Can you help out in time of emergency?

By Bryan McKenzie

Published: July 20, 2008

When the fan’s hit, the trees are down and the power out, society divides into those who can help and those who need it.

Local volunteer emergency groups want to know into which category you fit.

“If you get some training, if you know something about fire suppression or search and rescue or first aid, you can help until help arrives,” said Carol Hunt, of the Charlottesville Emergency Response Team. “You can not only take care of yourself, you can take care of others.”

A little bit of everything

The CERT team is a group of local civilians who spend time training in a little bit of everything from putting out fires to directing traffic. The team offers citizens a chance to help out when help is needed.

“We try to do things to free up the first responders,” Ms. Hunt said. “We focus on doing the things like cutting up downed trees, directing traffic or answering non-emergency calls at the [911 center]. It’s more important for police to answer emergency calls than direct traffic.”

CERT is scheduling training sessions again in September, the heart of the tropical storm and hurricane season.

“With CERT, you can train and help in fire suppression or first aid, even if you don’t have the time to volunteer with a fire department or rescue squad,” Ms. Hunt said.

The Central Virginia Regional Chapter, which spans from Culpeper to Shenandoah, holds training sessions for volunteers willing to help in emergencies. It has equipment and supplies stashed across the region, setting up shelters and providing food and communications when disaster strikes.

Some of the crews have been sent to recent Midwest floods to help house and feed those left homeless in the wake of high water.

“We’re the first ones in and the last ones to leave,” said Jack Jones, local Red Cross readiness and response manager. “We’re working with local governments and agencies to fine-tune and keep our plans updated.”

They’re also updating their roll of volunteers, and believe anyone can help.

“You may not think you have the right skills, but in a situation where there is a prolonged emergency response, there is a job for just about everybody,” said Jill Skelton, local Red Cross volunteer director. “It may seem like filing papers isn’t helping, but it is. It helps put a person out there to help someone at the curb.”

Training comes first

The first step in helping, however, is getting some training.

“If you think you conceive of yourself helping out in a disaster, get training so you can be ready when it happens,” said Ms. Skelton.

“If you have training and you don’t do anything else with it during the year, in a disaster you will still be a benefit to your community,” Ms. Hunt said. “That’s what it’s all about.”