FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release 06-001
March 12, 2006

OEM ANNOUNCES NEW ROUND OF TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS (CERT)

The New York City Office of Emergency Management today announced the next phase of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) throughout the City. Seven new CERTs will begin an extensive, 11 week training program. Upon their completion of the program, the number of CERTs in the five boroughs will rise to 36.

The CERT program aims to help communities take a more active role in emergency response and preparedness. CERT members are trained in basic disaster response skills so they can assist emergency response personnel during crises in their communities. CERT members are taught by members of OEM, as well as the Fire and Police Departments. They learn basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and medical operations. CERTs also work to educate residents about the many hazards they may face and ways they can better prepare for all types of emergencies.

OEM plans to have one CERT in every Community Board in the City by the end of 2006. Individuals interested in starting a CERT in their community, or joining an existing team, should call 311 or visit OEM's Web site www.nyc.gov/oem.

CONTACT: Jarrod Bernstein/Andrew Troisi 718-422-4888

NOTE: Members of the media seeking to observe a CERT training session should contact the OEM Press Office at the above number.