Thornton-Waterville Valley Citizens Corps Council/
Community Emergency Response Team (T-WV CCC/CERT)

Formed in July 2003, the Thornton-Waterville Valley Citizens Corps Council is comprised of members who represent a cross-section of the two communities. Included are Town Officials, First Responders, Business Owners, local Schools, Faith Based Organizations, the Red Cross, and Private Citizens.  The T-WV CCC provides guidance and oversight for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a local volunteer team organized to assist First Responders in times of emergencies or provide additional manpower for special events and activities.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the President launched the USA Freedom Corps initiative to enable Americans to find ways to serve their communities.  Under this program, the Citizens Corps encourages individuals to volunteer their services to help communities prepare for, and respond to emergencies.  In New Hampshire, the program is managed through Volunteer NH, and a State level council provides guidance and oversight to the local councils.  Funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security and must be requested via a grant process by the local council.  To date, over $40,000 in Federal funds have been provided to the T-WV CCC in support of its activities.  The T-WV CCC meets bi-monthly to discuss activities and to coordinate with the communities to determine how it can best support their requirements.

The action arm of the Council is the CERT.  The T-WV CERT was activated in June 2004, after each member completed a 20-hour basic course of training in various fields necessary to support the fire departments, police departments, and emergency management/public safety functions.  Additional training required for CERT members to support other special requirements, such as emergency shelter operations, is also provided.  The training is both professional and extensive and is geared to allow the team to provide the best possible assistance to requesting departments.

Grant funding has been used to purchase kit bags for each CERT member.  These bags consist of backpacks that contain the basic supplies and equipment to allow personnel to operate in the field.  Grant monies were also used to procure two emergency response trailers that are fully stocked to support both evacuation shelter operations and all-season field operations.  Each community has one trailer located at their police or fire departments for quick activation and deployment. 

The T-WV CERT has been active in the community disaster preparedness outreach program, designed to provide Thornton citizens with information on what they can do to be better prepared when disasters may strike. The T-WV CCC/CERT has mailed out or delivered information packets to every property owner in both communities.  In addition, packets are readily available at the Thornton Town Hall.

The CCC has also provided the Thornton and Waterville Valley schools with an American Red Cross “Masters of Disaster” education kit.  These kits, geared to different age levels, focus on discussions about potential disasters and response measures. 

The concept of the CCC/CERT program is not to replace existing volunteer programs within the community, but to work in concert with them.  This program provides a means for citizens to volunteer their efforts to enhance emergency response capabilities.   CERT members do not perform primary fire fighting or police duties, but can conduct administrative or other support functions that would free up a First Responder to perform their primary duties on the scene.  The CERT will only respond when activated by designated emergency response personnel, and once on scene, will only perform those duties assigned by the Incident Commander or his/her designated representative.

The CERT would like to expand its roster and is looking for new members.  Current T-WV CCC membership is approximately 12 volunteers with a variety of backgrounds to include retired fire, police, military, nursing, and EMT personnel, as well as students from the high school.  There is no formal requirement for specific skill sets or age restrictions to become a member of the CERT.  Training will be provided.  Students under the age of 18 would need parental consent to participate in the program.  If you are interested in joining, please contact Steve Medaglia at 726-3850 (e-mail at geschaft@adelphia.net) or Terry Joyce at 726-3871 (e-mail at tjoyce@getglobal.net).    Other information on the T-WV CERT may be found on its web page:  http://thorntonwatervillevalleycert.com