"Is it safe?"

What is a CERT, you may ask! Community Emergency Response
Team! Matt Brisbois is the affable, effective Community
Preparedness Coordinator for the Newport Beach Fire Department.
Matt describes himself as a "Body Surfing Lifeguard" that got
"volunteered" for the CERT Program. Last night at the Sherman
Gardens Matt gave a great presentation..to mainly business
owners and interested citizens....all about "Disasters"! It
wasn't exactly out of the "Poseidon Adventure"...but scary
enough to get your attention.

The on-site CERT Volunteers that attended were all dedicated
and motivated. They take this stuff seriously and bring great
credibility and support to Matt and his program. Right now,
Matt is looking for 1000 good men and women who want to be
available in case of a City wide Emergency. The City of Newport
Beach finally put together a Emergency Management Plan that has
put Matt's program on the map. CERT Volunteers go through 30
hours of First Aid and Emergency Training before they are then
Certified. They get a Green Helmet, A Green Vest, A T-shirt
and more! They also have the opportunity to participate in the
Ham Radio back-up Emergency Program.

Matt's three hour presentation was fast paced, thorough and
brought up several interesting issues regarding Tsunami's, the
Earthquakes and Terrorists possibilities. Talking about the
"realities of disaster in Newport Beach" opens the eyes to
issues most of us would rather not consider. Camping out for
three days without food or water, electricity or gas could be
a problem. Being there to help your neighbors is the one
important issue...which means that being prepared means having
enough First Aid supplies, Portable Radios and food to make it
...if roads are impassible!

If you don't have time to become a Certified CERT participant,
you still may want to find out when Matt is giving another of
his presentations. 949.644.3381 will get you that info. You
can talk directly to Matt to get on-board!