Ranch CERT adds 18 volunteers

Eighteen Lakewood Ranch resident volunteers underwent training and were certified as new members of the Lakewood Ranch Community Response Team. These new members will be assigned to new neighborhood CERT teams throughout Lakewood Ranch.

CERT is a self-help program sponsored by the federal government through the states and administered by cities and counties throughout the nation. Lakewood Ranch CERT comprises residents who have volunteered their time to prepare themselves to assist their neighbors during a natural or manmade disaster. To prepare, CERT members undergo elementary first aid and search and rescue training provided by Manatee County emergency medical and fire department personnel.  

CERT members are not emergency medical or fire fighting professionals and are not trained to the level of first responders. The training they receive prepares them to do what they can to provide life saving assistance to injured residents, free trapped residents, deal with small fires as well as gas and water leaks and bring organization to each neighborhood during what will be a chaotic time.   

With the addition of these new members LWR CERT is approaching 100 trained residents, which will enable the organization to add three teams to the 12 already existing. Thirty-six teams are necessary to provide total coverage to Lakewood Ranch.   

Lakewood Ranch CERT is seeking additional volunteers to help build the organization to its full complement of teams so every neighborhood has its own team trained and ready to provide aid and assistance. The full course of training requires the trainee to attend four sessions with a total time commitment of about 20-22 hours. The next course will be held at from 7-9:30 p.m., July 16; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 18; 7-930 p.m., July 24; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 25, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

If you are interested in becoming part of this dynamic group, contact Vicky Horswood at [email protected].