PARTNERSHIP Residents will learn lifesaving techniques

The program will train people to respond before emergency personnel arrive.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Residents can learn to help themselves in disasters through a partnership with Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency & amp; Communications and the township school district.
"There's not enough fire, law enforcement or emergency medical services personnel to go around in an emergency," said Walter Duzzny, county EMA director.
Through the partnership, EMA is offering Community Emergency Response Team training. CERT is a Federal Emergency Management Agency program designed to educate residents about dangers in their neighborhoods and to train them in basic lifesaving techniques.
Training sessions address disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism.
The program has been dubbed "Warriors on the Homefront."
"We're always concerned about student safety and the safety of people in the community," said schools Superintendent Frank Lazzeri.
How it will work
Duzzny said the school district will be a vehicle for disseminating information about the program through classes, PTAs and professional meetings.
"What better cross-representation of people?" he said. "You have all ages, different professions."
People who want to sign up for CERT training may call EMA at (330) 740-2200.
"This is to help you take care of yourself in a large-scale emergency," said James Dorman, township fire chief.
The fact that emergency personnel can't immediately respond to every neighborhood was showcased on the Gulf Coast with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The need for residents to be able to help themselves in an emergency applies whether they live in affluent, middle-class or poor neighborhoods, the fire chief said.
Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson, who lived for 17 years in Florida before becoming the township chief, said it's helpful for residents to know enough to help themselves until emergency responders can get to them.
Duzzny said the partnership with the school will be used as a prototype for the rest of the state.
"What better focus for a community than a school system?" he asked.
Andrew Mitchell and Erik Johnson, both juniors at the high school, said they plan to start taking the training this winter. Both teens learned about it through the school's Key Club.
"I just want to learn how to help out," Mitchell said.
denise_dick@vindy.com