The City of Ocean City and Upper Township will host free training classes for citizens to become certified members of the joint Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Classes run for 11 weeks on Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). The classes begin Sept. 19 and end Dec. 12.
The Ocean City Office of Emergency Management has offered CERT classes to citizens for more than 10 years. The program training includes all aspects of disaster preparation including shelter management, Heart Saver CPR/AED, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, terrorism and CERT, traffic control/special events, and natural disaster preparedness.
CERT volunteers played a vital role during Superstorm Sandy and have been called on many times since then.
Eligible participants must be 18 years of age or older and reside in Ocean City or Upper Township. Upon completion of the training, participants will have learned basic first aid, become CPR and AED certified and be prepared to assist with emergency response needs for their community, neighbors, family and themselves.
Class size is limited, so citizens are encouraged to register early. To register, please visit www.ocnj.us/CERT. Residents also can contact Ocean City OEM Coordinator Frank Donato at fdonato@ocnj.us or Upper Township OEM Coordinator Scott Morgan at smorgan@uppertownship.com.
