Oak Park Seeks Volunteers for Emergency Response Team

Emergency preparedness officials are seeking volunteers to form a community emergency response team — or CERT — in Oak Park to support response efforts after an emergency or natural disaster.

Working with the Police, Fire, Public Works and Public Health departments, Oak Park’s CERT will provide not only required assistance, but the leadership and organization ability that can help fill the gap between the number of people who need emergency assistance and the resources available within the community and their own neighborhoods. The team will play a critical role in assisting the Red Cross and other relief organizations in the event of an actual emergency.

CERT members receive 20 hours of training focused on basic firefighting, search and rescue, first aid, communications, traffic control and other emergency response skills. Membership is open to Oak Park residents age 16 or older. Teens and high school students can help out with their local CERT team and earn community service hours where applicable.

Initial training will be conducted the evenings of Jan. 18, 25 and 26. Prior experience is not required. For more information, call 708.358.5488 or email msnow@oak-park.us.