Volunteers now are being sought to form a community emergency response team — or CERT — that would support response efforts after an emergency or natural disaster.
Update: Officials have closed the application process as of January 2014.
Working with the Police, Fire, Public Works and Public Health departments, Oak Park’s CERT will provide not only required assistance, but the leadership and organization ability that can help fill the gap between the number of people who need emergency assistance and the resources available within the community and their own neighborhoods.
CERT members will learn basic firefighting, search and rescue, communications, traffic control and other emergency response skills.
Initial training will be conducted the evenings of Jan. 18, 25 and 26. Prior experience is not required. For more information, call 708.358.5488 or email msnow@oak-park.us.