By Dara Epstein
January 18, 2008
When you see volunteers in their neon orange vests directing traffic around sudden hazards in the road, you might be surprised to discover some of them are medically trained professionals, doctors, dentists and nurses, who form a core component of New Castle’s Community Emergency Response Team, more commonly known as CERT.
The newest member, Dr. Stuart Beeber, a long-time Chappaqua pediatrician, began his training last week. CERT training is easy to complete and offers practical tips about how to handle emergencies at home. The program consists of eight sessions which focus on everything from fire safety and medical operations to disaster psychology.
Dr. Beeber’s reasons for joining CERT mirror those of many CERT volunteers. “I’ve been in the community for over 30 years and I’d like to give back. The police, fire and ambulance departments do a fine job. With Katrina and the local tornado, I realized that there could be a need for an extra pair of trained hands.”
Even with his medical training and experience, Dr. Beeber found, CERT training offered practical advice useful to every resident. It makes you think through your emergency preparedness at home, he explained. He’s learned how much water to store in case of an emergency; how to prepare a “go-to” kit with extra glasses or contacts and a list of necessary medications; where to seek shelter in his home — not in a small room, like a bathroom, because lots of people sheltering there can use up all the oxygen; and what preparations to make for his pets in case of an emergency.
In his most recent contribution to CERT, Dr. Beeber joined Dr. Andy Benjamin and other volunteers visiting senior citizens in town. They collected information that can be used to take personalized care of these residents in an emergency.
CERT volunteers don’t come together only in emergencies. They meet once a month to brush up on training and get to know one another. Beeber observed, “It’s a local organization with a strong sense of community. I find it, and the people interesting and I’m glad I joined.”
The current training schedule is listed below. If you are interested in more information, contact CERT’s chief, Michael Butowsky, at or Ann Marie Fallon at . More information can also be found on the CERT website: http://www.cit-e.net/newcastle-ny/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=3&TPID=4369. There is no charge for the course.
Copyright 2008 NewCastleNOW.org