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Current CERT News

 The County CERT teams had a training day on August 28th, at the BC Fairgrounds. The teams practice vehicle operations with the 4 wheeler on an obstacle course and also did a Search and Rescue drill that included triage and radio communications practice also. The group finished the day with a potluck picnic!

Brown County CERT Team News: 

Team 1 news: 

Team #1 is back to having monthly meeting after taking the summer off from the monthly meeting. 

 Monthly meeting was the only thing Team #1 took off for the summer.  During the last few months team members have been involved in the following activities.

                         National Night Out

                        The Airport Disaster Drill

                        NRA Sport Fest

                        Care Flight Training

                        The Point of Dispensing drill

                        Visited the National Weather Service and received training there

                        Review Several Chapters in the CERT Manual

                        Reviewed equipment location and uses

                        Learned how to set up the command trailer

                        Attended a Search and Rescue class

                        Attended ICS training

                        Attended training the trainer class in Pierre

The Groton Elevator Fire

 At our September meeting we put together a list of things that we will be training on over the next several months.  We have a full slate of things to accomplish.

 I am sure that there are those of you who would like to receive CERT Training, but do not feel like coming alone.  You do not have to come alone.  CERT can be a family project.  Team #1 has four husband and wife members, and two team members that will be married this fall for a total of five families.

I hope everyone had a great summer and the snow will be here before you know it.

Team 2 news: 
 Team 2 is made up members from the Aberdeen and Hecla area. Some of the members of the team are also Ham Radio operators. Past activities included participation by team members in some of the group training including, search and rescue, vehicle orientation, ICS 100, Fire ground training, the Ice Dive-Winter weather care. The Ham Radio operators also have participated in the NWS Sky-warn and are planning on do so again this spring and summer and will be participating in the Sky-warn classes in April 2009. Sky-warn is a volunteer spotter program to assist the National Weather Service and Emergency Management in severe weather, by providing additional eyes in the field. The next team meeting for Team 2 will be Thursday February 26, 2009 -- 6:30 at the Blue Building. We will regroup and plan our meetings for the next 6 months.

Team 3 news:  
Team 3 has added 3 new members! Thank you for joining our team. I know each one of you will be a great addition. We had out last meeting on November 2nd and talked about our most recent call outs. We are getting very good turn  outs which is being noticied by the public. It is giving us a very good name out there. Way to go  everyone! We discussed the new equipment that we have added to the CERT trailer. Team 3 your goal for the next month is to add these three  thing to your 72 hour kit: Radio w/batteries, Flashlight w/batteries, and water (1 gal per person per day).  See you at hte Christmas Party!

Team 4 news: 

We used the ICS-100 class as our November team meeting.  It is always of value to go through this class so we better understand the chain of command on CERT call outs.

We also had our December team meeting in November to accommodate the ordering of new rain gear.  At this meeting we learned how to use MRE meals.  It gives a person new insights into what our troops in the mid-east are going through. It also helped to prepare us for a long term call out were we may not have food readily available.

Team 4 will be the host for the Fire Safety class that will be held on the 12^th of January.  More details to follow on the fire safety training as to exact time and location.

Team 5 news: 

Team 5 has been involved in the following activities this summer.  Local CERT appreciation picnic, CERT call out for a lost child, National Night Out, equipment familiarization with the Aberdeen Rural Fire Dept., Sky-warn spotter classes.  We plan to resume monthly meetings this fall and review our training manual, help with equipment maintenance of CERT equipment, and continue to be trained through various classes.

 Testimonial by Gretchen Mayer

CERT Testimonial by Becky Burdick