It's Been a Busy Few Weeks for Hamden CERT

The Hamden Community Emergency Response Team  has had a few busy weeks assisting firefighters at brush fires and helping out with a community events. 

On Oct. 18, the team assisted the Town Center Park Commission with the first Annual Food Truck Festival. CERT assisted the thousands of patrons with traffic and parking management, along with supplying a First Aid Station. 

On Oct. 26 CERT was activated for an emergency response to Sleeping Giant State Park for a large five-acre brush fire. The team assisted with rehabilitation of the many paid and volunteer firefighters who battled the large area of fire for more than five hours. The team also supplemented extra portable lighting with their Mobile Command Center. 

North Haven, Cheshire, Walliingford and Bethany firefighters supplied mutual aid at the fire, along with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection firefighters. 

CERT responded again on Sunday, Oct. 27 with a team to assist firefighters with rehabilitation as fire crews extinguished and overhauled the remaining pockets of fire during another five-hour operation.

On Nov. 2 CERT assisted the Hamden Arts Commission with parking for the Saturday Concert that was held at Hamden High School. The team assisted the patrons with parking and assisted many of the handicapped patrons so they could enjoy the concert. 

On Nov. 5 CERT was activated for an emergency response to Blue Trail, where a large brush fire was threatening two homes. CERT again supplied the paid and volunteer firefighters with rehabilitation to prevent any medical problems for the firefighters. 

Because of the very tough terrain and the very large areas of fire and elevation changes, the process of fighting these brush fires is very physically demanding on firefighters. As always, it was an honor for CERT to assist our firefighters who are always there for us when needed. 

The CERT Members will be meeting again on Nov. 13 to renew CPR and AED Certifications at their monthly meeting. We would like to thank our community for their ongoing support of Hamden CERT.