''This program is going to do wonders for the community.''Donald Dunlap spearheaded bringing the training to Irondale
W hen Hurricane Ivan blew into Irondale last September, the city's firefighters managed two shelters, in addition to handling medical calls and evacuations. Police officers guarded streets that had downed power lines and trees, along with patrolling their beats.
Should another hurricane or natural disaster hit the city, the two departments will be able to call a group of Irondale residents to help staff those shelters and guard those barricaded streets so police and firefighters can concentrate on more serious calls.
The members of Irondale's new CERT team, or Community Emergency Response Team, have been trained in handling non-life threatening situations in disasters. They are prepared to assist firefighters search for injured victims or bandage the walking wounded. They are prepared to put out small brush fires and turn off valves to natural gas lines.
''CERT members are now one of our resources to call in cases of emergency,'' said Fire Chief Randy Davis.
Last week, about 10 residents completed the eight-week CERT training.
''A lot of people don't realize that they can be a valuable asset to the police and fire departments,'' said resident Donald Dunlap, who spearheaded bringing the training to Irondale. ''This program is going to do wonders for the community.''
It was just after Hurricane Ivan that Dunlap approached Mayor Tommy Joe Alexander about the city needing volunteers that could assist police and fire employees.
Dunlap said Alexander gave him the go ahead to put such a group together. Dunlap eventually learned of the CERT training program sponsored by the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency.
The county's EMA provides the curriculum for CERT training, while Irondale's fire and police personnel trained class participants on many of the subjects such as terrorism, first aid and putting out fires. City Councilwoman Joan Ratchford, a registered nurse, helped in the training.
The county's EMA provides participants with a backpack of supplies necessary for handling
emergencies such as tools, a first aid manual, bandages, a hard hat and a green nylon vest that identifies them as a CERT worker.
Training began in Irondale in February with volunteers from neighborhoods throughout the city. Participants attended threehour training classes every Thursday. The two months of classroom training culminated in a mock disaster drill held last Saturday.
Ratchford said the current
CERT members will meet quarterly to keep their skills sharp and learn new skills such as storm watching. She and Dunlap are planning another eightweek training class to begin within the next three months for new participants.
Dunlap said anyone can sign up for the training since the program does not have age or physical restrictions. Residents interested in CERT can contact Irondale City Hall at 956-9200.
