ROCKLAND COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING CYCLE
Volunteers to receive training in basic fire safety, traffic management and first aid

NEW CITY, NY  --  County Executive Ed Day today announced the latest round of training for new members of the Rockland Community Emergency Response Team (RCERT). The program, presented by the Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services and the Rockland County Youth Bureau, is designed to provide basic training in disaster preparedness for residents, which increases the ability of citizens to manage an extreme situation until first responders or other assistance arrives.

Two upcoming disaster preparedness classes are offered free of charge:

• Light Search and Rescue - Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 7 p.m.
• Disaster Medical II (First Aid) - Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Light Search and Rescue is open to anyone 14 years and older. Disaster Medical II is open to anyone 14 years and older who has completed at least one prior RCERT class. Those who complete Disaster Medial II in its entirety will earn first aid certification.

Classes are held at the Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen's Memorial Drive, Pomona, New York 10970.

"Our residents who volunteer their time to become RCERT members are a true asset to our community," said County Executive Day. "We are proud to continue this important program and train our people to step up and support their neighbors when needed most."

RCERT offers training in basic disaster response skills, including as fire safety, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, RCERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

RCERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.  Students will be trained to provide services such as supply distribution, fire safety, damage assessment, shelter assembly, neighbor well-checks, light search and rescue and disaster medical operations.

In non-crisis times, volunteers will educate the community about disaster preparedness through coordination of public education campaigns and events.

Classes are offered as part of the RCERT curriculum, and are available to those who wish to complete the entire course, or for those who would like to take only classes of interest. The full RCERT curriculum is a 25 to 30 hour FEMA-based training module comprised of eight classes, and completed over a course of approximately eight months to one year. Fully-trained RCERT members graduate with a certificate of completion and become eligible for deployment and additional training. Certified members volunteer up to 10 hours per month.

For more information, reach out via e-mail rcamericorps@co.rockland.ny.us or by calling (845) 708-7307.