CLICK on the image to ENLARGE Posing are Gloria Schwarz, Councilor Nilka Alvarez-Rodriguez, Fire Chief Peter Takvorian, Lawrence Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, Elia Nieves, John Felci, Patriot Ambulance’s Marketing Director; two members of Patriots Ambulance Team, Jeff Long and Don Girard; Sergeant Donald Cronin, Tim Billborough, Captain Kevin Loughlin and Jim Hoole in front.

CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them. The Lawrence CERT works under the direction of the Fire and Police Departments, and a civilian board that is composed by Jim Hoole, President; Tim Billborough, Operations Chief; Elia Nieves, Treasurer and Gloria Schwarz, Clerk.