The Barrow County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is preparing to host its next class near the end of August, which will be held over four Saturdays.
“We are trying a different set up this time to see if it fits people’s schedules better,” said CERT president Bob Richardson. “We are also hosting it at the fire station in Auburn, in the hopes of getting more citizens from the Auburn area.”
CERT was established to train citizens about ways they can help their families and neighbors in the event of a disaster.
During the course, students will learn about search and rescue, small fire control, medical triage and many other areas of disaster recovery. If a student wants additional training, they can also learn ways to help both Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services and the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
All classes are taught by current CERT members or personnel from the fire department or the sheriff’s office.
CERT recently participated in a disaster drill with the fire department and sheriff’s office. It was the first time they participated in this kind of drill side-by-side with the public safety personnel.
“Both of these departments have shown us a lot of support,” Richardson said. “In fact, both Assistant Chief Mark Melvin and Chief Deputy Murray Kogod have instructed classes in the CERT program. When the leadership shows its support for the CERT program in this way it means a lot to the success we have here in Barrow County.”
For information, or to apply for the upcoming CERT class, call 770-307-2987 or email barrow_cert@windstream.net.
