Sheriff’s Office now coordinating a Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, of volunteers to supplement first-responders in certain emergencies; Residents can call (504) 278-7628 to apply

Posted: May 6th, 2014 | Filed under: Announcements, News Releases
Taking part in the recent CERT training were St. Bernard residents, from left in front; Guilliana Williams, Maurya Rodriques and Magdelen Rodriques. Middle row, from left, are Bill Woodward, Sheriff’s Capt. Charles Borchers, Scott Bowles, Albert Loar, Melissa Wickboltd, Linda Woodward, Susan Stringfield, Tanya Palazzalo, Chris Palazzalo; and back row, from left, Simon Gonzales, Terrence Pitre, Aaron Johnson, Harold Larter, Mitch Perkins and Sheriff’s Dep. Eric Eilers.

Taking part in the recent CERT training were St. Bernard residents, from left in front; Guilliana Williams, Maurya Rodriques and Magdelen Rodriques. Middle row, from left, are Bill Woodward, Sheriff’s Capt. Charles Borchers, Scott Bowles, Albert Loar, Melissa Wickboltd, Linda Woodward, Susan Stringfield, Tanya Palazzalo, Chris Palazzalo; and back row, from left, Simon Gonzales, Terrence Pitre, Aaron Johnson, Harold Larter, Mitch Perkins and Sheriff’s Dep. Eric Eilers.

Linda Woodward, left, and Magdalen Rodriques train on the proper way to use a fire extinguisher,

Linda Woodward, left, and Magdalen Rodriques train on the proper way to use a fire extinguisher,
Albert Loar, foreground, and Scott Bowles also use a fire extinguisher in training.

Albert Loar, foreground, and Scott Bowles also use a fire extinguisher in training.

A group of CERT volunteers raise a table in a drill simulating extricating a victim from under fallen objects.

A group of CERT volunteers raise a table in a drill simulating extricating a victim from under fallen objects.

Remember the old Civil Defense, which had a long history of training volunteers to help out in local emergencies, including in times when the nation was at war? Today, the closest to that is the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, which is under the overall umbrella of U.S. Homeland Security. In St. Bernard, CERT is funded by St. Bernard Parish government through a homeland Security grant.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the Sheriff’s Office is now coordinating a CERT team of volunteers who could supplement first-responders in certain emergencies. There are more than 15 in the group now, including some Reserve Division deputies, and they recently held a training session, the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said St. Bernard Parish residents who are interested in applying to join the CERT program can call Sheriff’s Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

“The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that could impact their area,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “It gives them specific training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.” “No one wants to think about something bad happening but you have to be prepared,’’ the sheriff said.

The concept of civilian auxiliaries is similar to the old Civil Defense, well known during war time. The CERT concept differs somewhat because it includes non-military emergencies, and is coordinated with all levels of emergency authorities, local to national, via an overarching incident command system.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.