Ferndale Fire Department Seeks Volunteers for Emergency Response Team

Looking for a way to help out in the community? The is seeking people interested in being part of a new Community Emergency Response Team.

Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said he hopes to organize a team of about 30 people who would be trained to assist in events like storms, downed wires or even large community events where extra emergency personnel is needed. Training will be provided.

“They can have background or they can have no background,” Sullivan said.

Formation meeting set for 10 a.m. Saturday

Those interested in being part of the CERT team are invited to an informational meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the . Interested volunteers can learn about the time commitment, share their interest level and ask questions.

“It’ll be our formation meeting,” said Sullivan, adding that he has been gathering names of people who have expressed interest in the team for the past several months. “I’m trying to drive as many [people] in as possible.”

'Free to handle bigger emergencies'

Sullivan said the idea behind starting a Community Emergency Response Team is that in the event of large storms or other emergencies, resources can be used up quickly and CERT team members can jump in to assist on the tasks requiring less training.

“I don’t want firemen that are well-trained, well-equipped and very experienced sitting on a wire,” he said, offering an example of the storms last year that caused multiple downed wires – which are risky to the public but could also be monitored by a trained CERT member until the appropriate resource is available.

“We can be cut free to handle bigger emergencies,” Sullivan said. “It kind of augments us when we are overtaxed.”

If you are interested in getting involved, attend the meeting or email ferndalecert@ferndalefirerescue.org.