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CERT Team on the Front Lines During Devastating Flood

Two years ago when the Lawrence Community Emergency Response Team was established, none of the founders could have imagined a week like May 14th to May 22nd of 2006.

CERT volunteers have been training in home preparedness, first aid, light search and rescue, hazardous material awareness, and assisting the fire and police departments in major incidences.

Slowly, the group has been building in size, training and community involvement. Over the two years, CERT has been building a relationship with the Merrimack Valley Red Cross.The May 14th rainfall and subsequent flooding put CERT members into action. CERT’s first official activation came at 3:25 p.m. on May 14th.

CERT was requested by Chief Takvorian to pick up cots at the Methuen Central Fire Station and bring the cots to the Red Cross Emergency Shelter at the Methuen High Field House.

In 40 minutes there were seven CERT team members ready to go. Within two hours from the initial call, all the cots where unloaded and brought into the emergency shelter.

A second call for assistance came from the Merrimack Valley Red Cross. The Red Cross decided, due to the expected amount of displaced residents, to open three regional shelters, one each in Lowell, Methuen, and Salem, N.H. This stretched their resources considerably. The Red Cross requested for CERT to help man the Methuen Emergency Shelter.

CERT members accrued over 400 hours of service time in the shelter. Many worked from 30 to 50 hours, while some still had to work their regular jobs.

Having no previous shelter training, the CERT members worked hard to learn from the Red Cross volunteers all they could, as quickly as they could. The experience was exhausting for the members, but one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.

The Merrimack Valley Red Cross volunteers, as well as national Red Cross volunteers, have applauded Lawrence’s CERT for a job well done and making a big difference at a very stressful time.

One of the Red Cross volunteers took information about Lawrence’s CERT to bring to his local fire chief. He hopes to start up a CERT organization in his hometown in Western Mass. Of course, Lawrence CERT will be there to give him any information or help he may need.

Even the clients remember the men and women in green shirts and CERT logo. A few clients requested applications for CERT so that next time there is a disaster they will be able to help as well.

Upon returning Tuesday night for a farewell dinner at the shelter, Joseph Chiarenza was welcomed by many of the children whom he had helped take toys out of the packages for them to play with.

CERT members met many of the Methuen and Lawrence city officials and councilors over the weeks. They where also introduced to senators and Joseph Chiarenza even had his photograph taken with Governor Mitt Romney.

Lawrence CERT will be running a first aid tent and roaming patrols at the upcoming Semana Hispana Festival on June 16th to the 18th, as well as a first aid tent at the Civil War Memorial Weekend, September 23rd and 24th.

Being a volunteer organization with funding by donations, Lawrence CERT will be having an appreciation dinner on September 9th at the Lawrence Knights of Columbus to thank organizations and individuals who have donated to CERT and to raise money for training, and stocking of an emergency vehicle it received from Patriot Ambulance. Tickets will be $30.

If you wish to learn more about how to prepare your home, how to become a CERT, or have CERT do a CPR/AED demo for your organization, you can contact the Lawrence Community Emergency Response Team at 978-618-4744 or e-mail us at cert_law_mass@msn.com. CERT is also looking for more bilingual speaking people to join. The CERT website is www.lawrencecert.org.

The site  is still under construction and CERT is looking for volunteers to help.

 

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The June, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
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