Response Teams: Chaplin, Hampton, Coventry, and Lebanon.
Chaplin/Hampton
Background
The region's first CERT began in Chaplin, and including members from several local towns. Their first coordinating meeting was in April, 2006. Several months later, Hampton joined forces with Chaplin in team planning and coordination, forming a joint team.
Membership
There are currently 13 members on the Chaplin/Hampton CERT, which is open to individuals who live or work in the larger Windham Region.
More Information
Coventry
The Coventry CERT will be called upon to assist the Town with running its emergency shelter in the event of need.
Background
The Coventry CERT formed with 5 members on July 5, 2006, and took the official Oath of Loyalty as an 11 member team on January 3, 2008.
Membership
Coventry CERT has 12 members. In addition to completing the Basic CERT class, members are required to hold current certificates in American Red Cross or American Heart Association Adult First Aid, CPR, and AED, American Red Cross Shelter Operations Training, and FEMA's NIMS IS-700, IS-100, and IS-200.
More Information
Interested parties may contact Team co-leader Eric Ohlund at OhlundEJ@mansfieldct.org or 860.742.7969; Team co-leader, Mike Meyer; or Coventry Emergency Management Director, Noel Waite, at nwaite@Coventryct.org.
Lebanon
Background
The Lebanon CERT was established in winter of 2007, and has 10 active members.
Article: "Community Emergency Response Team Training", Lebanon Town News, January 28, 2007.
Future Teams
Towns or individuals interested in forming teams in their communities may contact the Windham Region CERT Coordinator at cert@wincog.org or 860.456.2221.