MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown’s first Community Emergency Response Team  (CERT) is ready to roll, thanks to a 20-hour training class taught by the township’s Office of Emergency Management.

The team, which is comprised of 14 volunteers, was recognized by the Middletown Township Committee tonight for completion of the training course, which included basic first aid, search and rescue, preliminary damage assessment, and other skills to help families and neighbors in times of crisis. The members of the team are Bob Astmann, Kenneth Barker, Carol Cangialosi, Bob Ernsdorff, Rich Farricker, Mario Gagliano, Thomas Gagliastro, Dorianne Hennessy, Peter Paris, Clifford Raisch, Bob Santoro, Thomas Stokes III, Thomas Stokes IV, Lydia Wong, and Charles Weber.

“We are very proud of this first group of residents who have stepped forward to form a team that can help their community in times of need,” said Mayor Rosemarie D. Peters. “We hope this first team will be the catalyst that prompts residents to form a network of CERTs throughout the township.”

OEM’s goal is to form a 10-member team in each of Middletown’s neighborhoods through the cooperation of community, civic, school, and religious groups. The teams would only be called into action in a major emergency that affected their area.

“Community support is crucial during the first 12 to 72 hours after a major emergency occurs in order to allow first responders to focus their effort on the most critical, life-threatening situations,” Peters said.

A second training class will be held this fall for new volunteers. Upon completion of the course, team members are only required to participate in one drill each year.

CERT is one of two programs established by the Middletown Township Office of Emergency Management that are aimed at enhancing the community’s response to all types of emergency situations.  The second program, known as the Medical Reserve Corps, would be used to augment medical and health services available in the community. Practicing and retired physicians, nurses, and other health professionals are being recruited to assist during local emergencies that overwhelm the medical community. No additional training is required to become a part of the Medical Reserve Corps.

Community Emergency Response Teams and the Medical Reserve Corps are part of President George W. Bush’s Citizen Corps, which is aimed at enhancing the long-term security of communities across the nation. Call the Middletown Office of Emergency Management at  (732) 615-2129 to register for the fall training session or join the Medical Reserve Corps.