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Communitv, Em- Resvonse, <br /> CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a well-trained and <br /> highly motivated group of volunteers available to assist the police and <br /> other emergency responders in the event of an emergency. CERT lessens <br /> the burden on first responders and provides valuable assistance to <br /> community members who might otherwise have to wait longer for <br /> services. <br /> Being ready and prepared at all times is what sets CERT members apart. This past year team <br /> member Brenda Welsch created a very informative guide for the team regarding CERT <br /> deployment readiness bags, preparedness ideas, and numerous other suggestions making it easier <br /> for team members to be ready to respond when summoned. <br /> This past year CERT partnered with the Lino Lakes Police Department's CERT for a training <br /> exercise. A realistic search and rescue scenario was crafted using open space in Lino Lakes. <br /> Five people were lost and injured as part of the scenario, and teams organized and deployed to <br /> find these parties. It was an excellent learning experience and provided a new set of skills for <br /> both teams. As CERT Coordinator Michelle <br /> Lakso stated: "Looking for a lost person in <br /> terrain such as woods or fields is like looking for , <br /> a needle in a haystack, if you overlook or <br /> disregard one small and unassuming area, that <br /> might just be where the person or the evidence is <br /> r <br /> located. It was a very challenging day." <br /> CERT members also had the opportunity <br /> to learn about the role of medical rj - <br /> helicopters in disasters and other events. z <br /> This year our CERT and the Lino Lakes <br /> Lino Lakes CERT members were part of j F <br /> a medical helicopter training where they <br /> had a chance to review the on ground <br /> issues of a helicopter landing and taking <br /> off as well as had the opportunity to talk <br /> to the pilots and paramedics and have a <br /> look inside. <br /> In addition to training, CERT assists <br /> police and fire in non-emergency <br /> situations and events as needed. This past year was the fourth year in a row CERT assisted the <br /> Lexington Fire Department on behalf of the Centennial Police Department along the Annual <br /> G'El?f nni414,-4r POW 19JORthmni 12014 ANNUAL REPORT <br />