In March 2008, Rush County received a Homeland Security Grant that was used to purchase equipment and training supplies for a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
A few months later, through the combined efforts of the LEPC and the Rush County EMA, 14 citizens began a four month comprehensive and hands-on instruction and training program and gained certification as the county’s first CERT team.
Team members completed more than 27 hours of in-class instruction on a variety of issues including disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, organization and disaster psychology.
Following the instruction, members were then given a comprehensive exam designed to test their knowledge on what they learned. That exam was followed by a disaster exercise that put to test the physical requirements of the program.
Nearly a year later, and following a number of follow-up training exercises, the county is ready to form a second CERT team.
Applications are currently being accepted with training scheduled to begin in January 2010. Interested parties may pick up applications at the EMA office in the Rush County Courthouse.
The concept for CERT began following a series of serious forest fires that struck southern Californian in 1985. Trained teams were first utilized a few years later following the Whitter, Calif. earthquake in 1987.
Since that time more than 8,000 individuals and 225 teams have been trained in California alone. Following the success and availability of the teams, the Federal Emergency Management Agency felt that teams should be formed in communities nationwide.
The training is designed for members to prepare themselves, their families and neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster — and the purpose of CERT is to stimulate interest in community safety at the grass roots level.
The teams match the needs of emergency responders with their skills and abilities and the disaster or need at hand.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
News
Applicants sought for second county CERT team
Training to begin in January
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RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
The Rush County Education Fund Grants Committee recently met to review grant applications for the 2012 grant cycle and to make their recommendations to the Rush County Community Foundation's Board of Directors.
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Commissioners hear of feasibility study
The Rush County Commissioners met earlier this week and heard a report regarding a feasibility study currently underway regarding the city possibly running an ambulance service out of the Rushville Fire Department.
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Pool open
Waggener Community Pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed Monday and Tuesday and then open again Wednesday as was originally scheduled. Information: 932-7100.
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Farmers Market
The Rush County Farmers and Artisans Market kicks off the 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of East Third Street in downtown Rushville!
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Good Samaritan recognized for heroic efforts
The lives of three complete strangers became intertwined the morning of Oct. 25, 2011.
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Lion Project showing community pride
If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that new concrete lions are showing up all over town.
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Waggener Pool opening Saturday and Sunday
In an update to this story, the City announced plans today to open Waggener Community Pool earlier than originally planned due to expected high temperatures over Memorial Weekend. Mayor Mike Pavey has asked that the pool be open this coming Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day and Tuesday, and open again Wednesday, May 30, as was originally scheduled.
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Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
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Collision lands driver in Indy trauma center
A Milroy woman sustained serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on SR 244 west of Milroy that was reported shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.
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Todd resigns
Bill Todd (center) is pictured during a recent meeting of the Rush County Commissioners at which he formally announced that he had turned in his resignation as the Rush County Area Plan Director. Todd has served in the capacity of APC director since 1998.
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