On July 13, Wesleyan’s Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) welcomed 11 new members to the group. Formed in September 2009, Wesleyan’s C-CERT members are trained to assist first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site.
Pictured, back row, at left: Bill Ollayos, Andres Sarda, Erica Wright, Megan Conte, Smith Kidkarndee and Victor Diaz. Pictured front row, at left: Mary Emerling, Janet Desmarais, Sandy Durosier, Bobby Spignesi and Christine Daniels.
Dr. Smith Kidkarndee, clinical psychologist at CAPS, browses the array of equipment donated to each C-CERT member.Janet Desmarais, administrative assistant for the Physics Department, checks her backpack, which contains C-CERT tools and equipment. C-CERT members are equipped with a supply backpack, which includes a helmet, reflective vest, safety goggles, first-aid kit, emergency blanket, CPR kit, light sticks, gloves, flashlight, tape, tools, knives and more.Bill Nelligan, director of environmental services, taught the 2017 C-CERT course.C-CERT trainees work on a tower-building exercise to develop team-building skills.The new members completed 20 hours of training and join about 35 other C-CERT volunteers at Wesleyan. The training, which is supported by a grant from the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, includes sessions such as Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Controls, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue Operations, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism and Disaster Simulation. (Photos by Olivia Drake)
For more information or to register for upcoming an training session, contact Bill Nelligan or Joyce Walter.
Olivia Drake
James Sims
Editorial Staff
Ziba Kashef