Free Emergency Response Training: Helping Our Family and Neighbors
By Dara Epstein
January 4, 2008
It’s comforting…knowing how to assist family or friends in… (God forbid)…an emergency. Being prepared for emergencies brings many of us peace of mind and makes good sense.
The New Castle Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trains its members to assist recovery in emergencies or disasters. The free training prepares members to manage personal emergencies, such as suppressing a small kitchen fire or bandaging a bloody finger, to large scale disasters, such as aiding a neighborhood following a tornado. Most of you have noticed CERT volunteers, thanks to their neon rain slickers, assisting the fire and police departments with traffic near downed power lines due to storms.
New Castle has a core of volunteers who have been helping our town for three years. As more of our citizens become trained volunteers, our families and neighbors will become safer. CERT is entirely a volunteer organization; members choose to respond to calls if they are available.
The next CERT training program begins on January 9th (see below). It consists of classes on eight Wednesday evenings and one Saturday morning exercise. Attendance at all sessions is not required; missed classes can be made up at future training programs. There is no charge for this class. The classes are given at the Westchester County D.E.S. at 4 Dana Road (off Rt. 9A) in Valhalla. You can contact New Castle CERT Chief Michael Butowsky at or Recruitment chair, Ann Marie Fallon at if you would like more information or:
For more additional information on the courses:
Peter Dandreano- ; 914-682-5334 (option 3 if you get voicemail)
New Castle CERT website: http://www.cit-e.net/newcastle-ny/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=3&TPID=4369
Topic Date Time
Introduction to CERT & Emergency Prep 1/09/08 7PM-9PM
Medical Ops 1 1/16/08 7PM-9PM
Medical Ops 2 1/23/08 7PM-9PM
CERT Organization1/30/08 7PM-9PM
Terrorism 2/06/08 7PM-9PM
Disaster Psychology 2/13/08 7PM-9PM
Fire Safety/Search & Rescue-Classroom 2/20/08 7PM-9PM
Fire Safety/Search & Rescue-Practical 2/23/08 9AM-12PM(Saturday)
Snow Day Make-Up & Graduation 2/27/08 7PM-9PM
Directions to the Westchester County D.E.S. at 4 Dana Road Valhalla, NY
Traveling South on Rt. 9A: Dana Road is the first traffic light after you pass the Bloomingdale Furniture Clearance Center (across from Home Depot). Make a left at the traffic light onto Dana Road. The WC DES building is the second building on your right. Parking is available in the Police Academy Lot—first building on the right.
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