Paulding County Emergency Management Agency Recruiting Volunteers

DALLAS, GA -- The Paulding County Emergency Management Agency, or EMA, is currently recruiting volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, with 15 spots to fill. CERT volunteers work together in teams, oftentimes to assist with missing persons searches, shelter operations, SkyWarn storm spotter participation, conducting damage assessments following significant weather events, and providing logistical support with planned community events such as fireworks displays and parades. The CERT Program is managed by the EMA which provides training and equipment to active members.

A CERT Basic Training Course will be offered in May for new members that will include training in the following areas:

o Disaster Preparedness
o Fire Safety and Utility Controls
o Disaster Medical Operations
o Light Search and Rescue Operations
o CERT Organization
o Disaster Psychology
o Terrorism – Suspicious Activity Reporting

The course is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. starting May 7 with the last day of class scheduled for Thursday, May 30.

Tuesday, May 28 is scheduled as an off day for course participants so no meeting will be held that evening.

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering with the CERT Program may contact EMA Coordinator Eve Cogsdell at 678-383-3420 or email ecogsdell@paulding.gov with any questions and to be placed on the training list.

Applications may be picked up at the Fire Administration Office located at 165 North Johnston
Street, Dallas, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, located at 1389 Industrial Blvd. North, Dallas, Georgia Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that the EOC is closed to the public between noon and 1 p.m.

Paulding County EMA began utilizing volunteer members with the CERT Program in 2016 and has found the program to be a very successful enhancement to the Preparedness, Response and Recovery goals of the Agency. FEMA and GEMA provide Homeland Security Grant funding assistance for the establishment and sustainment of the program.

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to being ready for emergency situations. CERT emphasizes sound decision-making, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.