OEM HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 78 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM VOLUNTEERS

New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno today joined Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, and other City officials in presiding over a graduation ceremony for 78 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers.  These graduates join the more than 1,000 active CERT volunteers assigned to 56 teams across the five boroughs.

“Today’s volunteers have answered Mayor Bloomberg’s call for people in all five boroughs to engage in public service,” said Deputy Mayor Skyler.  “CERT is one of many NYC Service opportunities that offer New Yorkers a chance to give back to their communities.  On behalf of the Mayor, I want to congratulate you for everything you’ve accomplished over the past 10 weeks, and thank you for your commitment to serving the City of New York” 

“I continue to be impressed by the dedication CERT members exhibit when they’re called into service,” said Commissioner Bruno. “Without fail, these volunteers step right into action whether they are asked to provide crowd control at a parade, or help direct traffic during an emergency. CERT volunteers are ready to help at a moment’s notice, and we are extremely grateful for their service.”

“Volunteers have made important contributions to the City’s history throughout the centuries, from the original police and fire ‘watchmen’ of New Amsterdam to those who assist first responders today in a variety of ways,” said Commissioner Kelly. The desire to contribute to the common good hasn’t changed, only the training has – it’s gotten better. Congratulations to the new CERT graduates.”

"The Community Emergency Response Teams play such an important role in every community in New York City," Commissioner Cassano said. "The information and resources they provide in their neighborhoods help keep everyone safe and prepared for every type of emergency.  It's a wonderful program and we're proud to be part of it.”

CERT volunteers participate in a 10-week training program in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills taught by active and retired personnel from the Police and Fire Departments.  After completing training that includes lessons in fire safety, search and rescue, and disaster medical operations, CERTs support their communities by assisting City agencies that prepare for and respond to disasters.  CERT volunteers also work to educate their communities about emergency preparedness through OEM’s Ready New York campaign.

In addition to assisting first responders, CERTs play an important role in emergency training exercises and community events.  Recently, CERT members were deployed to assist at the Paul McCartney concert at Citi Field and the US Open in Flushing Meadows.  CERTs also worked side by side with the NYPD Auxiliary to control crowds during the inflating of the Macy’s Day Parade balloons.  In December 2009, CERT members participated in an early morning FDNY and MTA drill in Long Island, where they played victims from a simulated train derailment in the subway tunnel between Queens and Manhattan.

In Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City speech last year he launched, NYC Service, an ambitious plan to promote volunteerism and engage more New Yorkers in public service. Emergency Preparedness is one of six volunteer opportunities promoted by NYC Service. The CERT program provides New Yorkers an opportunity to promote emergency preparedness in their communities and help their neighbors respond to and recover from emergencies.  

The CERT program is a collaborative effort among OEM and the New York City Police and Fire Departments.  For more information about the CERT program, or if you are interested in becoming a CERT volunteer, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/cert. The next round of CERT training will begin in late February.

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CONTACT: Chris Gilbride/ Seth Andrews (OEM)                           (718) 422-4888