By:Jason Scheer
Malverne now has an additional layer of safety, thanks to the efforts of four residents.
Joe Lanzetta, Robert Giarratano, Ralph Ditto and Anthony Marino, all members of the neighborhood watch, are taking their passion for protection to the next level.
The four Malverne residents have completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT is a training regimen sponsored by, and under the direction of, the Nassau County Office for Emergency Management. It is designed to enhance volunteers' ability to recognize, prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency or disaster.
Lanzetta is the commander of the neighborhood watch, and asked the other three members if they would be interested in enrolling in the CERT program. It takes a special type of person to dedicate so much time to their community, he said, and Lanzetta said his three fellow CERT officers are special, as they are also involved in other community functions.
"To get involved...it has to be something that you want to do. You have to want to do something for other people," he said. "And looking at the people who [are participating in CERT], these are people who are willing to give up their time."
The CERT program came about as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which also prompted Ditto to become involved in neighborhood watch.
"When it happened, I wanted to do something," Ditto said. "If I can help, I will help. I'm not one to sit around and not do anything."
The Sept. 11 attacks provided a painful reminder of the value of fire and police first responders.
"CERT teams are first responders, which is critical," Marino said. "When an emergency occurs, they never have enough people to help, and that's why the CERT team is the first to respond."
After completing their CERT training, the four received a duffle bag filled with supplies, such as helmets, vests, flashlights, gas masks, goggles and first aid kids. However, all the men say CERT training also armed them with a newfound sense of confidence and strength.
"It's like a whole new world opens up," Ditto said. "You don't have to stand by and watch things happen. You can actually stand up and help somebody, without fear of hurting yourself."
Marino echoed Ditto's sentiments. "That feeling of helplessness that you always get when a disaster occurs is slowly being released from us," he said.
Lanzetta said that the Malverne area will eventually field a team of 20 CERT members, and encourages residents to get involved.
"You're giving back something to the community, and I think a majority of the people in this country like to help others in times of need," he said.
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