Join Shrewsbury's Emergency Response Team

The City of Shrewsbury Emergency Services will conduct a C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) Program starting Thursday, January 31st and continuing for seven additional weeks. 

Classes will be held at the Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Avenue from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. each week.  Upon successful completion of the program, attendees will receive a certificate of completion, an Identification card, and equipment necessary to be part of the Emergency Response Team of the City.

"We are anxious to provide our citizens with knowledge and training to allow them to survive natural and man-made disasters, and to help their neighbors in survival and recovery as well!"  stated Mayor Felicity Buckley.

"In the event of a disaster, the emergency services of the City will be extremely busy" said Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Bill Fox.  "Our citizens will need to be self-sufficient for the first few hours or even days.  It is important for them to have the knowledge and skills necessary to take care of themselves and their neighbors during the initial hours after an incident."

The classes will include: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, HazMat and Hazard Reduction, Emergency Medical Operations, Triage, First-Aid & CPR, Light Search and Rescue, Planning and Size-Up, Disaster Psychology and Team Organization and Disaster drill and Hands on Skills Practice.

"We are looking to form a C.E.R.T. Team for the City which would be able to assist the Fire, Police, Public Works, and Parks Departments in both emergency operations and civic events.  Their presence and assistance would free up those emergency personnel and allow more people to be helped sooner" said Mayor Buckley.  "Shrewsbury is such a close-knit community.  This is another way of getting the community informed and involved."

Classes will be taught by Fire and Police Department Personnel.  There is no charge to attend, but the class is limited to 15 participants.  To register call the Fire Department at314-645-5077 during normal office hours.