MANALAPAN — In times of emergency, a crucial source of support in Manalapan is provided by the Manalapan Medical Reserve Corps-Community Emergency Response Team (MRC-CERT).
The team added 31 of its volunteers to its CERT trained roster this spring. The CERT members are trained in disaster preparedness, fire safety, search and rescue, and first aid in order to enhance emergency preparedness, according to a press release from the township.
From February to May, these volunteers completed 20 hours of training organized by the Manalapan Health Department, ending with their graduation and status as a Manalapan CERT volunteer.
Situations in which the MRC-CERT volunteers may be called upon include largescale vaccination, large-scale antibiotic distribution, and assisting with searches for missing persons.
This spring’s graduation on May 26 marked the seventh Manalapan CERT class, which with 31 members ties the 2004 graduating class as the biggest class ever.
The graduates of the seventh CERT class are 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, and Barbara Toscano.
Volunteers for the CERT program must be Manalapan residents of 18 years of age or older. Interested persons may contact the Manalapan Health Department at 732-446- 8345 or at [email protected].