Marlboro Graduates First CERT Class

Marlboro's Town Council meeting opened with the graduation of the township's first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at 7 p.m. on July 12 in town hall.

Ten people graduated from the CERT class, which was taught by Marlboro Police Lt. Christopher Cherbini along with several others from the police department, fire department and Marlboro first aid team. For the past 11 weeks CERT trainees learned about disaster preparedness, hazardous materials, terrorism and emergency skills such as first aid and how to put out fires.

"They learn many other things that emergency services usually do on their own, but often need help from the community," Cherbini said as he presented the new team. The graduates each received a green duffle bag with emergency response items, including a green hard hat.

Cherbini also said that the police department would like to do another CERT class in the fall, and are aiming for 25 to 30 volunteers to add to their team. Those interested can find more information at Marlboro CERT's Facebook page.

Despite this being Marlboro's first team, CERT is a nationwide program that started after the events of September 11, 2001. More recently, CERT volunteers from around Monmouth County helped with relief efforts after a water main break in Middletown left hundreds without clean water.