The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was created by FEMA in the late 1970s as a community-based reactive team for emergencies. Their role is to provide first response until professionals arrive and then provide support as needed. Seabrook Island CERT was established in 2006 when a number of concerned residents undertook and completed the FEMA-designed training through the Charleston County Office of Emergency Management.
CERT is a volunteer, FEMA-trained, and certified organization of residents who are there to provide first response to the community in the event of an emergency or disaster. We have provided support to St. Johns Fire Department in the search and rescue of missing children, swimmers, kayakers, and boaters in the vicinity of Seabrook Island.
In addition to being available during an emergency, CERT members support the community by providing traffic control during the 4th of July Parade, the Holiday Parade, and marathons as well as providing backup to St. Johns Fire Department in the event of a major incident.
We are looking for new members. To view of video about how CERT serves communities throughout the United States, click here. The normal time commitment for Seabrook Island CERT is one hour every other month to attend a meeting and then for events as they occur. Please contact:
Stephen Pollock, Team Leader for SI CERT
516-510-9029
spollock455@gmail.com
-Submitted by Stephen Pollack
(Image credit: en.wikipedia.org)