Community Emergency Response Team

Community Emergency Response Team

Operation Helping Hand - Special Needs Registration

Operation Helping Hand is a cooperative public safety program in Holmdel Township. It is designed to assist the safety of those residents of Holmdel Township who are most vulnerable to emergencies and disasters - the elderly and infirmed, those with various disabilities and/or special needs. The information you provide about your health and medical condition may be shared with police, fire and other emergency workers to assist them in responding to a disaster or emergency. You may revoke your consent to sharing information at any time by sending a written request to Holmdel Township Office of Emergency Management, Holmdel Police Department, 4 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733. Providing this information does not ensure that you will receive special treatment, but your needs will be given consideration. By submitting this information, you consent to sharing the information on this form.

Special Needs Registration Instructions

1) Read over the registration form enclosed. Print legibly and answer ALL questions. If your form is missing information like your correct phone number, address, etc. we will not be able to contact or mail you important information. Also we cannot determine your needs unless you answer ALL questions regarding your medical needs and condition. DO NOT LEAVE ANY BLANKS.

2) Mail your registration to :

Office of Emergency Management,
Special Needs Program
Holmdel Township Police Department
4 Crawfords Corner Road
Holmdel, NJ 07733

After your form has been received and approved, your information will remain in our registry for up to one year. Registration is FREE, voluntary and confidential.

3) Keep your registration information current! You are responsible for informing the Office of Emergency Management of any changes that may occur and affect your registration records. For example: If you move, change your phone number, or no longer need to be registered, let us know immediately so your file information can be updated and changed. If we cannot contact you during an emergency we cannot help you.

The Special Needs registry will be updated annually. New Forms will be mailed to registrants to updateinformation and verify eligibility. Registrants who DO NOT reply or cannot be reached at this time are removed from our Special Needs registry and files.

If you have any questions please contact Mike Simpson, OEM Coordinator, at 732 688-6745 or Captain John Mioduszewski, Holmdel Police Dept., at 732 946-4400.

Download An Application!

_____________________________________________________________________

HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OEM)

Holmdel CERT Members Needed!
Download An Application!

An Introduction to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT – What is it?
A Community Emergency Response Team or CERT is a concept first developed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). They recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly, the LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster, survival, and rescue skills would improve the ability of citizens to survive until emergency personnel could arrive. Thus, CERT teams were created to provide vital services in the absence of emergency responders.

Recognizing the universal value of this program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) worked in conjunction with the LAFD to make the CERT program applicable to all types of hazards and developed a CERT training program which could be used nationwide and adapted to meet local conditions when the need arose.

The tragic events of September 11 remind us that disaster can strike anywhere or anytime, and that basic safety and disaster survival skills can mean the difference between life and death. CERT training empowers community members to prepare responsibly and respond appropriately when emergencies occur.

CERT – What do they do?
CERT members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. If there is a natural or man-made event that overwhelms or delays the professional responders, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills they learned during training. These skills can help and sustain lives until help arrives. CERT members can also volunteer for special projects that may improve our community’s preparedness.

CERT – How do they train?
The basic CERT training consists of 20 hours of instruction over an 8 week period. Classes are taught by emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical’ and law enforcement personnel from the community. The basic Course includes:

Family Disaster Preparedness, Basic Fire Suppression, Basic First Aid, CPR, CERT Operations, Basic Emergency Management, Search and Light Rescue Operations, Terrorism Overview, and then a Final Exercise with a Realistic Disaster Simulation.

There will also be additional training opportunities available including communications, shelter operations, traffic control, etc.

CERT – What does it cost you?
Nothing…all training is provided to CERT members free of charge, and following successful completion of the basic training all CERT members will receive their own personal CERT kit which includes protective clothing and headgear, first aid equipment, flashlight and rescue tools and a CERT carry bag…again…free of charge. It’s also worth noting that as funds become available these kits are being expanded.

CERT – What have they done?
CERT teams have been activated to assist in many instances…following hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, a natural gas explosion in WA (the CERT team involved was later to receive the American Red Cross Real Heroes award) wild-fires, and many other instances. In 2004 a local CERT team was activated following an oil spill at the Jersey Shore and were used and equipped to assist in tracking the effect of the spill. They performed so well the team is to receive a Federal Government award!

CERT – How can I join?
To apply to become a Holmdel CERT member you must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. There is no upper age limit! In fact in Grand Junction, Colorado, since mid January 2003, 38 senior citizens, age 55 and older, have completed basic CERT training. The oldest person is 80 and the youngest is 57. Another class of 30 seniors is scheduled for late June!

If you are interested in receiving the appropriate training to help your family, your neighbors, and your community, and perhaps even become a CERT Team Leader then please contact me:

Mike Simpson
Holmdel Township OEM Coordinator
Phone: (732) 688-6745
E-mail: CERT@fusemail.com

Download An Application!