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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S BRONX 12 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) HOSTS COMMUNITY EMERGENCYAWARENESS FAIR IN THE BRONX

Teams up with FDNY EMS, Montefiore Hospital, Home Depot, Ridgewood Bank, and YMCA to bring emergency preparedness festivities to residents

June 13, 2015 — New York City Emergency Management's Bronx 12 CERT hosted a community emergency awareness fair Saturday outside the Wakefield Library in the Bronx. Bronx 12 CERT teamed up with FDNY EMS, Montefiore Hospital, Home Depot, Ridgewood Bank, and a local YMCA to bring free food and emergency preparedness festivities to local residents. Residents toured an FDNY firetruck, practiced their Zumba moves, played preparedness games, and received free Go Bags and first-aid kits. The event was held between 10 AM and 3 PM.

"It's great to see the team spirit Bronx 12 CERT shows. NYC Emergency Management and our volunteers share the same goal—to help our fellow New Yorkers prepare themselves in case a disaster strikes," said Herman Schaffer, Assistant Commissioner of Community Outreach at NYC Emergency Management. "It is great not only to see Bronx 12 members, but CERTs from the entire borough working together to engage and share information with their local community today."

The Bronx 12 CERT volunteers organized the community fair to heighten the awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness education to Bronx residents. Volunteers gave away free first-aid kits and flashlights, and showed residents how to pack a Go Bag (a collection of items like batteries, food, and important documents that you may need in an evacuation). Volunteers also handed out Ready New York literature including tips on how to make an emergency plan and a guide to beating the heat. Local YMCA instructors taught Zumba dances, and doctors from Montefiore Hospital handed out children's toys, games, and paint materials. Residents also watched a brief Ready New York video on the importance of making an emergency plan with their family.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in New York City

The New York City CERT program started in 2003 with 106 volunteers. To date, the City has more than 50 CERT teams and more than 2,000 credentialed members representing all five boroughs. New York City CERT volunteers participate in a 10-week training program in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills taught by active personnel from the Police and Fire Departments. After completing training, CERTs support their local communities by assisting City agencies that prepare for and respond to emergencies. The next CERT Cycle will begin in September.

For more information about the CERT program, or if you are interested in becoming a CERT volunteer, call 311 or visit NYC.gov/.

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