Westshore CERT activated for missing person

The morning of Wednesday, April 11, WESTCOM dispatch received a call for an emotionally distressed missing person in a neighborhood adjacent to many acres of wooded, rough terrain and fields. Due to the near freezing temperatures and periods of rain overnight and into that morning, time was of the essence to locate this individual quickly to avoid hypothermia and other exposure-related injuries.  

In order to meet this need, Interim Westlake Fire Chief Hughes activated the Westshore Regional Community Emergency Response Team (WSC). This unit is comprised of Westshore citizens trained in emergency preparedness and response to provide an extension of emergency services when needs outweigh resources. A fast and effective wide area search requires a large number of trained individuals. 

Within a half hour of activation, 25 WSC members had arrived at the staging area. Within an hour of activation, over 50 members had committed to respond for the search. As both professional responders and WSC members checked in and began organizing, word was received that the individual had been found, transported by rescue squad for medical care, and was then admitted for observation. This activation of local emergency response teams should provide confidence that our safety forces, with a little help from trained volunteers, are ready to respond to any type of emergency, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. 

CERT programs provide free emergency preparedness and response training to citizens. Graduates who are over 18 and pass a background check are eligible for team membership. For additional information on the CERT program contact coordinator Tricia Granfors, granforst@north-olmsted.com, 440-716-4135, or visit the website, www.westshorecert.org.

Tricia Granfors

The Westshore Regional CERT (WSC) is a (as of April 2012) 250 member nonprofit volunteer team under the Westshore Council of Governments.

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Volume 4, Issue 9, Posted 10:34 AM, 05.01.2012