Orange certifies eight members to Community Emergency Response Team

Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. today announced the certification of 8 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members. The CERT program operates under the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
 
The Orange CERT Team includes: Council Member Linda Jones Bell, Beverly Harrison, Betty McLeod, Edward Banks, Sharon Durbin, Sherrill Lane, Sally Wright, and Nina Hamm
 
Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“The involvement of citizen volunteers in responding to emergencies makes all residents and visitors to Orange safer. I want to thank all those who took the time to receive the CERT training and to join our CERT team. I invite others who wish to volunteer to contact Stacey Murphy at stacey.murphy@ci.orange.nj.us”

Statement by Stacey Murphy, Orange Deputy Director of Emergency Management
“The CERT members studied and trained over a four week period (over 20 hours of class time).  The course was offered by Seton Hall University and the training was given by Thomas Giordano, Assistant Director of Emergency Management.  The course curriculum for certification includes Disaster Planning, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology and Terrorism and CERT.  A final exam and disaster simulation was required for certification.  
 
Photo attached.

Caption: Stacey Murphy, Orange Deputy Director of Emergency Management and members of the CERT Team