Emergency Aid Group Offers Training

For anyone wondering how to help out in a neighbor or fellow Jefferson resident during or after an emergency, township officials may have the answer.

The Jefferson Township Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) are offering free CERT training to township residents Friday – Sunday Feb. 17-19.

CERT coordinator Linda Hamer noted that CERT is not for first responders, like police, ambulance or firefighters. Instead, she said, it provides a basic understanding of emergency preparedness and how the training can encourage "neighbor helping neighbor.” The focus of CERT is learning what to do until help arrives.

The training will focus on individual and family emergency preparedness. The topics to be covered include fire suppression, medical operations, incident command, terrorism and natural disasters.

There will be hand-on training along with classroom training of up to 18 hours.

No prior training or experience of any kind is required. This class offers an opportunity to enhance your resume with volunteer hours as well as new skills, especially for those in the workforce or applying to colleges or scholarships.

Hamer also said that no monthly commitment required once training is completed; however continuing education classes are offered locally and regionally throughout the year. Participation is encouraged as often as possible to keep skills up-to-date, and to offer our community the benefits of a CERT Team.

The training is open to adults 18 and over, and teens ages 13-17 with parent permission. Registration is required and no walk-ins will not be accepted as space is limited.

The training will be held at the Health Center on Minnisink Rd. on Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Feb. 18 and19 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Please register by February 1st.

Contact Hamer at JeffTwpCERT@yahoo.com or (973) 208-3500 (cell) for registration materials and training details, or Ed Mangold, Deputy OEM Coordinator EMangold@jeffersontownship.net.

Check out Jefferson CERT on Facebook at Jeff Twp CERT or at their website: http://jefftwpcert.wordpress.com

For more information on the CERT program visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/