President Bush Honors Cert 1 Nyc

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), a former New York City Police Officer and a founding member of CERT 1 NYC is announcing that an event is planned for Monday, December 4, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bay Ridge Manor, 476-76th Street in Brooklyn, to publicly recognize CERT 1 NYC’s receipt of the President’s Call to Service Award, the nation’s highest volunteer award. The event will also honor CERT 1 NYC President Lou Trimboli. Founding members will also receive special recognition as well at "CERT NIGHT".

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in, their day-to-day life and when joined together with other likewise prepared people, in and around their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

CERT1NYC History

On September 11th 2001, the communities of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst responded immediately to the catastrophic events of the day. The Office of Councilman Martin J. Golden (a retired and decorated NYPD officer) became a center point for volunteers from western Brooklyn for emergency response.

Thousands of residents and local merchants donated time, food, clothing, water and needed materials. NYPD assisted in coordination of this true grassroots effort lasting for weeks after the attacks. The Office of Emergency Management worked with this volunteer army made entirely of residents from this strategically located community at the gateway to New York Harbor, which includes the only active military base in New York City.

Councilman Golden (now State Senator) held a series of meetings with local associations and groups, including NYPD, OEM, FDNY, local hospitals and the US Army Garrison at Fort Hamilton. The result of these meetings led to the adoption of the FEMA CERT model and formation a steering committee comprised of established community leaders and merchants; each asked to help develop this program.