FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – When there is a disaster, first responders are usually first to rush to the scene.
But the first person to help you could be your next door neighbor.
For three days and for more than twenty hours people from across the Pee Dee gained skills in emergency preparedness as part of the Florence County (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team.
Florence County Emergency Preparedness Public Information Officer Andrew Golden says the purpose of the program is to train the community to respond within the community.
During training students learn about different types of disasters and how to prepare and respond.
“We have several different departments that are helping including Howe Springs Fire Departments here doing the fire session, Florence County EMS is here doing the medical and we’ll have the South Carolina Department of Mental Health will come in and do disaster psychology,” said Golden.
Among those taking the class includes Entran Mack. Mack says he was an EMT for 15 year so he will use his background and apply it to the program.
“It’s all about working together and helping one another. You know we got special services but they can’t do it all. They need help,” mentioned Mack.
Erin Chinchister is a nursing student who also signed up to participate in the program to help her community.
“All of us seem to have that volunteer experience. We’re all from different backgrounds so we all have a little bit of different knowledge that could really help in any given situation,” said Erin Chinchister.
The CERT is a program for people who want to learn more about helping themselves, their family and the community in the event of a disaster.
“This is the first class from here so what we’re hoping is that these individuals go out into their communities spread the word about what they’ve seen here and maybe then bring back this program,” explained Golden.
Andrew Golden says he hopes to plan another course in the future. He says if you would like to get involved you can contact the Florence County Emergency Management Office or follow them on Twitter/Facebook.
