Borough Wide
CERT-ain cheers
Congratulations are shouted out to Community Emergency Response Team Deputy Team Chief William Vitale on his receiving the John D. Solomon Award for Exemplary Service in Emergency Preparedness Education along with 111 Community Emergency Response Team volunteer members on their graduation held on Feb. 13 at the 32BJ Training Fund in Manhattan.
Members of the Solomon family — including Abby Solomon, Rebecca Solomon, and Sara Solomon — as well as NYC Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner Calvin Drayton recognized Vitale, a member of the team since 2008, for his extensive efforts to prepare the Southern Brooklyn community for emergencies.
The graduates completed a training program in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills that included lessons in fire safety, search and rescue, traffic management, first aid, and triage. After completing training, volunteers support their local communities by assisting city agencies that prepare for and respond to emergencies. Seventy-three of the graduates participated in a 10-week training program last fall, while 38 participated in a five-week expedited summer program, which met twice weekly.
“CERT volunteers play a vital role in how New York City communities prepare for and respond to emergencies,” said the city’s Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “These graduates will be joining a proud group of New Yorkers who are ready and willing to help their friends and neighbors when we need them most.”
Standing O presents the Standing O to all!
