The City of Boston’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains citizens to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their communities. In May 2009 the Mayor's Office of Emergency Preparedness will launch it's 3rd CERT program in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood and is looking for volunteers interested in taking the free course.
Through CERT, citizens learn skills and concepts that prepare them to assist victims, organize volunteers, and help their neighbors recover in the aftermath of an emergency or disaster. CERT also teaches people how to prepare their homes, their families, and their communities in order to reduce the impact of a disaster.
Upon completion of the program you will be part of a team of volunteers ready and able to take action to prepare and protect the community.
CERT training consists of a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, taught over seven Thursday evenings in May and June. Classes will be held at the Curtis Hall Community Center, located at 20 South Street in Jamaica Plain, on Thursday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The dates are May 14th, 21st, 28th and June 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th.
You will train alongside other Jamaica Plain community members that will be part of your CERT Team. Classes are taught by professionals from the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, Boston Police and Fire Departments, Boston Emergency Medical Services, the Boston Public Health Commission, the American Red Cross, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies active in emergency preparedness.
How do I Join?
Applications are available on-line through the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness at www.cityofboston.gov/cert, via e-mail at CERT@cityofboston.gov or may be picked up at the first class. For more information please e-mail or call the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness at (617) 635-1400.