FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) – Florence County Emergency Management held the second Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
During emergencies CERT volunteers are trained to respond with basic first aid and rescue skills during the three day workshop.
Nat Versluis is a first time CERT member. The training made him feel more comfortable to help his community, especially after Hurricane Matthew.
Versluis explained, “I helped a few people who were in a rough spot during the Hurricane. Knowing that I will be in a position where I know more of what I am doing to help people. It is a good feeling.”
Nine people joined the Florence County CERT team earlier year during the first training session in June. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) officials say CERT volunteers were a big help during Hurricane Matthew.
Theresa Robinson was one of those disaster volunteers. She answered calls and questions about shelters before and during the storm.
Robinson said, “It felt good being able to assist those people. In an event like that they are scared they don’t know what to do. That was their life line of how to get help.”
Sunday nine new volunteers trained to learn those same skills.
Andrew Golden, Florence County Public Information Officer said, “They are here volunteering their time to help us… help other people. That’s our job to help others during an emergency. They are helping us do that.”
CERT volunteers are encouraged to join the team in Florence County, to help assist Florence County Emergency Management.
The CERT team meets once a month to discuss upcoming projects. The next project includes assist Florence County Emergency Management during the Pecan Festival on November 5th.
