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April 11, 2008 For more information, contact: Eight Dent County Volunteers Receive Training in Salem SALEM—Eight Dent County volunteers invested some 20 hours each to better prepare themselves to help others during emergencies and now qualify as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers. The eight—Lindee Sprong, Charles Smith, Carolyn Boyle, Mark Smith, Deb Smith, Ed Barton, Joanne Barton and Rebecca Burke, all of Salem—took advantage of a three-day course offered March 28-29 in Salem. Certified CERT instructor Terry Bruno taught the course. The class was held March 28-31 at the Dent County Fire Protection District Firehouse #2 in Salem. “We applaud the efforts of these eight individuals and the instructor and thank them for giving of their time to benefit others in the future,” said Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC’s environmental programs manager. “Not everyone is willing and able to do what these folks have done, and we appreciate their willingness to get trained and get involved.” The class was sponsored by Meramec Regional Planning Commission in partnership with the Dent County Emergency Management Office and the Dent County Fire Protection District. Snodgrass added that a local community should be prepared to take care of itself for the first 72-hours of a disaster. That’s about how long it takes for state and federal resources to be mobilized. “CERT teams ensure that trained volunteers are available to fill that void and provide the best assistance and care possible when disaster strikes,” she added. MRPC is planning additional CERT trainings around the region. For more information, contact Tammy Snodgrass at tsnodgrass at meramecregion.org or Amy McMillen at amcmillen at meramecregion.org or by phone at 573-265-2993. |