Volunteers from EVCNB (Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay) in Manzanita and the Rockaway Fire Department will present a joint CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training in a series, starting January 30th, with sessions into February. The first session is on January 30, from 6 to 8 pm. Following sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings: February 6, 13, 20, and 27 also from 6 to 8 pm at Rockaway Beach Fire Department, 270 S Anchor St, Rockaway Beach.
Residents of Rockaway and surrounding areas who are interested in becoming CERT volunteers are invited to attend this event. Contact Geoff Grace at ggrace@corb.us if you wish to participate. This is the first joint training program between the two organizations. Geoff Grace, Rockaway Fire Department employee and trained CERT, is leading this program. Trained CERT volunteers from EVCNB will be on hand to participate. EVCNB has a longer-standing and more experienced CERT program and they will bring their skills to help teach program attendees.
“This training program gives us an additional group of volunteers with expanded skill levels to call upon in case of a large-scale emergency or disaster.” said Grace. Jo Cooper, an experienced CERT trainer and volunteer with EVCNB, added, “The more volunteers in the county who are trained CERT members, the better we can protect and prepare all the towns and villages on the North Coast.”
Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to back-up and help professional responders assist community members during emergencies. Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities, check in on neighbors, distribute information to the public, support emergency operations centers, render basic medical treatment, and help manage traffic and crowds. When CERT volunteers perform these activities, professional responders are freed up to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting, and participating in emergency preparedness
events, activities, and projects.
The Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay (EVCNB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building personal, community and regional resilience, developing programs to ensure readiness, and promoting a culture of emergency preparedness. Learn how to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for emergencies by visiting www.evcnb.org. While there you can sign up to be a volunteer and to receive our newsletter. You can also make inquiries at info@evcnb.org or call (503) 389-5820.
