Note: the following release was provided by Paulding County Emergency Management Agency for publication. – KtE

DALLAS – Paulding County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is now recruiting volunteers to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to being ready for emergency situations. Paulding County EMA started its CERT Program in 2016 to assist with shelter management operations, search and rescue of missing persons, Skywarn storm spotter participation, and disaster recovery operations for incidents such as tornadoes or flooding.

CERT Volunteers also assist with safety, first aid, and suspicious activity recognition and reporting at planned community events.

The program has proven to be a very successful enhancement to the preparedness, response, and recovery goals of the Agency.  

A CERT Basic Training Course will be offered throughout the month of October for new members and will include training in the following areas:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety and Utility Controls
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Light Search and Rescue Operations
• CERT Organization
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism – Suspicious Activity Reporting

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Paulding County EMA CERT Program may contact EMA Deputy Director Eve Cogsdell ecogsdell@paulding.gov with any questions and to be provided with the application/registration forms.