New CERT Members – 2024
New CERT Members – 2020
Congratulations to Lori Weinel and Steven Myers who completed their 20-Hour Basic CERT training on February 19, 2020. They join the Gerrish Township CERT team and will assist police, fire, regional and state agencies when large scale emergencies occur. Welcome to our team!
CERT Presentation at ACT NOW Community Meeting – Sept. 18, 2017
Thank you to Gerrish CERT Member Mike Briggs who put together and presented a very informative power point presentation on the Community Emergency Response Team at the ACT NOW Community Meeting held on Sept. 18, 2017 at the Gerrish Township Municipal Center. Thank you to CERT members John Ellis, Bob Barber, Ed Thoma and CERT Coordinator Sharon Zacny for setting up the CERT Trailer so that the attendees could get an up-close look at this very important Emergency Response apparatus and all of the equipment and supplies that it houses.
CERT Trailer Training – May 8, 2017
Members of the CERT team attended the CERT Trailer Training at Fire Station #3 on May 8, 2017. The CERT Trailer Project is complete and the committee reviewed the functions, storage capability and first out volunteer responsibilities for trailer when needed for call-outs. The trailer is equipped with white boards that can also be mounted and utilized on the outside of the trailer, a generator, tables, chairs, a communication desk, storage for easy-up tent and all of the equipment and supplies that would be used by CERT. The trailer is currently being stored inside of Fire Station #3 and can be towed with a standard trailer hitch hook up.
Landing Zone Training – March 18, 2017
Members of the CERT team attended the Landing Zone Training Class that was held at the Roscommon County Blodgett Memorial Airport in Markey Township on Saturday, March 18th. This class was hosted by the Gerrish Township Police Department and was instructed by Flight Paramedic Lee Smith from North Flight Aero Med out of Traverse City. Unfortunately, due to dense fog conditions, the helicopter was unable to make the flight and land for a demonstration. However, attendees learned how to set up Landing Zones for the newer helicopters which require a larger area to land due to the bigger size of the aircraft and the “rotor wash” area. The basic functions of the helicopter were discussed along with safety, communications, procedures for requesting a helicopter and rules for creating a safe landing zone area. Members from other area law enforcement, fire and EMS departments were also in attendance and this was one of the four mandatory scheduled CERT trainings for 2017. Thank you Flight Paramedic Lee Smith and North Flight Aero Med for presenting this free class. North Flight Aero Med is a division of Spectrum Health and Munson Medical Centers.
CERT CLASS FINAL – Mock Disaster Training Scenario – January 24, 2017
Five new CERT members completed their 20-hour Basic CERT Training on 01/24/17 with a final written test and a practical hands-on mock disaster training scenario that took place at the Roscommon Area Public Schools campus. The mock disaster training covered building search and rescue, first aid/triage, radio communications, Incident Command System, scene safety, fire extinguishing and a de-briefing. Thank you to the Gerrish Police Officers, Sgt. Patchin, CERT Coordinator Sharon Zacny, CERT volunteers and volunteer victims that helped make this exercise a success!! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWEST CERT MEMBERS: Grace LaBonte, Rachel LaBonte, Cameron Thurston, David Udy and James Vasko. These members join the Gerrish CERT team making the team 30-member strong!!
Basic CERT Class to Start December 7, 2016
Gerrish Twp. Police Department will be running a 6-week Basic CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) class during December 2016 and January 2017. This course consists of 20 hours of classroom and practical training in disciplines such as first aid, triage, search and rescue, utility shut off, fire safety, disaster preparedness, use of personal protective equipment, communications and the Incident Command System. Once certified these volunteers are crucial in giving immediate support to our local, state and federal emergency services. They also provide valuable traffic safety and crowd control in our local area during large scale community activities and events. The Gerrish CERT team currently has 34 volunteer members. Classes will begin on December 7th and end on January 25th with a final written and practical exercise. Classes will run on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Gerrish Township Police Department. The class dates are 12/7/16, 12/14/16, 1/4/17, 1/11/17, 1/18/17 and 1/25/17. If you would like more information or are interested in joining the Gerrish CERT team contact Chief Brian Hill at 821-5207 Ext. 287 or Officer Shannon Fick at 821-5207 Ext. 289. Class size is limited so sign up now if you are interested in participating in this class. To learn more about CERT, go to our website at www.gerrishpolice.org and click on the CERT tab. You can also follow our Facebook page at Gerrish Township Police for updates and scheduling for CERT events.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
December 7, 2016 – Unit 1 Disaster Preparedness & Unit 6 CERT Organization
December 14, 2016 – Units 3&4 Disaster Medical Operations (Part 1 & 2)
January 4, 2017 – Unit 2 Fire Safety & Unit 7 Disaster Psychology
January 11, 2017 – Unit 8 Terrorism and CERT
January 18, 2017 – Unit 5 Light Search and Rescue
January 25, 2017 – Written and Practical Final with Simulated Disaster
CERT Training Exercise 10-8-16
CERT members attended one of the annual required training exercises on 10-8-16 which was a “Fun Run Poker Run.” Four teams set out with their back packs, maps and clues to find five different locations throughout the township. Once they reached each location they were required to complete a training exercise. The training covered Indoor Search & Rescue, Outdoor Search & Rescue, Triage, First Aid, Splinting and Communications (I/C). The teams were awarded cards for successful completion at each site, or had cards taken away for not completing all outlined tasks. The team with the best poker hand at the end won gift cards to Fred’s Restaurant and each team driver was supplied with a fuel card for gas. The winning team of this event included CERT members John Klein, Rick Meeks and Jeff Morrell. The entire group enjoyed a lunch provided by CERT at the debriefing afterwards. Thank you to all of the CERT members that attended, the volunteer victims and proctors that made the event a success!!
no images were found
CERT Search & Rescue Training Exercise 5-18-16
Over 35 people participated in a Search and Rescue Training Exercise which covered objectives such as Operations Command & Incident Command protocols, search and rescue procedures, search grids, span of control, communications and patient assessment and handling. The simulation included two separate incidents occurring simultaneously. One of the search areas was the woods running north of the Gerrish Police Department to E. Higgins Lake Drive and the other was a wooded area off of W. Pine adjacent to County Road 104. The goals were to locate four victims/patients, 2 weapons, a bag of ammunition and some meth lab debris. Participants were from the Gerrish Township CERT team, Gerrish Township Police Department, Roscommon County Sheriff Ed Stern, Sgt. Angie Ackley, Roscommon County Sheriff Auxiliary members, and family volunteers (victims and radio operator).
This was a great training with all teams meeting their goals and objectives in a timely, organized fashion. These scenarios include regular briefings and debriefings and are held 2-3 times per year to help CERT volunteers and community emergency services work together comfortably and effectively so they are always ready for true emergency call outs.
Thank you everyone for your participation, service and commitment to the CERT team and your community!
CERT Class Practical Exercise 3-23-16
Eight new CERT members participated in a mock disaster training which was part of the required practical testing that wrapped up a 6-week course. The mock disaster incident was held at the Roscommon Middle School and included training disciplines in fire safety, scene safety, search and rescue, triage, first aid, disaster preparedness, use of personal protective equipment, communications and the Incident Command System.
Invalid Displayed Gallery
CERT Team Building Exercise 11-11-15
Invalid Displayed Gallery
no images were found
TERT/CERT Basic Training Class November-December 2014
10 Teens and 3 Adults registered to attend training classes at Gerrish Township Police Department in 2014. TERT (Teen Emergency Response Team) is a branch of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and this class was organized by RHS Senior Hailey Eanes as her Senior Project. She was assisted by Chief Brian Hill, Officer Norm LaBonte and CERT Coordinator Sharon Zacny.
Invalid Displayed Gallery
no images were found
CERT Mock Light Indoor Search and Rescue Photos from 11/21/2013
Invalid Displayed Gallery
no images were found
CERT Training 2/28/13
Invalid Displayed Gallery
CERT Mock Search and Rescue Photos from 10-23-08 Training are shown below
Invalid Displayed Gallery
no images were found
02-17-07 CERT Table Top Simulated Emergency Response Exercise
With Gerrish Township Emergency Services, The South Higgins Lake State Park Personnel, Gerrish Township Fire/EMS Explorer and Roscommon County Central Dispatch
no images were found
The CERT Team has exercised during a Mock storm disaster at the South end of Gerrish Township. The disaster included multiple calls for service throughout the Township to include downed power lines, gas leaks, injured campers, lost hikers in the trails during the storm, plane crash and a pregnant paramedic going into labor. Much was learned during the exercise and a fine meal at the Fire Department followed.
