Community comes together to form Early Response Team
NORWICH – There’s a new effort underway to form an Early Response Team (ERT) in Chenango County. On February 8 at the Broad Street United Methodist Church, about 30 volunteers have signed up to participate in an Early Response Team Training.
This training has been coordinated in cooperation with the City of Norwich's Emergency Management Office.
“The early response team will be a set of second responders, a group that has an interest in helping community after a disaster,” said City Emergency Management Director A. Wesley Jones. “Flooding is the number one threat. So that's what I see them being used for.”
Team Coordinator Tom Holmes, identified a need for a group of volunteers to assist community members who have been impacted by local disasters.
“All too often those of us living in Chenango County are hit with heavy rains and periodic flooding that badly affects our neighbors. After the first responders have left, there’s frequently a very disheartening mess left before repairs can begin and folks can begin to rebuild their lives. There’s a need to help clean that mess, and to provide emotional support throughout the recovery process,” said Holmes.
According to the ERT website trainees will learn how to work with survivors of local disasters, important things to know about disaster spiritual and emotional care, organizational structure for the relief stage, team safety, ERT protocols, safe sanctuaries, and how to equip an ERT.
To participate in the training volunteers had to be over the age of 18 and pass a background check. After the training an ERT badge is issued by United Methodist Committee of Relief. Badges are valid for three years.
Holmes stated that Broad Street Church arranged to pay for the background check and the registration fee for the first 30 people who register for the course. At this point the class is at capacity and not accepting any more registrations.
The responsibilities of the Early Response Team will be to take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property by performing tasks such as putting up tarps, debris removal, and cleaning out flooded homes. Teams may be asked to manage donated materials, gather information, and observe the survivors’ needs and report them to the local organizations.
“We're looking for a crew to help our friends and neighbors, provide some longer term assistance. Lives tend to go on hold until after the mess is cleaned up,” said Holmes. “More important than the clean up, it's important for people to know that there are community members who care and want to help.”
Jones said the job of the Emergency Management Office is to support the ERT, guide them, and get them the right training.
Holmes said the team is filling a niche that is not being covered by first responders.
“I want people to know that this is not meant to compete with other volunteer groups, but rather it's a way to keep the community united,” he said.
This training has been coordinated in cooperation with the City of Norwich's Emergency Management Office.
“The early response team will be a set of second responders, a group that has an interest in helping community after a disaster,” said City Emergency Management Director A. Wesley Jones. “Flooding is the number one threat. So that's what I see them being used for.”
Team Coordinator Tom Holmes, identified a need for a group of volunteers to assist community members who have been impacted by local disasters.
“All too often those of us living in Chenango County are hit with heavy rains and periodic flooding that badly affects our neighbors. After the first responders have left, there’s frequently a very disheartening mess left before repairs can begin and folks can begin to rebuild their lives. There’s a need to help clean that mess, and to provide emotional support throughout the recovery process,” said Holmes.
According to the ERT website trainees will learn how to work with survivors of local disasters, important things to know about disaster spiritual and emotional care, organizational structure for the relief stage, team safety, ERT protocols, safe sanctuaries, and how to equip an ERT.
To participate in the training volunteers had to be over the age of 18 and pass a background check. After the training an ERT badge is issued by United Methodist Committee of Relief. Badges are valid for three years.
Holmes stated that Broad Street Church arranged to pay for the background check and the registration fee for the first 30 people who register for the course. At this point the class is at capacity and not accepting any more registrations.
The responsibilities of the Early Response Team will be to take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property by performing tasks such as putting up tarps, debris removal, and cleaning out flooded homes. Teams may be asked to manage donated materials, gather information, and observe the survivors’ needs and report them to the local organizations.
“We're looking for a crew to help our friends and neighbors, provide some longer term assistance. Lives tend to go on hold until after the mess is cleaned up,” said Holmes. “More important than the clean up, it's important for people to know that there are community members who care and want to help.”
Jones said the job of the Emergency Management Office is to support the ERT, guide them, and get them the right training.
Holmes said the team is filling a niche that is not being covered by first responders.
“I want people to know that this is not meant to compete with other volunteer groups, but rather it's a way to keep the community united,” he said.
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