On August 25th, three days before Hurricane Irene was scheduled to come through Wayland, the town began considering the need to open a shelter.
The Wayland Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was contacted. This volunteer group consists of about 20 residents who offer their time to help should the need arise. CERT is an organization, composed of trained volunteers that operates under the direction of the town’s Emergency Management Director (Police Chief Robert Irving) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The mission is to provide support to the police and fire departments should an event overwhelm local resources. The primary responsibility of CERT is to open and operate the town shelter. While many may have held the opinion that Massachusetts does not get tornados, earthquakes or hurricanes, this year’s weather has made these all too real.
While the need was not there this time, the town is ready to open a shelter at the Wayland Middle School that can accommodate several hundred residents and their pets, when the need arises. The Wayland Middle School has the space, as well as an emergency generator. The CERT team held a town-wide drill last fall where the shelter was opened; coincidentally, the simulated emergency was a hurricane hitting the area. Just as they would in a real emergency, sleeping cots were set up, the public who attended were registered in and out, regular weather updates were provided, there were events for kids, and first aid services.
Members meet several times throughout the year for training and to discuss and improve ways to respond. Recent events included staffing the Pelham Island bus service during recent flooding, CPR and First Aid training, presentations by local meteorologist Bruce Schwoegler, and a presentation by security staff at Logan Airport. CERT members have also assisted Concord’s CERT group when they were overwhelmed by requests for flu shots.
All residents are invited to join the CERT team and no special skills are needed, as training will be provided. In the event a shelter were opened, there is a need for people who will sign in shelter guests, cook food, help with communication, help care for animals, provide basic first aid/medical, and general coordination.
Most of CERT’s members have been through the 24-hour FEMA mandated training, and the group is seeking additional volunteers. Individuals with special skills, such as operating a commercial kitchen or ham radio operators are especially needed. If interested in further information or volunteering, please email Joe Gordon, the group’s coordinator (or call 617-630-0010).
— Submitted by Judy Bennett
