Stamford CT: About 80 volunteers from the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Wilton, New Canaan and Stamford gathered Saturday at the Roxbury Elementary School on West Hill Road, Stamford, where they participated in a 4 hour exercise, training to respond to Mass Casualty Events like hurricane Sandy and the recent train derailment in Fairfield. Training focused on Search and Rescue,Medical Triage and Treatment, Recovery of evidence,Radio Communications and Perimeter control.
CERT groups are made up of community volunteers trained by local police and fire fighters to respond and assist during disasters or situations which may overwhelm local emergency resource capabilities. CERT members apply the training they receive during exercises like this one to give critical support to people in their immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to first responders and are able to support their efforts, as directed, by the incident command officer.