Brick’s Best and Brightest Sought for CERT

The team of everyday people who step up to help police, fire and first-aid workers in crises begins organizing in Brick Township.

Police Chief Nels Bergquist and Mayor John G. Ducey are recruiting now for the townships Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Training covers vital aspects of emergency response and begins June 7.

CERT trainers say that the instruction helps build resilience and stronger bonds in neighborhoods, community groups and workplaces.

Classes in the nine-week course begin at 8 AM each Saturday in the Brick Township Fire Training Academy on Herbertsville Road.

The itinerary includes:

• June 7: Disaster Preparedness
• June 14: Fire Safety and Survival
• June 21: Disaster Medical Operations - Triage and Life-Threatening Injury Treatment
• June 28: Disaster Medical Operations - Assessment, Treatment, Hygiene
• July 12: Light Search and Rescue - Operations and Setup
• July 19: Team Organization - Efficient, safe organization and deployment
• July 26: Disaster Psychology
• August 2: CERT's Role in Terrorism
• August 9: Final Exercise - Hands-on simulation

Applications are available at the Brick Township Police Department on Chambers Bridge Road. CERT Coordinator Joseph Pawlowicz Jr. can be reached at 732-262-1167. There is more general information on the Citizens Corps web page.