The Goffstown Edge

Goffstown CERT Receives Presidential Award

The Goffstown CERT Program was recently awarded the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD for the fourth consecutive year.  Established in 2003, the award is a national honor offered annually in recognition of exemplary citizenship through volunteer service.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is one of the partner programs of the Goffstown Citizens Corps and its mission is to educate people about disaster preparedness and train them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Goffstown CERT has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 75 volunteers performed approximately 4,000 hours of community service last year on behalf of the CERT organization. Using the national average of approximately $22 per volunteer service hour, that comes to nearly $88,000 of services to the community.

Goffstown CERT Director Susan Jutras and members of CERT attended the April 24th Selectmen’s Meeting to present the award to the Selectmen for display at the Town Hall. Chairman David Pierce read the accompanying letter from the White House into the record.

For more information about volunteering for Goffstown CERT call 497-4858 or visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or e-mail goffstowncert@hotmail.com

For more information about Goffstown Citizens Corps, visit their website at www.citizencorps.gov/

Teen CERT Training Program

Looking for Teens to Participate in a Teen CERT Training Pilot Program

Should a disaster strike their community, neighborhood or school, a group of Goffstown Area High School students will be more prepared to help, once they complete the Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Teen CERT is a pilot program that mirrors the CERT program developed for adult citizens who want to be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Similar to CERT, Teen CERT educates and trains participants in preparing for disasters that impact their area learning a range of disaster response skills, including fire suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations and animal response. This CERT training requires that the students participate in a 20-hour training program to become certified by the NH Department of Safety. This training will benefit all students but especially those who are considering a career path in emergency services as well at the military. Colleges throughout the country also have Campus CERT Teams. This training can be carried over to these programs as well. This is a nationally known program and also looks great on college applications, especially when applying for college grants.
Guest speakers/trainers include Lt. Mark Lemay from the Goffstown Fire Department, Officer Ryan Buker from the Goffstown Police Department school resource officer, Dr. Matt Lewis a Goffstown Veterinarian as well as a Goffstown CERT member and Cheryl Paquette an EMT and also a Goffstown CERT member.
“I am very honored to be part of the first high school group to be trained in the state  to go through the course knowing that these students could step up to this challenge. They will be ready to help themselves and others in case of an emergency,” said Susan Jutras director of the adult Goffstown CERT and a specialty trainer with the NH Department of Safety who coordinated this program.
Once fully trained the student will receive a CERT backpack complete with hard hat, safety vest, latex gloves, first aid kit, dust mask, flashlight, safety goggles, emergency blanket, and light stick which will be supplied by FEMA and Volunteer NH.
The four week training sessions will be offered on the following four Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Complementary lunches will be provided: March 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2012. Registration will be open until February 19th. This is on a first come first serve training for the first 20 to register for teens between the ages of 14 and 17. For questions or to register for the FREE Teen CERT training contact Susan Jutras through the Goffstown Police Department at 497-4858 or e-mail goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Goffstown CERT Cited for Service by Volunteer NH

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team was recognized for their service by Volunteer NH on Tuesday, November 8th at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord.   The Volunteer Service Awards are given annually in recognition of volunteers and supporters of volunteer programs.

Governor Lynch greeted the attendees and Tiffany Eddy of WMUR announced the award recipients citing,  (The) “Goffstown Community Emergency Response team (CERT) has 72 volunteers trained in basic emergency response.  This team is always ready to support their neighbors and communities and is willing to go the extra mile to help in times of emergency”.  

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is one of the volunteer programs administered by Volunteer NH and its mission is to educate people about disaster preparedness and train them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is administered nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Goffstown CERT has a long history of volunteer service, and now has more than 75 volunteers performing community service each year on behalf of the CERT organization.
For more information about volunteering for Goffstown CERT call 497-4858 or visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or e-mail goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Goffstown CERT can also be found on Facebook.

Goffstown CERT Cleans Up

Ten members of the Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) came out Saturday, October 8th and removed trash along their adopted stretch of Tibbetts Hill Road.
The team met near the Mountain View Middle School and cleaned both sides of Tibbetts Hill Road up to Plimpton Road, collecting a total 21 bags of roadside trash.  Starting at 9am, the ten-member CERT group had finished by 10:30am. By dividing into four 2-to-3 member teams and cleaning both sides of the road at the same time working from both ends and meeting at the mid-point of their section of road, the team was able to clean nearly 1.5 miles of road in an hour and a half.
For additional information on Goffstown CERT, the training, or other civic-minded events in which CERT participates, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held in the fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com.  Goffstown CERT can now also be found on Facebook.

Photos:
First: Sean Graham, John Bloomberg, and Gary Chapdelaine tie up a bag of trash.
Second: Cristal Vandecar and Karen Charte help beautify Goffstown.

Goffstown CERT Makes Door-to-Door Flood Notifications

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was called out Saturday and Sunday to make door-to-door flood notifications during Hurricane Irene. 

The notifications were to residents in Goffstown’s flood zones due to flood warnings issued for the Piscataquog River by the National Weather Service.  Because of these warnings, Goffstown Emergency Management was recommending that residents consider self-evacuating.  The notifications also provided information on available shelters and contact information for the Goffstown Emergency Operations Center.

The basic training course for CERT takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. The basic training course covers fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology as well as many other facets of emergency preparedness.

Upon completion of the basic training, graduates are encouraged, but not obligated, to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects such as this one that support their community’s disaster preparedness efforts. The CERT program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

For additional information on Goffstown CERT, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held in the fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Photos:
First: CERT members check-in for Hurricane Irene Duty.
Second: CERT members make door-to-door flood notifications

Goffstown CERT Host Bed Bug Control & Prevention Class

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted a bed bug control and prevention training class at the Goffstown Odd Fellows Hall on Thursday, August 18th from  6:30 to 8:30pm. Ms Sherrie Juris from Atlantic Pest Solutions instructed the class.

The class covered how to recognize the signs that indicate the presence of the pests, how to reduce your exposure when traveling, and other ways in which to reduce exposure.  Bed bugs travel surprisingly well and are quite comfortable stowing away in luggage and even clothing.  Once thought to be a pest of the past, these legendary pests have been making an unwelcome return in hotels, homes, schools, and many other types of residences.

Knowing where to look for bed bugs and how to perform a bed bug check when traveling are keys to prevention.  Ms Juris conducted another similar class in July on tick and mosquito control and disease.
Although this particular class is not a part of CERT basic training, the CERT basic training course takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. The basic training course covers fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology as well as many other facets of emergency preparedness.

Upon completion of the basic training, graduates are encouraged, but not obligated, to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects that support their community’s disaster preparedness efforts. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

For additional information on Goffstown CERT, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held next fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com

CERT Training Officer Gary Chapdelaine introduces Ms Sherrie Juris to start the class.

Goffstown CERT Hosts Tick and Mosquito Disease Control Prevention Class

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted a tick and mosquito disease control prevention training class at the Goffstown Parks and Rec Center on Monday, July 18th from  6:30 to 8:30pm. Ms Sherrie Juris from Atlantic Pest Solutions instructed the class.
The class covered the different diseases carried by ticks and mosquitos, how to recognize the symptoms, how to remove ticks, report bite incidents, repellent methods, and ways in which to reduce exposure.  In 2008, NH ranked 1st in reports of Lyme Disease and ranked 3rd in both 2007 and 2009.  Ms Juris is scheduled to conduct another similar class in August.
Although this particular class is not a part of CERT basic training, the CERT basic training course takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. The basic training course covers fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology as well as many other facets of emergency preparedness.
Upon completion of the basic training, graduates are encouraged, but not obligated, to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects that support their community’s disaster preparedness efforts. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

For additional information on Goffstown CERT, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held next fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com

CERT Training Officer Gary Chapdelaine introduces Ms Sherrie Juris to start the class.

Goffstown CERT Conducts Fire Safety Class

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted a fire safety training class as part of its Basic Training at the Goffstown Fire Dept Church Street Station on Tuesday, May 10th from  6 to 8pm . Members from both the Goffstown and New Boston CERT Teams participated. Lt Mark Lemay of the Goffstown Fire Department instructed the class.

These CERTmembers are now trained to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. The CERT basic training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. The course covers fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology as well as many other facets of emergency preparedness.
Upon completion of the training, graduates are encouraged to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects that support their community’s disaster preparedness efforts. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

For additional information on Goffstown CERT, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held next fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Susan Jutras Chosen as Bellwether Community Champion

Goffstown resident Susan Jutras was recognized by Bellwether Credit Union as a Community Champion on Saturday as she threw out the first pitch at Fisher Cats Stadium.  The Bellwether Community Champion award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to our community.  Jutras is the Director of Goffstown CERT, and has organized CERT Basic Training courses that graduated 132 members in 11 classes since the program began in 2002.  She has also led the CERT Team as they responded to a dozen actual emergencies in the Goffstown area.  Bellwether Community Credit Union, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and their fans will salute the exemplary efforts of these citizens during an on field pre-game presentation during select home games.  All Champions will enjoy VIP treatment at their recognition game, including parking, game tickets, a stadium tour and more.  Nominations for the Bellwether Community Champion program are being accepted through August 1st and forms can be downloaded at bccu.org or nhfishercats.com.  In addition, nomination forms are available at any Bellwether Community Credit Union branch. Winners will be contacted throughout the season.

 

Newest CERT Graduation

The Goffstown Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) held its Basic Training Graduation for 16 graduates and their guests at the Goffstown High School Building on Tuesday, March 29th. These individuals attended a training program that will prepare them to help themselves, their family, their neighborhoods, or work place in an event of a disaster.

These graduates are now trained to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. The training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. The course covers fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology as well as many other facets of emergency preparedness.

Upon completion of the training, graduates are encouraged to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects that support their communityís disaster preparedness efforts. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

Guest speakers included Chief Patrick Sullivan from the Goffstown Police Department, Dominick DiNatale, Volunteer NH/Citizen Corps Director, Chief  Chris Krajenka  from the New Boston Police Department and Bill Thomson New Boston CERT Director.

For additional information on Goffstown CERT, please visit our website at www.goffstowncert.org or to sign up for the next class being held next fall contact Susan Jutras, CERT Director at 497-4858 or email her at goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Photo From left to right:

Front: Raymond Champagne, Pam Lavoie, Kevin St.John, Richard Sedelnick, Tamara McShea, Melissa Therrien, Susan Carr and John Poulette

Back Row: Susan Jutras Goffstown CERT Director, Matthew Lewis, Amy Parrish, Victor Parrish, Chief Chris Krajenka New Boston PD, George Taylor, Chief Pat Sullivan Goffstown PD, Richard Therrien, David Roy, Bill Thomson New Boston CERT Director, Lt. Robert Marcoux Goffstown PD Missing from picture: William Cava