Fall Schedule Released for CERT Training

The Brookline Police Department is offering a specialized 10-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays, starting September 16 and ending December 9 with a graduation ceremony.

Classes are held at the Brookline Emergency Operations Center at 870 Hammond St and the Brookline Police Headquarters at 350 Washington Street.

“Currently, there are over 130 certified CERT members and we hope to add an additional 25 through this training,” Officer Hatchett said.

The CERT training program includes: CPR/AED and first aid, basic fire suppression, personal emergency preparedness, mass care, shelter operations, directing traffic and search and rescue. Please be advised that some parts of the training are physically demanding like holding and operating a fire extinguisher. Attendance of at least eight classes is mandatory for certification.

Regular continuing education courses are offered throughout the year in partnership with the Brookline Medical Reserve Corps on all kinds of topics including amateur radio operations, NIMS/ICS, operating flu clinics, handling stress during emergencies and dealing with animals in emergencies. The class also offers field trips, drills and meetings.

CERT was designed to provide the skills and training for volunteers to assist the town’s emergency workers during a major crisis like the events at the Boston Marathon, natural and man made disasters, electrical outages, missing person searches, severe weather and any other situation which requires a major response.

If you are interested in participating in the Brookline CERT Training Program, please request an application via email at chatchett@brooklinema.gov and return it by September 6 Please be aware that space for this class is limited. There will be other training courses early next year.

Please feel free to contact the CERT Program Coordinators Officer Casey Hatchett and Detective Mike Raskin at (617) 730-2734 with any questions.