CERT Training is Key to Post-Storm Safety and Survival in the BID
Coconut Grove Business Improvement District
The BID develops programs to keep the District clean, secure, funds marketing and special events in Coconut Grove!
There’s that moment immediately after a major storm passes when you slide open the shutters, step out your front door, and realize two things: you survived a hurricane; and “now what?”?
The idea that you, your neighbors, and neighboring businesses are going to be on your own during the early stages following a catastrophic disaster is sobering to say the least. But this is quite likely going to be the case until rescue services are activated.
Thankfully, the City of Miami is providing a program called Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that’s designed to help neighborhoods prepare for this scenario and be able to respond in a safe and organized manner. And the Coconut Grove BID strongly encourages its members to register for the training. The next training class right here in the Grove on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Miami Fire Training Center, 3425 Jefferson St., Miami, FL 33133. Space is limited so it is advised to enroll immediately. This class is valuable, and it will fill up quickly.
“Our goal is to have a resilient business neighborhood and be up to speed, trained, and prepared on the front end,” says BID Acting Director Cynthia Seymour. “To make that happen, we need local business owners who care about our community and who want to be actively engaged in working with us to ensure the safety and stability of our commercial district.”
Seymour noted that this invitation for BID members to be CERT-certified is part of a broader strategy whereby a BID-wide emergency management plan is currently being developed and implemented by the BID Operations Team. The goal is to have 10 to 20 people on our hyper-local community organization team, 13 of whom will be CERT trained and certified.
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Serving as Grove BID communications liaisons, these volunteers will be our “feet on street” identifying local issues that need immediate attention. Such matters will then be conveyed to members of the BID Ops team who have been trained separately to triage directly on our area’s behalf at the respective city and county communications centers.?
“As a trained CERT team member serving our local community, I can say that prior to the training, I did not know what I did not know. And the simulations are eye-opening.” says Seymour. “And honestly, it will be the best education you will ever get, because after a catastrophic disaster, citizens with proper training are prepared to work together as a team to facilitate access to resources and quicker recovery.”
CERT Training Includes:
Questions? Email: [email protected] or visit the City of Miami CERT webpage.