Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue River man held on murder charge ... Coast Guard calls off search for overboard Oregon man ... Wyden fields questions during Medford town hall meeting ... Rogue River man held on murder charge ... Coast Guard calls off search for overboard Oregon man ... Wyden fields questions during Medford town hall meeting ... OUR VIEW Our View: It's best to prepare for the worst Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Medford leaders are making a second try at establishing a Community Emergency Response Team. It's a worthy effort, and one that residents should support. Most of the time, police officers, firefighters and paramedics are more than capable of handling any emergency situation that may arise. But when a major disaster occurs — the wildfire that destroyed 157 homes in Weed last year, for instance — the immediate needs can overwhelm even the best-equipped departments. CERT teams are groups of local residents who volunteer for training sessions on how to help first responders when a major emergency strikes. The help is not highly technical, but it's the kind of assistance police, firefighters and ambulance crews may not have time to get to in the initial chaos that follows a major fire, flood or earthquake. CERT volunteers might knock on doors to tell neighbors what's happening and where they should go if they need to leave their homes. They can help residents shut off gas supplies and water lines if they've been damaged in a quake. They may administer basic first-aid such as splinting broken bones and treating burns. They may fight small fires. They may help police with crowd control, and may be called on to help with that during large community events. The city of Medford is holding training sessions Thursday and Friday evenings Jan. 15 and 16 and during the day Saturday, Jan. 17 and again on Jan. 22 and 23. The sessions are filling up fast, but additional classes will be offered in March and April. The city tried to start a CERT program a few years ago, but it didn't stick. This time, the city's CERT coordinator says he plans to make sure it continues, and he hopes to have a team in place and ready to help out during the Pear Blossom Festival in the spring. The fact that the training sessions, capped at 25 participants, already are nearly full is a good sign. To get involved, call coordinator Nicholas Petersen, 541-774-2090, or email [email protected]. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501