Graduation for HCFD emergency volunteers

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduated 46 citizens Tuesday evening at the GAINESVILLE - Nearly 50 people graduated Tuesday night from the Hall County Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class.

The 46 graduates received their certification after more than 20 hours of training to prepare themselves to help friends, family and self in times of a large scale emergency.

They are: Dexter Banks, John Brandon, Keith Chandler, Donald Cockerham, Donald Collins, Tilitha Collins, Marsha Conner, Robert Copelan, Darryl Dale, Frank Dalrymple, Lamar Grier, Sarah Grier, Doug Hooks, Myrna Hooks, Ken Hughey, Ruth Jones, Terry Jones, Phillip Loggins, Mike McWilliams, Robert Murphy, Ed Nance, Albert Nixon, Rev. Corinthaus Richie, Michael Riemann, Perry Roper, and Robert Scott. Also: Donald Shanks, Jeffrey Smith, Dixie Stewart, Kathleen Stoehr, Chuck Stowers, Richard Taylor, Clyde Thomason, Michael Timmins, William Tyson, Tony Volrath, Rebina Warthen, Jack Whidden, JoAnn Whidden, Kelly Davidson, Jerry Hulsey, Mike Quatro, Beverley Boaz, Art Bilyeu, and Russell Willard.

Diana Dean, Public Relations Coordinator for Hall County Fire Services, encouraged participation in such programs because "during a large scale incident emergency, (emergency) services personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT these graduates will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. This is a way for the citizens of Hall County to acquire critical skills to help their community during an emergency or disaster."