Nassau County CERT display at library

Island Park Public Library Trustee Joseph Pontecorvo and Library Director Jessica Koenig in front of the Nassau County CERT display. Mr. Pontecorvo has taken the necessary classes and has been certified by CERT.

Courtesy Island Park Library

This month the library’s display is on CERT, Community Emergency Response Team. CERT is a training program that prepares members of the community to respond to emergencies or disasters. In 95% of emergencies, a victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. CERT trains volunteers to provide such assistance until trained emergency personnel arrive. CERT training consists of six classes, which cover such topics as how to indentify hazards, how to extinguish small fires, how to conduct light search and rescue, basic sheltering techniques, basic triage and first aid. CERT training is free. Nassau County CERT is organized under the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. Stop by the Library for more information or check out the CERT website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/oem/cc/cert.