The White County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is getting one of the trailer which is like the one shown in the picture accompanying this article.
The trailers were funded through a FEMA Citizens Corps grant and assigned by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to the eight GEMA regions throughout the state.
The 7' x 16' trailers will carry generators, entry tools, weather radios, fire extinguishers, CPR mannequins, cribbing, medical supplies and other equipment. They will be primarily used for training CERT teams in each of the regions, but will also be available for deployment to actual disasters or emergencies.
"One of the goals of homeland security is to help better prepare American citizens for emergencies," said GEMA Director Mike Sherberger. "This equipment will help to accomplish that mission here in Georgia."
CERT teams are designed to prepare citizens to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency responders may not be immediately able to help everyone in an affected area, citizens can make the difference by using CERT training and organization to save live and protect property.
The training covers basic skills that are important to know in the event of a disaster. Emergency officials say that, with training and practice, citizens will be able to do the greatest good for the largest number of people, while protecting themselves, in the wake of a disaster. There are approximately 30 CERT teams in Georgia.
CERT training trailers, which cost $14,500 each, have been assigned to the White County Emergency Management Agency, the Lee County Fire Department, the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency, the Jones County Emergency Management Agency, the Liberty County Emergency Management Agency, the Gordon County Emergency Management Agency, the Fulton County Fire Department, and the Atkinson County Emergency Management Agency. In addition, some individual public safety agencies, including the Americus Fire Department, have purchased the units.
The CERT teams will be able to check out the equipment for their training programs, but the agencies to which the trailers have been assigned, are held responsible for the equipment.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/1/142965