CERT seeks new members

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been operating in Putnam County for less than two years but already has provided invaluable emergency services to the community, and is now looking for new recruits to join the team's mission.

An open house Monday night at the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center featured 10 speakers and no shortage of information for those interested in becoming involved.

A text presentation projected onto the wall of the building showcased the attitude of the CERT team, flashing the question "Do you need help, or are you going to be the help?" every few slides.

This question seemed to be a prevailing theme for discussing the power of helping through becoming a CERT member.

During last winter's exceptionally biting cold spell, CERT augmented emergency services with volunteers, assisting in everything from rescuing a father and his children who were stuck in their home without heat, to providing communication services in case of a county-wide power or cell phone failure.

Mayor Sue Murray opened the evening expressing gratitude for efforts of CERT in Putnam County.

"Thank you for what you do," she told the group. "We are grateful."

Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent took the podium to explain that years ago, the fire department had to do a lot of the work that is currently handled by CERT.

"(CERT) takes off a lot of burden," he said.

With some of the load lightened, the fire department is then able to better utilize its resources.

Newgent referenced an ice storm from several years ago that saw the Greencastle Fire Department dispatched to three months worth of runs in a 48-hour window.

"We want to thank you for everything you do."

CERT seeks members for a wide array of needs from those with medical expertise to those with four-wheel drive vehicles that can provide transportation during inclement weather to individuals to help assess damage from natural disasters.

The notion that everybody has something to offer was an important part of the recruitment process.

CERT provides volunteers with valuable training for emergency or disaster scenarios and helps citizens become equipped with the knowledge and skills that can save lives.

CERT Deputy Chief Clyde Siddons laid out some numbers to help illuminate the importance of the group.

"If you count EMS responders that are paid, there are only five to seven for a population of 32,000," Siddons said as a segue to his next question.

"How long can they work before they are done" and are too exhausted to continue providing their valuable service?

He explained that the Putnam County CERT team is an exceptional example of community emergency response teams, with FEMA having a nationally published article on the accomplishments of Putnam County during the polar vortex emergency from last winter.

Currently the team has about 60 members but has the equipment and the need for twice that many.

"We are still undermanned," Siddons said.

The team meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center, located at 1600 W. County Road 225 South.

For more information on how to become a CERT member, interested persons may email the team at csi@iendeavor.com or contact Patrick Quillen by email at petequillen@depauw.edu or by phone at 317-850-0662.