February 24, 2022 ― Volunteers are the backbone of many emergency responses; they facilitate communication and interactions between emergency responders and communities. Founded in 2003, the New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT) program trains volunteers with basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, community disaster support, disaster medical operations, and traffic control. More than 1,200 NYC CERT members have been trained to assist New York City when they’re needed most, from educating their communities about emergency preparedness, to supporting such planned events as parades and celebrations, and emergency response and recovery efforts, like cleanup and canvassing operations.  

On the latest episode of ¡Prepárate!, NYC Emergency Management’s Spanish-language podcast, co-hosts Inés Bebea and Yokarina Duarte spoke with Anthony Escoto, the NYC CERT training and exercise program manager, whose passion for helping others led him to join the Army National Guard in 2008, where he served for 10 years. Escoto shares how his experiences ultimately led him to a career in emergency management. During the episode, Escoto describes his work as “fulfilling and a continuation of his passion in the service of others.” Escoto also shares how the NYC CERT program is made up of volunteers that come from all professional backgrounds, cultures, ethnic groups, and language abilities representing the diversity of New York City, and why New Yorkers should get involved.

“Our volunteers range from 18 years old to 80 years old or older, and they’re always prepared to assist New Yorkers in a moment’s notice,” said Anthony Escoto, the NYC CERT program’s training and exercise program manager. “Volunteer work is a selfless act of public service, and it’s rewarding to the communities where the volunteers serve and also live.”

You can listen to ¡Prepárate! on SoundCloud.

Anthony Escoto serves as training and exercise program manager for the New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT) program at NYC Emergency Management. He joined NYC Emergency Management in 2018 as an AmeriCorps fellow supporting the CERT program after serving 10 years in the Army National Guard in New York as a combat engineer and a signal support system specialist. During his last deployment canvassing vacate orders on Staten Island following Hurricane Sandy, he was introduced to NYC Emergency Management and the CERT volunteer program. Born and raised in the Bronx, public service became a passion of his developed through his time in the military.

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