Lapeer Organizing Civilian Emergency Teams
LAPEER COUNTY
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Sunday, August 20, 2006
By James L. Smith
jmsmith@flintjournal.com 810.766.6365

LAPEER - If disaster ever strikes here, planners intend to be ready.

A new program to train regional emergency preparedness teams - known as Citizens Emergency Response Teams - will begin in earnest around October.

County emergency management officials are urging residents to volunteer to take part in the training.

About 30 people already have said they want to be involved.

The program will train people across the county to put together emergency kits and learn CPR, first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to work as a team and how to deal with blood-borne pathogens and universal precautions.

Part of the initial 24-hour training program will cover search-and-rescue work, including search grids; preparing 72-hour emergency kits; and doing traffic control, said Mary Stikeleather, the county's emergency management director.

From the first groups will come people to train others in local communities, so the teams could be activated in times of disaster to help locally or outside the area, Stikeleather said.

Eventually, members of the CERT groups will learn how to quickly erect emergency shelters.

Although people think of Lapeer County as a quiet, rural community, it can be hit by floods and tornadoes, and its heavy train and truck traffic pose a risk of human-caused disasters as well, Stikeleather said.

The program's launch is planned for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 30 on the lawn of the Lapeer County Courthouse. The event will give basic information on preparing for emergencies and building home emergency kits. Games and giveaways will be featured.

Low-income residents can register for a free starter emergency readiness kit by calling the county Office of Emergency Management at (810) 667-0242.

The event also will provide tips for dealing with pets during emergencies and helping people with special needs.

A more extensive program for dealing with pets and disaster is set for Oct. 21, but details are still being developed, Stikeleather said.

Help for the helpers

Donations are being sought for a Lapeer County program to provide life-saving information and emergency kits to county residents. Individuals who want to make a donation may call the county Office of Emergency Management at (810) 667-0242. Donations are requested by Sept. 11.





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