Debbie Fiedler, an administrative analyst in the Mays Landing Business Office, is a volunteer member of the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.
"Your efforts ... inspired a great sense of pride," Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson recently wrote of Debbie's service to the community. CERT was activated during Hurricane Irene.
What is the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as Atlantic County CERT?
"An organized team trained to protect and save families and communities. It was a concept developed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department. They recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly, the LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would improve the ability of citizens to survive until emergency personnel could arrive. Thus, CERT teams were created."
Atlantic County CERT posed for this photo during a break from a training exercise.
What is your role with CERT?
"I'm what is known as a heavy lifter - a mover of supplies and equipment. I don't provide medical care."
What kinds of events do you work on with CERT?
"We assist FEMA with community awareness; participate in statewide drills; and hurricane awareness. Sometimes we check on residents after a natural disaster, such as the flooding event shown below."
"We've assisted the Salvation Army with setting up a tent for mobile feedings; and helped out at the flu clinics."
How much training is required?
"The CERT training consists of a minimum of 20 hours of training - but I have almost 300 hours, including drills. Classes are taught by emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical and law enforcement personnel from your community. I'm also certified as a trainer."
"During the recent Hurricane Irene, we opened two shelters with the Red Cross. One of the shelters (pictured above) was a medical needs shelter - the first in the state."
Why did you get involved?
"After my youngest child went to college, I no longer was involved in school activities. In 2005, I found the CERT program through the county Office of Emergency Preparedness. I figured it is a way to help my family and my community in an emergency. I like volunteering. There is a lot of camaraderie between good people. We all know each other's strengths and weaknesses and look out for each other."
What do you enjoy most about your job at the library?"The best part of my job is the day to day diversity. The business office is a busy place - which I like. I also enjoy the access to so many great books."
Thank you, Debbie.
