White County Public Safety’s Emergency Management Division and CERT Program graduated a class of seven new members Thursday evening at a ceremony held at the White County Senior Center.
The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trains volunteers from the community to aid in disaster and unusual events. During the 10-week course, the graduates learned appropriate response to man-made and natural incidents through hands-on practice and realistic exercises.
“We know you all have trained hard over the past 10 weeks, so I congratulate you on this accomplishment, you will never know the impact the CERT Team has on the community,” said CERT Team Coordinator Leah Torregiano.
EMA Division Chief Don Strength worked with CERT teams from around the state through his job at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
“In my work around the state I have seen the advantages firsthand of having a strong, capable CERT Team. The citizens of White County can rest assured knowing that we have one of the best teams around,” he said.
According to White County Public Safety Director David Murphy, the CERT Team is a “huge asset” in the county’s response to natural and man-made disasters. Since 2005, the county’s public safety agency has graduated over 300 CERT members.
Those interested in joining the CERT Program may contact Torregiano at [email protected].
