| fgoodwin 2005-10-06, 10:46 pm |
| Union to unveil disaster prep training program
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Free sessions to cover life-saving skills, emergency tips, terrorism
BY SCOTT ROCKEFELLER
Press & Sun-Bulletin
UNION -- This month, emergency officials will give the public its first
glimpse of a program designed to empower people to react in emergency
situations before first responders arrive.
Officials from the Union Volunteer Emergency Squad, the Endicott
Auxiliary Police and West Endicott Fire Co. have teamed to offer the
Union Community Emergency Response Team or (CERT) Training Program. The
seven-week program, which will begin Oct. 20, is free and offers an
in-depth look at everything from basic lifesaving skills to disaster
preparedness to terrorism.
"Any kind of emergency usually causes people to be afraid," said
Program Manager Dick Dodge. "But we want to provide the education,
training and knowledge for people, so they'll know how to react in a
disaster or emergency situation."
Dodge, president of the Endicott Auxiliary Police, said response to the
idea has been promising so far. The first class, which will run on
seven Thursdays this fall before a final disaster simulation on Dec.
10, has already been filled.
However, Dodge said officials are trying to get a waiting list going
for CERT training in 2006. Dodge said the group would like to hold a
pair of classes each year with about 25 people in each class.
UVES Executive Director Glenn Roberts is not only working on the
administrative end of the project, but about five of his emergency
employees will serve as course instructors. Roberts said disaster
preparedness has become crucial, particularly with the devastation from
events such as Hurricane Katrina, as well as terrorist attacks.
"We sit here in Binghamton and think we're immune to all of these
things," Roberts said. "This is a community awareness that would
benefit everybody and anybody."
Dodge said the training will address some of the simple things that
people may not normally equate with disaster preparedness, such as
knowing how to turn off gas in a house or turning to a hot water tank
when you need drinking water. The class also will address topics such
as light search and rescue, shelter management and fire safety.
Callie Kavleski, health and safety coordinator for the Union-Endicott
Central School District, said two or three district employees would
attend the first meeting to evaluate the program. Kavleski said a
best-case scenario would be to have the district be able to use aspects
of the CERT training to improve its own emergency management plan,
particularly training for teachers and other staff.
"It has the potential to benefit the whole community," she said. "We're
going to go in and take a look at it."
Dodge estimated materials would cost between $1,000 and $1,500 to hold
two classes in a year. CERT officials are currently working with local
governments to find funding and have already met with Union Supervisor
John Bernardo.
Bernardo said he planned another meeting with program officials as well
as Councilman Louis V. Caforio, a former Endwell fire chief. Bernardo
said it was too early to predict if the town would support the program.
"It is a neat program though, any time you have voluntary groups
getting together to help the community," Bernardo said. "And the
approach is a good one."
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