On June 7, an 11-member NYC OEM, Fire
Department, and Health Department team traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to
help build a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Over a
10-day period the team trained 412 Haitians. These trainees live in temporary
shelters at the Petionville Club—a former golf course that now houses more than
50,000 people displaced by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck near
Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010. The new Haitian CERT members trained by New
York City instructors will now help develop the program in other parts of Haiti.
The New York CERT team trained Haitians in fire safety, first aid, triage,
strategies to combat civil unrest, light search and rescue, public health, water
safety, and disaster psychology. This was the first time the New York City CERT
trainers taught the CERT program outside the United States.
The CERT team returned to New York from Haiti June 19. View the photos below
for highlights from their experience.
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NYC CERT team with students from cycle one
at the Petionville Tennis Club.
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These colorful tarp tents at the Petionville Camp
each house a family.
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Instructors held most classes outdoors
and students observed from the bleachers.
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When it rained, the NYC CERT team brought
students inside a supply tent.
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Students respond to a fire safety and light
search and rescue drill.
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A student receives hands-on education in a fire
safety from two CERT instructors.
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A peek inside one of the instructors’ sleeping
quarters at Camp Charlie.
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An example of the privacy-lacking women’s
restroom at the Petionville camp.
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Commissioner Bruno thanks and congratulates new CERT
graduates.
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Newly trained CERT members dressed up for graduation
at Camp Petionville.
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The team drove by this collapse every day
on their way to and from Camp Petionville. |
More images from
the collapse around Camp
Petionville. |
