Westport-Weston CERT

On Saturday, September 23, the Westport Library hosted a Volunteer Fair from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Over thirty organizations were represented. WestportWeston CERT was represented by Mike Vincelli, Molly Alger and David Kinyon. Handouts were available explaining the mission and activities of Westport-Weston
CERT. Interested people were encouraged to sign up for the next training when it is announced. In addition to providing information to many interested people, several synergistic connections were made with other organizations represented.

We were very pleased with the great turnout for our CERT Picnic at the end of August. It was enjoyable to reconnect with our CERT members and the Town, Fire and Police officials who
joined us.

Perfect weather for a great parade. Westport-Weston CERT honored America’s military yesterday, marching in Westport's Memorial Day parade. Right behind us was Grand Marshall and WW2 Paratrooper Ben Pepper.

This was our first march since COVID. After COVID hit, we were activated numerous times, helping oversee the distribution of 20,000 face masks and assisting in multiple COVID vaccine clinics. Several of us even became volunteer contact tracers after receiving our certification from Johns Hopkins University.

We are thankful for the huge sacrifice that our armed forces have made for us over the years and are forever in their debt.

Nine new Westport-Weston Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers received their Basic Training certificates and were sworn in by Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Michael Kronick at a ceremony at the Westport Library. First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas welcomed and thank them for their commitment to the community.

Westport-Weston CERT Welcomes Nine New Members One of your neighbors posted in Politics & Government. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)

Westport-Weston CERT Announces Basic Training Program for 2023 One of your neighbors posted in Neighbor News. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)

Westport CERT members Lourdes and Sergio Roque assisted Stamford CERT at the Stamford Balloon Parade on November 20th. They were assigned to a traffic detail responsible for pedestrian safety.

It was a cold and windy day (wind chill in the low 20's). They said they were well prepared, dressed in multiple layers, and were glad to be able to assist. The parade was estimated to have had 125,000 attendees.

Westport-Weston CERT assisted at a clinic yesterday where approximately 700 children between the ages of 5-11 received their 1st Pfizer dose. The clinic, held at the Staples High School Fieldhouse, was overseen by Dr. David Krol and the Connecticut Children’s Hospital.

CERT members greeted the parents and children, took temperatures and asked COVID-related questions before parents and children entered the building. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal visited and spoke to many of the volunteers.

The clinic was a big success and we are looking forward to assisting when the 2nd Pfizer dose is administered.

Westport CERT provided support services at a COVID Moderna vaccination clinic for teachers from Westport, Weston and Easton held at Staples High School on Wednesday, March 3. Eight volunteers worked a four hour shift outside the clinic assisting with traffic control, providing guidance to those who were entering and answering questions.

CERT BASIC TRAINING via ZOOM - Starting October 20, 2020.
Learn disaster psychology, fire control, traffic control, search and rescue, shelter operations, first aid, personal preparedness and more.

Assist Westport and Weston’s First Responders and your neighbors and town residents.

The virtual training is offered twice each week starting on October 20th. Tuesday classes are offered again on Saturday and Thursday classes are offered again on Sunday. Once the units are completed, we will be scheduling the hands-on portion of the training as soon as it is safe to do so. If interested, please email Mike Vincelli at [email protected].

September is National Preparedness Month. There is much that a business leader can do to prepare his or her organization for the most likely hazards. The Ready Business program helps business leaders make a preparedness plan to get ready for these hazards. Go to https://www.ready.gov/business

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Go to https://www.ready.gov/kit

Remembering those we lost that day and the heroes who responded.

Nineteen years ago today our world changed forever. Today we remember the families of the fallen, the first responders, and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice defending our people.