It was the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) getting ready for the Hurricane season. CERT members practiced disaster preparedness, light search and rescue and other skills that will help the community during any potential disasters, such as a hurricane or terrorist attack.

Training sessions are scheduled if there is enough demand. So far this year six sessions have been held. It's expected more will be held through the end of the year.

CERT was formed nationally in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. It was felt there was a need for community groups to help bolster relief provided by the emergency management systems like fire and police departments.

During a disaster, before relief arrives, a community has to fend for itself. The need to have members in a community trained in professional disaster preparedness became important.

The CERT group in New Tampa trained its first class in July 2002 and then expanded to the Greater Tampa Community Emergency Response Team. So far it has trained 205 members and hopes to have 145 more members by the end of 2005.

Last year several members of the CERT teams helped out in Wauchula following the string of hurricanes that hit the state. They provided food, water, ice and other items.

``Although we did not take part in actual search and rescue, CERT teams were praised for their efforts,'' said Coordinator Bonnie Goodwin.

CERT teams are funded by grants from FEMA. The Greater Tampa CERT group will receive $18,000 this year to cover expenses from July 1 to Sept. 15, 2006.

Local volunteers are trained by local emergency personnel. Captain Emilio F. Salabarria of Tampa Fire & Rescue got involved as a CERT instructor two years ago.

``It was a way to help the community and to reach those who wanted to get involved,'' said Salabarria. ``It was to help the community help us and know how to help us.''

The class teaches citizen volunteers the basics of fire rescue and control, emergency preparedness, emergency medical aid, light search and rescue and disaster psychology. Classes for businesses that want its employees trained in disaster preparedness are also held by CERT.

For information on future classes, contact Bette McCullough at (813) 224-8920 or email bettemac@tampabay.rr.com.

For more information go to:

http://www.greatertampacert.com/

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/ and

http://www.floridadisaster.org/director_of fice/citizen_corps/CERT.htm.