I am very proud to report that after several days of hot and difficult volunteer efforts, the Pinelands Regional CERT team members still showed up and participated in our scheduled commitments to support the Medford Freedom Park Fireworks, the Challenge Atlantic City Triathlon, and the ARRL Ham Radio Field Day led by the Burlington County Radio Club K2TD.  For those that question why the CERT helps with parking cars, crowd movement, traffic flow and other community events the answer is simple:  We are practicing the skills that we have been trained to provide when needed in a true emergency - communications, logistics, Incident Command System procedures and overall teamwork.  When a real emergency happens like this terrible storm, we are prepared and practiced to assist and support ourselves, our family, our neighbors, and our communities.                      

73, John Lyons, Team Leader,

Pinelands Regional CERT KD2GER

The Pineland's Regional CERT team was activated several times over the following days.   Some of our activities included:

• Setting up a shelter at Chairville School, Medford.  Luckily the storm damage did not rise to the level of needing the shelter so it was taken down later that night.
  
• Supporting the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Tabernacle by answering phones, keeping on-the-spot log books of damages and incidents, and radio communication operation.
  
• Conducting damage assessments of residential and public buildings and roads,  both in Medford and Tabernacle.
  
• Operating a Point of Distribution (POD) out of the Indian Mills Fire House in Shamong and the EMS building in Medford, supplying bottled and hose water, charging stations for cell phones and access to rest rooms.  The only thing we didn't have was the answer to the most frequently asked question, "When will the power come back on?"
  

Little did we know how relevant learning about electricity would be, because on June 21st our area was hit hard by a fast moving storm that included thunder, lighting, category 1 speed straight line winds, and several reports of tornado activity.  Homes and businesses in the area were without power for anywhere from 2 to 6 days, and downed trees and power lines were everywhere.  

It's been a very busy start to the summer here at the Pinelands Regional CERT Team headquarters.  After the unofficial start to summer with a successful Tabernacle Memorial Day Parade, we hosted the Atlantic City Electric ("ACE") Training Trailer at the corner of New Road just off of Nixon's picnic grounds. ACE sent a group of professional linesmen who volunteer their time to train first responders and support organizations about the dangers and nuances of the high power electric lines that are all around us.  I was amazed to see what happened when they raised a rubber boot (not unlike the type a fireman might wear) to touch one of the live wires - blue fire, lots of smoke and one toasted boot.  Scary stuff, lesson learned.  Stay away from and report those down power lines and leave it to the experts to deal with.

Pinelands Regional CERT Team Leader Message  7/8/2015