The Town of Ogden and Village of Spencerport and Department of Homeland Security held its final exercise and graduation ceremony of a CERT team (Community Emergency Response Team) on Tuesday, November 16. This effort was begun through the initiative of Jeff Tewksbury, Ogden’s emergency preparedness manager. The team, the third group of adults trained in the county, spent about 28 hours learning basic skills in search and rescue, fire suppression, medical triage and treatment and disaster psychology to assist family, neighbors and emergency responders. As part of their last class, just prior to graduating, they were tested on their skills by being involved in an emergency response to a simulated partially collapsed building, (the completely dark, former Ogden Highway Department Building), containing trapped victims. As it turned out, there were three “injured” adults and one child, (all mannequins), and a simulated gas leak and fire, all of which required investigation, evaluation and the proper response. The group of 24, (14 from the Ogden area), broke up into smaller teams to address each action. At the conclusion of the exercise, Ralph Dutcher, one of the instructors, said: “They did a good job. It was gratifying to know that the people could put their training into practice.” CERT class members: Donna Baxter, Elizabeth Baxter, James Bertani, Richard Boyan, Kathy Campbell, Carrie Chapman, Charilla Conner, Amanda Coons, Lorry Cordaro, John Crooks, Kim Freitas, Ross Gridley, Richard Hoyer, Heather Hunley, Darrell King, Francis Maier, Mary Mann, Linda McAllister, Diane O’Brien, Natalie Ophardt, Bernard Scoppo, Nancy Sylver, Linda Vaughn. |
