Notes from CERT Meeting of September 10, 2002


Thanks to the 17 members who attended our meeting.

Hazardous Material Presentation

Nick Castelli, Volusia County Fire Rescue HazMat Coordinator, spoke to us about Hazardous Materials. (This was a discussion to lead into a class on HazMat, which we may hold in January if enough are interested). He covered evacuation routes, pre-planning and knowing our hazardous material areas such as av gas storage, water treatment plant, an most hangars and garages containing such items as paints, resins, pest control chemicals, chlorine bleach, propane tanks, swimming pool chemicals, standard home cleaning products, and weaponry. He stressed the need to know what's in our home, hangars, and garages in the event of a fire. This information could save a fire fighter's life.

The discussion reminded the group that there are things such as emergency response plans for fuel or chlorine spills may not be in place here in SC. CERT needs to make sure that the "To-Do" list includes checking on HazMat plans.

First Aid Supplies

Geri Hudak brought the team up to date on all of the medical supplies we received from Capt. John Gillespie and Chief Gaines from Volusia County Fire Rescue Services. We have enough supplies for Geri to make up 3 large kits that will be stored in strategic places such as the front and back gates and the POA hangar. The group decided it didn't make sense to keep the supplies all in one area in the event we weren't able to get to the POA hangar in a disaster. With all of these new supplies, our backpacks should be used for the personal things we want with us in the event of a disaster vs. each person purchasing medical supplies. Geri will go over in more detail at a future meeting as to what we have and where the cases will be kept.

Volusia County Mock Disaster Planned

Nick Castelli mentioned that the Volusia County Fire and Rescue Training Center on International Speedway would be holding a Mock Disaster in early November. They will need volunteers to be victims, so keep an eye on e-mail and Channel 2, as that time gets closer. Four of us participated in the drill that was held early this year that had rescue helicopters, fire engines, ambulances, and swat teams responding to a simulated bus accident, a car fire, a terrorist attack and a propane gas tank fire all happening at the same time. It was quite a learning experience for us.

CERT Training Class Scheduled

A new CERT Training class will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 starting October 8th and continuing on the 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th and 29th. This schedule allows our neighbors who have expressed an interest in CERT, but can't make daytime classes, to get the training. Please encourage your neighbors to get involved. I'm the contact, so they can call me at 304-6128.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8th at 2 PM in the POA conference room at 212 Cessna Blvd.