Burlington County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Burlington County Animal Response Team (CART) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers share information and emergency prep tips during last year’s Prep Rally at the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library in Westampton.
September is Emergency Preparedness Month and Burlington County is holding a special event to help residents learn important skills that can help them and their families during a disaster or crisis.
The Burlington County Prep Rally will be held at the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library at 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is organized by the Burlington County Health Department, Burlington County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Burlington County Animal Response Team (CART) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). It will feature opportunities to learn about emergency preparations, plus hands on training and demonstrations of life-saving skills like CPR, Stop the Bleed and Narcan administration.
Attendees will also be able to learn what items to compile and keep in an all-hazards disaster preparedness kit.
The Burlington County Sheriff’s Office will also be present to distribute information about some of its safety programs, including the AngelSense locator program and the office’s Persons at Risk Registry.
The locator program uses GP-based trackers to track and locate vulnerable residents, including children with developmental disabilities and adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Currently 108 residents are enrolled in the program.
The Persons at Risk Registry is a voluntary, free program run by the Sheriff’s Office for residents with Alzheimer’s or other conditions that could impact their memory or cause them to become disoriented or have difficulties communicating if they become lost. Families provide a photo and information about the person that the Sheriff’s Office keeps and distributes to area law enforcement if the person is reported lost. All information is kept confidential and not used for any other purpose.
“Our office is committed to promoting public safety and we are proud to offer these services for Burlington County’s most vulnerable residents,” said Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis. “We’re excited to share information about them and the other programs and services we offer at the Prep Rally.”
In addition to the training and demonstrations, there will also be opportunities to learn about volunteer opportunities with the CERT, CART and MRC teams and other organizations during the Volunteer Center of Burlington County Inc. Volunteer Fair, which will coincide with the Prep Rally at the library.
CERT teams are comprised of volunteers trained to assist first responders, public safety and emergency management professionals during emergencies and other large events.
MRCs are both health care professionals and non-clinical community members who live and work in the county. They are trained to assist the Health Department and Office of Emergency Management during a health emergency or disaster.
CART volunteers receive special training to help manage temporary shelters for the pets or livestock of residents or farmers who may have to evacuate during a disaster or emergency.
“The volunteers of CERT, CART and MRC go above and beyond to assist our communities, neighbors and first responders when help is most needed,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell, the liaison to the Health Department. “All three teams are seeking new members, and the upcoming Prep Rally is a great place to learn more about them, their training and the services they perform.”
Residents interested in serving with the MRC team are asked to submit an online volunteer form found at https://njmrc.njlincs.net/.
Information about volunteering with CERT an CART is available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1608/Citizen-Corps.
