Community Emergency Response Team Update- Follow Up
Community Emergency Response Team Meeting – January 13
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share a brief update from a recent Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) meeting that I attended, along with some important information that may be helpful for our community.
We discussed upcoming training opportunities that will authorize CERT members to help train community members on what to do—and what not to do—in the event of an emergency. These trainings are focused on keeping both volunteers and residents safe while ensuring accurate information reaches official emergency responders.
Some key points from the meeting include:
Volunteer Safety First: CERT volunteers are not to enter unsafe or damaged buildings and should never put themselves in danger while assisting.
Damage Assessments: When assessing damage, volunteers should obtain at least a photo of the damage and gather basic information but leave hazardous situations to professional responders.
No Financial Promises: Volunteers should not promise or imply any form of financial assistance.
Supporting First Responders: Any information collected (photos, observations, details) should be shared with official emergency response teams to help them respond effectively.
Futurity App: We discussed the Futurity app, which will allow access to real-time emergency information. This tool can help community leaders and residents stay informed and take appropriate action during emergencies.
Emergency Alerts: For reliable alert information, residents are encouraged to use Alert Alabama: https://alert-alabama.org/blog/
Our goal as a community is to stay informed, prepared, and safe—while supporting official emergency responders in the best way possible.
More information about training opportunities will be shared as it becomes available. Thank you all for your continued care and commitment to our community.