Eighteen more emergency response volunteers have completed their training to join the Emergency Response Team (ERT), which helps the Norwalk Health Department (NHD) prepare for and respond to emergencies. Mayor Harry Rilling and Director of Health Tim Callahan recognized the volunteers at a celebration on Tuesday, May 2, at the Health Department.
These volunteers—community members with both medical and non-medical backgrounds—donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. They will also help to promote healthy living throughout the year. This second class of ERT members includes a range of professions from an aerospace engineer to day care providers, IT professionals and accountants, registered nurses and marketing professionals, among others.
The group will continue to meet monthly, building on their initial training and testing their skills through tabletop exercises and drills. ERT members will support the ongoing programs and services provided by the Health Department.
The next ERT training program will be held in Fall 2017, and spaces are available for the next class of volunteers. People who enjoy giving back to their community, are at least 18 years old, and are interested in joining the ERT should contact Donna Schlegel, Volunteer Coordinator, at dschlegel@norwalkct.org for more information.
About the Norwalk Department of Health: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at www.norwalkhealth.com.
Photo caption: Lucia Rilling and Mayor Harry Rilling (center) join Director of Health Tim Callahan, Health Department staff members, and current Emergency Response Team (ERT) members to recognize the second cohort of ERT members who completed their training this Spring.