Members of the fourth Coweta County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class were front and center at the Jan. 7 meeting of the Coweta County Commission. Formed to provide assistance in times of disaster and community emergencies, members of the new CERT team are also amateur radio operators.
In photo at right, graduates of the current Coweta County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), who are all amateur radio operators, were recognized Jan. 7 by the Coweta County Commission. Those attending included, from left, Greg Keck, Alan Hamel, Tony Oresteen, Sam Smith, Arlin Lambert, Nancy Smith, Yiannis Vasiliadis, Steve Yothment, Bill Hardin, Jeff Cantor and CERT instructor Randy Mercer. Not pictured are Ellis Camp and Huey Kenmar. Photo/Ben Nelms.
Coweta County Emergency Management Agency Director Jay Jones told commissioners the county’s fourth CERT team completed 20 hours of specialized training to assist each member and their respective surrounding neighbors in the event a disaster strikes their community. This training will allow members to support emergency management and other public safety agencies during times of need, Jones said.
In introducing the new team, Jones noted that all 12 graduates are also amateur radio operators.
Jones said the county has trained 50 CERT team members in the past two years, with another class anticipated for the spring.
The goal is to have CERT members in every major neighborhood in Coweta County, Jones said.
Anyone interested in CERT training can contact Jay Jones at 770-254-2650.
