20 graduate from CERT program

05/22/2006

Neal McNamara , Register Correspondent

ORANGE — Jim Brandt of Woodbridge is a retired New Haven deputy fire chief, but he is not ready to stop serving the public.

So he joined the first class of the town’s Community Emergency Response Team, which trained members in basic emergency preparedness skills such as first aid, fire suppression, setting up an emergency shelter, and self- sufficiency.

Brandt said he signed up for the program to put his former skills to use and so that he could help in a useful manner during an emergency.

"I felt that my year of service shouldn’t be put aside," said Brandt. "It prepares the layman, and makes them aware of how to work in a team."

Fire Marshal Tim Smith guided the training and 20 CERT members recently graduated after undergoing training that even dealt with working during a local large-scale emergency.

"You need to be prepared 72 hours before a major disaster," said Smith. "CERT teaches them these skills to go and take care of their community."

The voluntary program was funded by a $1,300 state grant from the Department of Homeland Security and is, as Smith explained, all too necessary in the wake of such disasters as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and last year’s Hurricane Katrina.

Smith said that the CERT program was born out of earthquake disasters in California, where citizens wanted to help, but without training, would often injure themselves.

Smith said that CERT graduates fill holes that trained emergency personnel cannot cover during large emergencies.

"The police departments, fire departments and emergency medical technicians are overwhelmed (during a disaster)," said Smith.

"The CERT teams provide critical support roles."

Brandt is the team leader of the Orange CERT graduates, and says that they will hold monthly meetings to keep their skills sharp.

This is the first CERT team for Orange, although other communities such as East Haven and Hamden also have the teams, said Smith.

Residents from towns outside Orange also attended and graduated from the program here because, as Smith said, "disasters don’t recognize town borders."

The town is planning to hold another CERT program, with participants expected to graduate in the fall.

The training is broken into 11 sessions that total about 26 hours.

All CERT training occurred at the Orange fire house on Boston Post Road.

"Part of this program calls for (graduates) to help their family, help their neighbors and then help the entire community," said Brandt.

"The people of Orange should be proud that they have people to step forward during an emergency."