Community Corner
VIDEO: Manalapan MRC-CERT Graduation
Manalapan MRC-CERT, Medical Reserve Corp - Community Emergency Response Team, graduated its largest class since the program began in 2003.
This video features highlights and commentary from the May 26 graduation of 31 new Manalapan MRC-CERT team members. The ceremony took place at Wemrock Brook School at 7 p.m.
CERT, which stands for Community Emergency Response Team, is a trained, volunteer citizens corp. The organization, part of the MRC, Medical Reserve Corp, which was founded in 2002 after the events of September 11, serves as a team of local residents who would respond to an event when professional responders are not immediately available.
The new recruits were recognized for their completion of a 20-hour FEMA training course. According to the CERT website, the course trains the volunteers “in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.”
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During the ceremony, the chief coordinator of MRC-CERT, Kim Silverstein, and Manalapan’s Health Officer Dave Richardson were recognized for their dedication to public health and safety by State Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator Sally Flanagan.
Among the many volunteers recognized for their contributions were Lieutenant Jeff Morrell of the Manalapan Township Police Department, Assistant CERT coordinator Patrick Rutherford, the Teen CERT coordinator, Steve Levine, Manalapan Township Committeeman Don Holland and his wife, Wanda, who both completed the training course, and recently elected Board of Education Member Dotty Porcaro, who has been involved in the program for many years.
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Mayor Andrew Lucas also attended the event to commend the program coordinators and thank the volunteers for their service.
Below is the full list of the graduates:
Karen Lee Bava
Gary Chasen
Louis Cipriano
Barbara Dixey
Martha Eisner
Lisa Fischer
George Hallas
Don Holland
Wanda Holland
Phyllis Hurley
Judy Kushner
Linda Lauria
Rich Lauria
Anthony Luongo
Scott Meyers
Anthony Musich
Lou Nemes
Judy Olesh
Andres Perez
Jacqelin Sanchez-Perez
Shelley Raskin
Frankie Sanchez
Pat Schaffer
Linda Schneider
Nelson Smock
Joseph Spendley
Michael Thompson
Nettie Thompson
Ryan Thompson
Alec Thompson
Barbara Toscano
After the presentation of certificates, the CERT team, family, and friends enjoyed refreshments donated by many of Manalapan's local vendors.
According to Silverstein, the organization is always looking for new recruits. Future volunteers are encouraged to contact the Manalapan Health Department at (732) 446-8345. To learn more about the CERT program, visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/.
