The Community Emergency Response Team of The Villages conducted house-to-house checks on the Historic Side in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
“Concern was expressed about Villagers on five streets because of power issues. This area subsequently expanded to 15 streets,” said David Bussone of CERT.
With permission of The Villages Public Safety Department, CERT put together 10 teams of two people to conduct house/resident checks. “Our medical team provided care to four individuals transported to our command post,” Bussone said.
Twenty-six CERT members checked on more than 356 homes on 15 streets.
“This was our fourth storm-related activity related to Irma. Team member training is essential, but learning how to improvise and adapt to new situations is just as important,” he said.
CERT offered special thanks to the staff of the Paradise Recreation Center for allowing them to use their facility as a base of operations. “And especially to John Rohan who supported our efforts and made several facilities open to Villages residents who are still without power or air conditioning,” Bussone added.
During Irma, CERT also staffed emergency shelters set up a The Villages High School and Paradise Recreation Center.
Learn more about CERT at http://www.certofthevillages.org/
