The Newport News Division of Emergency Management is seeking volunteers to join its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Interested citizens must complete the CERT curriculum, which consists of classes in fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster preparedness, disaster psychology, CERT organization, and terrorism. CERT team members who would like to assist with Pet Shelter operations  may take an additional course to learn pet sheltering operations. If emergency shelters are activated during a disaster, these specialized CERT team members would be asked to help in the registration process at shelters and assist in monitoring the pet shelter until it is closed. Only cats and dogs can be accommodated in these pet-friendly shelters.

Anyone interested in joining this specialized CERT team should contact Dana Perry, CERT Coordinator and Emergency ManagementTechnician, at 269-2904 or by e-mail at dperry@nngov.com.

Enrollment for these nine classes is currently underway with the course to begin March 29, 2012.  The course is free and funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  All participants must pass a background check and be at least eighteen years old and with no pet allergies if you choose to join the CERT Pet Shelter OPS team.