White County CERT adds five new members

Pictured left to right are Chuck Blaine, Barb Blaine, CERT Coordinator Leah Torregiano , Emergency Management Division Chief Don Strength, Director of White County Public Safety David Murphy, Chris Moore, Gabriella Gammans, William May, Diane May, Donna Frady, Fire Services Division Chief Michael LeFevre, Fire Services Battalion Chief Josh Taylor. Not pictured: Joseph Gralton. (photo by White County Public Safety)

White County Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) welcomed five new graduates into its program.

Gabriella Gammans, Joseph Gralton, William May, Diane May, and Chris Moore completed 60 hours of Search and Rescue Basic Training. Topics covered include Search and Rescue Techniques, Land Navigation, Wilderness First Aid, Man-Tracking, and usage of the SarTopo Platform.

Last month alone, White County CERT’s Search and Rescue Team completed over 620 hours of training.

“A special congratulations goes out to these graduates. Not only did these individuals complete CERT Basic Training, but they then specialized to join the Search and Rescue team,” says White County Public Safety Director David Murphy.

“I have seen firsthand the effect this team has in emergency situations, and I appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into it.”