County's Department of Emergency Management trains East County CERT teams

Local Community Emergency Response Team members now are better equipped to respond to disasters.

The Manatee County Department of Emergency Management recently sponsored a training course for new CERT members. Individuals from Lakewood Ranch, Heritage Harbour and University Park participated in the four-day training earlier this month.

The November training, which was hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team, was held at East Manatee Fire Rescue stations and meeting space donated by Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

As part of a national program by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, volunteer CERT teams provide search and rescue and emergency first aid in response to hurricanes and other disasters until trained emergency personnel arrive.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].