From: Mahone, Scott.Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:53 PM.To: Crouch, Lori; Batcher, Bob; Hemingway, Sandra; Linda.Rubin@vdem.virginia.gov.Cc: Redick, Jim; Mahone, Scott.Subject: Norfolk CERT Class.. Norfolk CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) just completed their eight week course on April 3rd, and was able to test their new skills in a school exercise on Saturday April 6th at the Ballentine School. In a new schedule, Norfolk CERT worked on a partnership with Portsmouth CERT and decided to hold the same class during the same week. Norfolk’s class was held on Wednesday while Portsmouth held their class on Thursday. This afforded the students the chance to go to either class if something happened in their weekly schedule, such as a civic league or church meeting that month. Since classes were from 6:30-9pm, we had a pot luck dinner every week and shared a meal while our instructors taught the class. This created a warm and friendly setting for the entire course. We offered 7 different instructors for the course and even shared 2 instructors between cities. Bart Drummond with Tidewater Search and Rescue taught both classes on effective search & rescue techniques inside and outside of a building and/or apartment complex. FBI Special Agent Benjamin Hicks taught both classes about terrorism and what is out there in the world, and what we have in our own back yard> both groups really enjoyed hearing from his professional view point... Class cumulated in a drill at the vacant Ballentine School. Cert members responded to an explosion at the local student science fair on the second floor of the bldg. They conducted searches thought-out the bldg, triage and medical treated individuals that were hurt. They practiced their communication skills and followed the Incident Command system they learned in class. Both cities worked together as they would in a real situation and discovered they really could help and make a difference in their communities. This programs helps get average citizens involved in their neighborhood, which helps us build a stronger Norfolk community... .. ..Enclosed are some pictures from the class and exercise. The rest are found on the S/drive, under EOC CERT Exercise April 6th, 2013. The next class is scheduled for the end of June and we plan to prepare new citizens for the upcoming Hurricane Season.. ..Scott Mahone..Norfolk CERT Coordinator.. .. ..Norfolk’s Classes:..Wednesday, February 13th: Disaster Preparedness..Wednesday, February 20th: Fire Safety..Wednesday, February 27th: Medical Operations I..Wednesday, March 6th: Medical Operations II..Wednesday, March 13th: Light Search & Rescue..Wednesday, March 20th: Cribbing Training & CERT Documentation/Organization..Wednesday, March 27th: Terrorism ..Wednesday, April 3rd: Disaster Psychology & Table Top Practical.. Saturday, April 6th: Practical Drill/Exercise (0900-1200