Tamarac CERT members on the beach assisting Fort Lauderdale with spring break kick-off. {Courtesy Tamarac CERT}
By Agrippina Fadel
Residents of Tamarac, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Margate, and 11 other municipalities in Broward County now have the opportunity to learn how to respond in emergency situations and become community heroes with the Community Emergency Response Team CERT program.
The program, which provides various classes on disaster preparedness, offers training in basic emergency management skills such as fire suppression, hazardous materials handling, first aid, search and rescue skills, and terrorist attack response.
Open to residents of all ages, CERT provides a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.
According to Van Schoen, Tamarac’s Fire Rescue Public Information Officer and the Chair for the FCABC CERT Sub Committee, the program offers something for everyone, with teen classes and HOA groups available.
Schoen, who has been serving in the fire service for over 40 years, became involved in CERT in 1999 as a member, instructor, and program manager.
In a joint effort, the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County, Tamarac Fire Rescue, Plantation Fire Department, and Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue recently released a public service announcement video to provide residents throughout Broward County a glimpse of what the CERT program offers.
Residents interested in joining the program can find schedules for the 24-hour classes in each municipality and fill out the CERT interest form.
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