Nine times out of ten the first to assist a disaster victim is a friend, neighbor or even another victim. That is why Stearns and Benton Counties have Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The teams are groups of citizens who are trained and prepared to assist when needed. The training empowers citizens to help their families, neighborhoods and communities in times of disasters and emergencies.

Stearns and Benton Counties now need new volunteers who would be willing to participate in the program. The training includes an 8-course session and a 20-hour training course teaching members the basics of disaster response.

Training will begin Tuesday evenings in March and will continue through April at the Waite Park Police Department from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. 

The CERT program is administered by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.  For more information and to enroll in the program call Angie Trulson at 320-255-7265.