The Monroe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was formed in June 2012 with the graduation of the first class of CERT members. Succeeding classes have brought the total number of trained CERT members in Monroe to 75.
The purpose of the CERT is to provide support to our first responders in our community. The basic training of CERT members is to familiarize them with the fire, police, and emergency medical services that are available in our town. Members are instructed as to how they can assist those services when they are called. A special call-up category in the town’s CodeRed system provides for immediate notification of the CERT members when they are needed.
The original purpose for the Monroe CERT was to help with the many aspects of sheltering townspeople during major hurricanes and snow storms. Monroe for several years was affected by a number of storms which left a large number of residents in need of shelter for many days. Monroe CERT members answered the challenge and developed an effective sheltering program at the Monroe Senior Center. Since those storms, the activities of the CERT in town have expanded to include assistance with crowd control and traffic direction at the town’s Memorial Day Parade as well as larger events such as the United Ride which goes through Monroe each September. More recently, CERT members have assisted with support services at the evening concerts and theater performances that have been held at Wolfe Park. Currently, some of our CERT members are participating in Regional CERT field days and mutual aid training exercises.
The basic training of the CERT members provides necessary information to support their activities with the emergency services. Additional training includes traffic training, working with canine search teams, utility awareness, use of portable radios, and CPR. Training involves 20 hours of classroom as well as some hands-on activities.
The CERT program is administered as part of our town’s Emergency Management Department. Training classes are held usually once a year. For more information, contact David York who is Monroe’s Emergency Management Director and can be reached at dyork@monroect.gov or 203-650-8474
Additional Links
- Donate to Support Monroe COVID-19 Response Effort
- 2023 CERT Training Registration
- 2023 CERT Press Release
Contact Information
Address:
Town of Monroe
7 Fan Hill Road
Monroe, CT 06468
CERT Director
David York
Phone (203) 650-8474
Email