ASHLAND – Less than one month after a devastating tornado struck the nearby community of Shelby, Ashland County’s Emergency Management Agency is taking steps to make sure Ashland is prepared for similar disasters.
The local EMA is launching a new Community Emergency Response Team, a group of trained volunteers who would be mobilized to assist first responders during and after natural or manmade disasters.
“I think this is a program that’s well overdue,” Ashland County EMA Director Mark Rafeld said. “No matter where you go in Ashland County, there are great people and they deserve more than what they are getting. They deserve a disaster response that’s going to be quick and provide for them the relief they deserve.”
Rafeld said he attempted to start an Ashland County CERT about 10 years ago but quickly abandoned the project because he did not feel he could manage the team while performing his other duties as EMA director.
More recently, a highly qualified CERT Instructor named Melody Barnes moved to Ashland from Knox County and volunteered to help coordinate the team and teach many of the training units.
“I firmly believe God sent her to us at this point in life,” Rafeld said of Barnes. “Melody and I had been talking and I finally gave in and said, ‘Okay, if you’re willing to take this on and put this together, I will support whatever we do.'”
Rafeld said it was the recent tornado in Shelby that convinced him now was the time to organize a volunteer emergency response team.
About a dozen volunteers attended a CERT informational meeting Tuesday, and a majority of attendees plan to complete the 20 hour training required to become FEMA certified and join the local team.
Rafeld and Barnes still are looking for additional volunteers, hoping to attract about 20 Ashland County residents to join the team.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must pass a criminal background check. They do not need to have a particular set of skills but should be joining for the right reasons, Rafeld said.
“We are looking for people who are looking to make a difference in their community. That’s the biggest thing,” Rafeld said. “We don’t need people who want to join because they want to join another group. This is not the place for that.”
Classes are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and Saturday, June 8 as well as 8 a.m. to noon June 15. The classes are mandatory, and participants who miss portions of the class may not be able to earn their certificates or CERT kits.
If interested volunteers are unable to attend classes on the planned dates, Rafeld said, they may make arrangements to attend upcoming classes in Richland or Knox counties.
Topics covered in the 20 hours of instruction include disaster preparedness, fire safety and utility controls, disaster medical operations including basic CPR training, light search and rescue operations, CERT organization, disaster psychology and terrorism. In addition to the required units of instruction, Rafeld said he hopes to cover damage assessment as part of the course. The classes also include a surprise disaster simulation and a final exam.
Upon completion of the course, volunteers will receive a certificate, photo I.D., a CERT shirt, a disaster response kit.
The entire program is free for volunteers, thanks to grant funding and an agreement with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office to provide free background checks.
Volunteers will be expected to participate in periodic trainings and exercises as well as to work shifts in CERT and EMA fair booths.
Water and snacks will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch during full day classes and will be given one hour for lunch.
Anyone who wishes to attend the classes and join the CERT should first call Rafeld at 419-282-4272 or Barnes at 740-398-7380.
