Welcome Academy #3 CERT Volunteers

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of CERT graduating class 3. Over the past three Saturdays you received instruction in various areas of disaster and emergency preparedness along with information on the Mammoth Lakes CERT organization. Hopefully, each of you may have given some thought as to how your current and past employment, hobbies or additional skills or talents may play into or contribute to the team. We depend on each of you to play an important part in the overall growth of the organization and to make our CERT team one of the best in the nation.

Over the coming months, I will be asking each of you for some input as to how you would like to contribute during times of disasters or emergencies. Some suggestions may include; Red Cross Shelters, EOC staffing, Field Operations, Medical Operations or all of the above. Non-emergency events and activities continue to occupy the majority of the CERT team function and we encourage each member to volunteer their time whenever possible during these scheduled events..

With that stated, I would like the new members to begin the background process. Upon completion of the background you will then be issued a Town of Mammoth Lakes ID card. Additionally, I would like all of you to begin taking the on-line IS 100 and 700 courses through FEMA. Once completed, I would ask that you submit your certificate to me or CERT member Cara Isaac. New members will be notified through email by CERT member Kathy Watkins regarding the Red Cross Shelter Training and Red Cross First Aid/CPR course.

Steps needed:

• Call 934-2011 and ask for Renee Placensia to arrange a time to come in and get your fingerprints taken.
• Begin the on-line IS 100 and 700 courses. www.traifemaning..gov/IS/
• You will be notified through email of the Red Cross Training for Shelter and First Aid/CPR
• Attend General CERT meetings 3^rd Monday of the month at Main Street Fire House.

At any time you have any questions concerning the CERT program, please feel free to contact me or any of the board members.

Sincerely,

Jim Short, CERT Director