Brooks, MCC And NTID Partner To Offer Emergency Response Training For Deaf Residents

From: NTID - Dec 17, 2004

For Immediate Release
Friday, December 17, 2004

BROOKS, MCC AND NTID PARTNER TO OFFER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING FOR DEAF RESIDENTS

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced that Monroe County is conducting a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program specifically designed for people in the deaf community. The program, which will be sign language interpreted, is designed to prepare citizens to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of an emergency or disaster situation.

"By making the CERT program accessible to deaf residents, we are broadening our base of well-trained citizen volunteers who can assist in the event of a public emergency," said Brooks, who noted that our area has one of the largest deaf communities in the entire nation.

Taught by trained emergency professionals, the Monroe County CERT program focuses on giving participants hands-on practical training to prepare them to assist in response to community emergencies. Course topics include disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and disaster simulation. More than 100 citizens have received CERT training since Brooks launched the program as a part of Monroe County's Citizen Corps initiative in June of this year.

"Everyday citizens can use the skills they learn through CERT to help save lives," noted Glenn V. Greibus, Program Coordinator in MCC's Homeland Security Management Institute, which is offering the program. "The information they receive in their training will enable them to better help themselves and their neighbors in the event of an emergency."

Officials from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology are working with County and MCC personnel to promote awareness of the program and to assist in the customization of the course for a deaf audience.

"This is another example of how community partnerships are making our community stronger," said Brooks. "I am proud that we are leading the way by providing what may be the first class in the nation specifically geared to the deaf community."

PROGRAM DETAILS

The sign language interpreted CERT program will be run weekly from January 25 through March 8. Courses will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Facility, 1190 Scottsville Road in Chili. Participants must complete all training modules to graduate. An optional class on CPR/AED is offered on March 15.

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate and a CERT kit complete with safety equipment such as helmet, goggles, flashlight, vest, and basic first aid supplies.

The deadline for registration is January 18, 2005. Space is limited and only the first 25 individuals who register will be accepted.

For further information or to register for the program, contact Glenn Greibus, Program Coordinator by e-mail at ggreibus@monroecc.edu or, by phone during business hours at 279-4116 or 442-4216 (TTY).

###

Media Inquiries, contact:
Department of Communications at 428-2380