(CLEVELAND)- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) across the country and White County’s CERT volunteers were recognized for their service by being included in a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Daily Digest Bulletin.
CERT volunteers are pitching in to help the monumental effort of vaccinating millions against COVID-19.
The bulletin said, in White County, 40 CERT Volunteers are busy scheduling vaccine appointments and handling registration at clinics administering the shots. Some members provide parking support and help enforce social distancing and masking.
David Murphy, Director of Public Safety for White County said in the bulletin “Our local health department has limited staffing, and the CERT Program provides the support needed so the health professionals can administer the vaccine to the patients. Our CERT has been a vital asset to the program and has prepared not only in their training but participation in exercises and drills concerning points of dispensing. ”
CERT Volunteers say both Health Department workers and seniors getting vaccines are happy for the help.
“In this time of uncertainty and confusion, being able to actually talk to someone means a lot. Everyone’s anxiety level is high, and phones are tied up so people cannot get through. So having someone reach out to them either to gather more information or to make them an appointment for the vaccine means so much,” says CERT Volunteer Donna Frady.
Volunteer Sandra Maughon notes that in this small county of 27,000 residents, “It has also been rewarding to see our friends and neighbors come in for their appointment. They are so excited. You would think they won the lottery!”
