CERT in Action!
Belmont, Mass. CERT Helps Quench Community's Thirst
The Belmont, Mass. CERT recently came to the aid of their community during a water emergency by helping distribute bottled water to local residents. The emergency was the result of a broken water main that left 2.5 million people in 30 jurisdictions without a fresh supply of water.
Two dozen CERT members assembled at the local high school on May 2, 2010, to distribute more than 1,700, 24-packs of bottled water provided by the state. The town’s Connect CTY system, which calls each household with information in case of emergencies, alerted and informed residents of the water distribution.
Citizens drove, walked, or biked to pick up the water, with each resident allowed one 24-pack of water. CERT members also helped local police direct traffic and checked identification to ensure only Belmont citizens received water.
Leo Saidnawey, Belmont’s Emergency Management Agency Director, said the delivery of water to residents would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, without the CERT members. Members were eager to help, with some calling to ask what they could do before the details of the distribution were complete.
Allen Phillips, EMAC Region 1 Lead State Representative of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Belmont resident, also praised the CERT’s efforts during the water emergency. “Everything went very smoothly,” he said. He was also “impressed that they [Belmont CERT] are able to support themselves and do not utilize state support.”
For more information, please contact Allen Phillips at Allen.Phillips@state.ma.us.